What's in a (Jewish) Name?

For Crypto-Jews who returned openly to Judaism, use of a Jewish name,  perhaps the one they had before converting, perhaps one their parents  had secretly given them, or perhaps one they adopted upon their return  to Judaism, was clearly an important aspect of their renewed identity.  How important is our name to our identity today? How important was a  Jewish name to a Jew’s identity throughout the ages? What, in fact, is a  “Jewish name”? We can think about – and perhaps discuss – these  questions while studying the case of a Portuguese Jew, a former  converso, residing in the Ottoman Empire. He inquired about the use of  his Christian name in correspondence with business connections and  family who are located in Iberia. His concern was that the appearance of  his Jewish name in any correspondence might endanger the recipient, or  his own property being managed there. Does the use of his Christian name  indicate a lack of loyalty to his Jewish faith?  

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About the speaker: Debby  Koren is an independent researcher in the fields of halakha and  responsa literature. She has lectured and taught Talmud and halakha in  informal and formal adult settings. She has a Ph.D. in mathematics from  The City University of New York and an M.A. in Talmud and Halakha from  the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem. Koren's latest book, "Responsa  in a Historical Context" is out now and can be purchased 20% off with  discount code KOREN at  https://www.academicstudiespress.com/9798887193595/responsa-in-a-historical-context/