What's in a name?

Everything. When I go out with friends to a bar or social event that is not solely Jewish, I don’t have to wear a Megan David to state that I’m Jewish. My name, Esther Cohen, says it all. There are not many names that are more Jewish than mine, besides maybe my sister, Miriam Cohen. Names contain our identity. Cohen is the “Smith” of the Jewish world and my first name is biblical, which most of the time resembles a religious affiliation.

Last Saturday night, I was at a bar and started to chat with a guy next to me. I did not assume he was Jewish, though he was dark, short, stalky, and hairy—the usual Jewish characteristics. I introduced myself and he asked me if I was named after Queen Esther from Purim? I was a little taken a back and responded with an, “oh, so you're Jewish?" type of response. A few minutes into the conversation, I learned his name was Avi and we went on to speak for close to 20 minutes. As we parted ways, I gave Avi my card and he emailed me 2 days later. "Hi Queen Esther. It was great meeting you Saturday night. Hopefully I can see you before Purim.”

I have a date set up with Avi next week. Stay tuned.

Another time that my name benefited me was when I was traveling in London alone. After a long day of walking around the city I went to the Hilton Bar to have a glass of wine. I was chatting with some chaps and the bartender. When I went to pay for my drink the bartender asked if I was Jewish. I hesitated at first because I didn’t know his background, but I would never hide my religion, so I said yes. He smiles and asks me if I would join his family for Shabbat dinner the next night. All you have to do is smile and introduce yourself because you never know when you are going to meet your beshert.