- Family and Society
- Conversion
Conversion last name
Question
Do you have to change your surname when you convert to Judaism? And what is the meaning of changing your name?
Answer
Shalom!
You definitely don't have to change your family name, just as many Jews from birth have a variety of last names, from languages of all of the different exiles, including Yiddish, German, Russian, Arabic etc. Nevertheless, of course it would be commendable and a nice idea to choose a Hebrew last name to feel and be seen just like any other Jew, and to be proud of your newly chosen people. Many rabbis actually Hebraicized their names upon making aliya to the Land of Israel, to feel that much more Jewish (like Rabbis Neria, Yisraeli, Goren, Yashar, Ra’anan, and many more), as I did myself (from Chwat to Shvat)! As you probably are aware, the halachic name for aliyot to the Torah, ketuva for marriage etc., will be Ben-Avraham, the son of Avraham.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

Do you get your fathers tribe if you convert?
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 24, 5781

Conversion of Jews by Moslems & Christians
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 4, 5781

Is conversion an option?
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 27, 5782
converts
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Kislev 24, 5782

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

baruch hamavdil
Adar I 23, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771

Delaying aliya for career and studies
Adar II 25, 5771

Writing a Torah Scroll in English
Adar II 25, 5771

eyebrow tattoo
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 6, 5778

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Popcorn at the cinema
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 8, 5773

Tablet K Kosher
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Kislev 26, 5781

melave malka
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 4, 5782

Preparation for Davening
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 7, 5782

A Middle Name that Won’t be/Isn’t Used
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 11, 5782
