Workshop 2 - Names and Identities by Eli Rubineau

On Sunday, October 23rd, Diller Montreal cohort 9 had a workshop about names and personal identities. Before we got into it, we started with a check in and caught each other up on what has been happening since last workshop. Then, some committees presented: The Israel update committee did a news report and we discussed the UNESCO controversy about the Temple Mount, and the Parsha committee did a quiz about sukkot since there was no parsha this week, and we learned about the holiday's customs.

As we got into the main part of the workshop, we started out talking with partners about what our names mean and what where they come from, and sharing with the group. Hearing so many different origin stories was such an eye opening experience.

After that, a quote was posed to the group. It reads "Every man has three names: one by which his parents call him; another, by which he is known to the outside world; and a third, the name which his own deeds have procured for him." We discussed in small groups what we thought it meant to have multiple names, and some examples of them.

Next, we watched a couple small documentary clips on the subject of names. We came together as a whole to talk about how a name can affect the way someone lives their life, and how important it is to make your name yours.

The last activity was to make a collage of magazine clippings that represents our identity. We used the collages to explain a little more about ourselves to the group and talk about our personalities and preferences.

After a small wrap up and summary, we wished each other chag sameach and parted ways. Until the next time, cohort 9.

by Eli Rubineau