Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #288560 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 250 pages

About the Author
Alfred J. Kolatch, a graduate of the Teachers Institute of Yeshiva University and its College of Liberal Arts, was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, which subsequently awarded him the Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa. From 1941 to 1948 he served as rabbi of congregations in Columbia, South Carolina, and Kew Gardens, New York, and as a chaplain in the United States Army. In 1948 he founded Jonathan David Publishers, of which he has since been president and editor-in-chief.

Rabbi Kolatch has authored numerous books, the most popular of which are Great Jewish Quotations, How to Live a Jewish Life, What Jews Say About God, This Is the Torah, and the best-selling Jewish Book of Why and its sequel, The Second Jewish Book of Why. Several of his works deal with nomenclature, about which he is an acknowledged authority. The New Name Dictionary and The Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew First Names are his most recent works on the subject. Other books by the author include Our Religion: The Torah, The Jewish Heritage Quiz Book, The Jewish Mourner's Book of Why, Who's Who in the Talmud, and The Family Seder.

In addition to his scholarly work, Rabbi Kolatch is interested in the work of the military chaplaincy and has served as president of the Association of Jewish Chaplains of the Armed Forces and as vice-president of the interdenominational Military Chaplains Association of the United States.

Customer Reviews

Very good Name book
I wonderful read a lot of names and pretty good meanings. I lkied it and you will to.

A good shem is better than good shemen
As it is said, 'a good name is better than fragrant oil (tov shem mi shemen tov)." A straightforward good guide, and listings of male and female names, selected from Kolatch's other works which date back to 1948. Also includes about 200 unisex names, such as Ari, Avi, Dodi, Ariel, Doron, Lior, Sharon, Tzipor and Zohar. For each listing, Kolatch provides a meaning and a Hebrew equivalent. For example, Larry is Latin and directs the reader to see "Laurence." Laurence's listing states that is is latin meaning 'laurel crown.' The Hebrew equivalent is listed as Kalil. Mario's listing is akin to Marcus, meaning warlike as in "Mars.". The Hebrew equivalent is listed as Mordechai. ZIPORA will direct the reader to TZIPORA, which, when found, states that it is from the Hebrew, meaning "bird." It's Hebrew equivalent is naturally, "Tzipora." Listings for Tzipori (my bird) and Tziporit and Tzipi occur close to Tzipora. George is listed as Greek, meaning farmer; its Hebrew equivalent is listed as Choresh. But there is no listing for Choresh. The book is fine for 98% of readers, but if you are wondering whether you should name your child Gilad with an Aleph or an Ayin, then you need to consult a book with Hebrew characters or a local Hebraist. I would like the book better if it included Hebrew spellings, and if it listed some famous personages for each name listing. For example, the listing for Boaz should mention where he occurs in the stort of Ruth; or Jose should mention the Aramaic speaking rabbis by that name