Would you put your name on your business if it's very Jewish?

Shapiro and Shapiro? Irv Mann’s Jewelry? Goldman Sachs? Lowe’s? It certainly didn’t bother them.

If the name is clever and people get it then why not? The business will be judged quickly by the product and service it provides.

Jewish Transvestites: “If I were a bitch man…”

@JLeslie Laughs, you’re asking this on St Patty’s Day? This is the US, go for it.

This isn’t the 1930s and 1940s; I would say you should use it if you want to.

@janbb You think there would be problems in the 30’s or 40’s? I don’t know, I’m just asking. I wasn’t even thought of till much later.

Either a person is comfortable with their identity and heritage, or they are not.

Not wanting to put one’s Jewish (or Irish, or Arab, or whatever) name on their business is basically saying “I’m not secure in my identity, and I want to hide it”. This isn’t really a business question as much as a self-image question.

So Perkowitz’s Party Store or Edelbaum’s Eatery Events or Cohen’s Cabaret are all perfectly fine names if the owner is confident in his/her identity,

@Adirondackwannabe I was thinking of all the actors who were Jewish who changed their names around then and even later. Paul Muni, Kirk Douglas, Charles Bronson, Woody Allen, Joan Blondell, Tony Curtis etc…....

@janbb – that was in the 40s and 50s – a couple generations ago and not long after WW2. I think the US has changed,

@janbb True, good point. Hmm, something to think on.

@elbanditoroso Read my first post; that was exactly my point. @Adirondackwannabe asked for clarification.

You can always claim that it is German, or Russian, or Japanese. Shapiro definitely sounds Japanese.

With respect to @janbb and @elbanditoroso, I fear shades of antisemitism shade are alive and well in many places in the U.S. Though I’m both reluctant and sad to say it since I’m Jewish myself, I personally would not advertise my cultural heritage in a business name.

I think it’s more a matter of whether or not the name is easy to spell and whether or not the name is easy to pronounce. Also, I think the name should give something to the name of the business, not take away from it. For example, (and I’m thinking of some ethnic names from the very multi-ethnic area that I work in) “Lewandowski’s Cigar Lounge” would probably have me thinking that of all the names in the world to choose from, they have to put their own name on the business? “Mastrogiacomo Nail Salon.” Of all the names to give to a nail place, they have to put their own? To me, it’s got less to do with the “Jewish” aspect and more to do with the name itself.

Really depends on what the actual name is. Heavily ethnic names tend to be cumbersome/difficult for others to pronounce. If it’s not heavily ethnic then I doubt most folks will really think much about it being Jewish or otherwise.

@janbb

Lots of actors of all kinds of ethnicities take stage names. This has more to do with marketability than it does with being Jewish (or anything else). Honestly, Kirk Douglas looks better on a marquee and rolls off the tongue easier than Issur Danielovitch does. Natalie Portman is more marketable than Neta-Lee Herschlag. And Tom Cruise looks better than Thomas Mapother IV.

I’m not Jewish, but I’ve never been a “put-my-name-on-my-business” sort of person, so I would never choose to use my own name on it anyway. Do I think businesses are targeted for hate crimes because they are visibly Jewish? Sometimes, depending on where you live.

You’ll probably hear about one case per year of something being spray painted or broken in this town because it was visibly Jewish or Muslim. Mostly, this is kids being idiots. And then, occasionally there are businesses that get targeted for harm because of the mafia (whether Italian or Russian). So, it’s not just about being Jewish.

But I don’t feel that any of this scares people away from making choices with their business names or symbols or whatever. This kind of crime is just not frequent enough, and it’s not intense enough to affect the more positive aspects of working within one’s community. The vast majority of people around you are going to be very supportive and protective, if your business is a good one and you’re good to people. At least, that’s what I see. Probably, it is a very different experience (in the moment) for those who have been targeted.

I will also add that we have a large Hasidic community, and people in that neighbourhood range from being extremely tolerant and supportive to being downright horrible to them. There have been various efforts over the years to make their way of life impossible through changes to zoning and bylaws. They are being harassed by the local government in their community. Hiding their religion is obviously not an option for them – there is no way for them to avoid this. However, I think people’s reaction to the Hasidim is quite separate from the way they relate to Jews in general.

Alan Dershowitz aside, I agree with the people above who say those days are long past. There may still be remnants of anti-Semitism in the backwoods, but not in the Middle Class America I’ve known. Maybe I’m just naive. I suppose there are still people who think Jewish lawyers are better than Gentiles because they are perceived as arguing about everything all the time from a young age, or that a Jewish friend can get you a good price on anything because they come from a milenia-old culture of business and banking.

But blanket statements, even the ones that appear positive, are misleading and ultimately disappointing at best, and dangerous at worst—as anyone who has read a modicum of human history knows. I imagine these beliefs to be carried by the same type of person who believes that all black people are great dancers, or all black men have huge cocks, or all Asians are good at math, or all Ameirindians are more in touch with the Oneness of the Earth and Universe, or white people have no rhythm, or can’t play basketball and smell like wet dogs in the rain. I wouldn’t place any significant bets on any of this when concerning any individual from any of these groups. The odds are that I would lose. And for me, that’s the gut check.

Concerning name changes:
I used to change little Laurie Horowitz’ diapers back when she was the infant daughter of Stan (Michael) and Cindy Horowitz when Stan was a visiting professor at Sonoma State College. We were next door neighbors, you might say—the Horowitz’ lived in a century-old victorian on the next ridgetop from me. I was a student and I needed the money, and her parents needed a night out away from the baby every once in awhile. Later, I went of to Europe for a decade. When I came back. little Laurie had morphed into Winona Ryder, the girl interrupted.

Her father was and is an amazing professor, archivist, researcher and author, famous in his field. Her mother was and is a successful author who writes about feminism and the social upheavals in America during those days that I babysat Laurie. I always felt Winona gave up a lot when she changed her name to a company that rents large trucks. I thought it was a mistake as she comes from a long line of accomplished academics. But what do I know. I’ve never been accused of being in step with the times or a maven of popular opinion.

@Espiritus_Corvus But you’re not a purveyor of narishkeit either.

@janbb What is narishkeit? Yes, my Jewish roots, or lack thereof are showing.

Narishkeit = silliness, foolishness.

Thanks. I learn something every day on here.

The US is a huge supporter of Israel, so you would largely NOT offend anyone or drive off customers.
You may alienate those who are Anti-Zionist (the KKK or Arab extremists living here). You run a small risk of Israel committing an act that angers the rest of the world (they drop a nuke on Iran).
I think you will be fine.

So long as the business isn’t related to another ethnicity (ie Goldstein’s Chinese Food), I’d say go for it.

@filmfann I wouldn’t confuse political support for Israel with personal support for individual Jewish people. Especially since that political support seems to be grounded in a Christian faith that requires the Jews to be in Israel during the end times. It’s a rather selfish kind of support.

@dappled_leaves

Indeed. Many of the Christians claiming support for Israel in this country seem to be actively hoping/praying for war to break out in Israel. At least that’s been my experience growing up in conservative Christian churches.

I can’t help but think of the line you hear in so many movies, “It’s business, not personal”. The name should attract business, not repel it. If it’s a Jewish Deli, a Jewish name will attract more business. If it’s next to an Islamic Mosque, it will likely repel it. The name should fit the business and make people comfortable with it. Anything that causes controversy will likely cost you some business. I would never put a Republican sticker on my business. Even in a highly conservative area, there are still some of those pesky Democrats around and I want their business. At least that’s how I see it.

Stand up! I’m not going to make the claim that antisemitism is extinct, but stereotypes can work both ways. Big city folks are much accustomed to the urban legend that when it comes to law, medicine or accounting, “it’s the Jewish doctor you want on that open heart surgery.” Go with the alliteration. Most folks will assume the name was made up to achieve the effect.

I agree with @Jaxk. Depends on the business. There are certain markets where having a Jewish name is excellent marketing (food, law, jewelry, medicine, research, film/entertainment, etc.). Others may not make much sense like a Jewish tree removal company. In that case, going with the lumberjack iconography might be better for business.

Retail, events AND lodging? My first thought is that it’s going to be very difficult to do all of those things well. To do even one of those correctly is difficult, but to do them all well simultaneously sounds insanely ambitious. Is this going to be like a mall with a hotel in it? Or more like a resort with retail? Just trying to wrap my head around the vision.

I’m actually surprised that people are recommending perpetuation of / capitalization on stereotypes.

@dappled_leaves That’s a big part of marketing: tapping into people’s emotions and associations. I’m not saying Jews can’t or shouldn’t be lumberjacks, just that we tend to associate lumberjacks with Paul Bunyan in this culture. If his name had been Paul Steinberg instead of Bunyan, then the Jewish angle would make more sense.

If he was Paul Steinberg what would he name the Ox?

Finkel Umbrella Frame Company and Finkel Outdoor Furniture never had a problem. Grandpa Ben Finkel (the original) packed a pistol but only to intimidate the union reps. The factory was in the Bronx starting in the early 1930’s when antisemitism was rampant.

@Adirondackwannabe: Bubabla

@gailcalled or maybe… Blue-balah?

@wildpotato Funny, he doesn’t look Blue-ish.

Or Bob Loblaw?

@janbb Oh?

ETA: aha, now I get’cha. I’m slow sometimes…

@wildpotato Boy, his Bubbie has been feeding him a lot of brisket – and I guess it was blue!

@wildpotato “So long as the business isn’t related to another ethnicity (ie Goldstein’s Chinese Food), I’d say go for it.” It just so happens that Goldstein’s serves the best Kung Pao Matzo balls in Queens! They’re right next to Wong’s Deli. ;-p

Whoops: the above quote is from @fluthernutter .

@Brian1946 Haha…that’s awesome!

@Brian1946 – two Wongs don’t make it right

We sometimes call yummy Chinese food Jewish Chinese or Bronx Chinese LOL. I certainly have eaten Kosher Chinese, but that is even a whole different thing from Jewish Chinese. Not to mention “our” tradition if Chinese food on Christmas.

Having said that I do think it’s best if the name makes sense with the type of business as many of you pointed out. I also think the point about a name being not difficult to say or spell is valid.

@elbanditoroso It has zero to do with being comfortable with identity. That answer honestly shocked me. I didn’t anticipate someone thinking or saying that.

It has more to do with swastikas drawn on property, bombs addressed to synagogues, a person being shot in front of the holocaust museum, people being shot at a Jewish nursing home, etc. I might have some of those things not perfect in my memory, current events and history don’t stick in my head well. Those are all relatively recent.

Plus, I always believe in the possibility of one group turning on another. The Jews have been turned on many many times in history. There are still plenty of people out there who believe the Jews own everything, are rich, own the media, have a political stronghold, interfere when they aren’t wanted, and on and on. I don’t mean the majority think that way, I just mean a few stray idiots can really wreak some havoc if they are hateful and paranoid enough.

I tried to find a list of antisemitic violent and nonviolent acts in the last ten years, but I couldn’t easily, and didn’t want to spend too much time on it. Below are some articles that popped up on the topic. Antisemitism is still around. Not that I walk around afraid, I feel grateful to live in a country that I feel overall safe and protected and most of the time in my life religion is a complete non-issue. I also have said more than once that at this time in history many of the Christians in America are fairly obsessed with supporting Jews and Israel.

http://time.com/63960/hate-crimes-anti-semitism/

http://mobile.spectator.org/theamericanspectator/#!/entry/hate-crimes-against-jews-in-us-on-the-rise,52c1131c025312186cabd07e

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_the_United_States

I wouldn’t if my name was Fuchs. I just wouldn’t.

Hahaha! Actually, it would be kind of funny.

We get a big chuckle out of the supermarket chain Schnuck’s.

Reminds me of “Meet the Parents” with Benjamin Focker.

With a name like Smucker’s…

Family owned and operated since 1948, Schmucker’s restaurant in Toledo, Ohio.

@JLeslie Do you have a statistically increased risk of a hate crime? Probably, but I think the odds are still exceptionally low. A synagogue would be the more obvious target. There must be 1,000’s of them in the US. How often are they being vandalized? And when they are vandalized the community always rallies around in support of them. I really wouldn’t worry about that angle.

Now, I’m still curious about the vision of this place. Is it more like a mall with a hotel? Or a resort with retail?

@gorillapaws She didn’t say that these kinds of incidents were increased, only that they still occur. I agree that they still occur. I just doubt very much that it would affect my decision about naming a store.

@JLeslie Regarding the specific type of business, I have no problem with the person’s last name being in the name of the business, but you mentioned alliteration… if it has too folksy a ring to it, it might seem almost cliquish to potential clients. The only risk I can see here is that those potential clients might feel alienated.

It would be helpful if we knew the name – or at least an approximation of it.

Yes, anti-semitism still exists. And for those of Jews living in the Bible Belt, probably moreso than in areas up North.

But let’s not overplay it, either. I have lived here in Georgia for 20+ years (with a short respite up in Massachusetts). I personally have been treated in an overtly anti-semitic way perhaps twice.

Community wise, where I am (metro Atlanta) there is large and vocal (and successful) Jewish community. There are no doubt small town prejudices in rural Georgia and other states, but there is definitely not pervasive anti-semitism even down here.

All of that said, I just don’t see that having a Jewish name as a company name is running all that much of a risk. Not doing so would, in my opinion, be defeatist.

The basic question is – and we all draw our own lines – how much are you going to let fear rule your life.

I think a more basic question is what name is going to attract customers to the business. Not necessarily the name (any name of any nationality) but perhaps a word that lends something to the business itself.

@dappled_leaves
I don’t know anyone who says they support Jews in Israel to fulfill prophecy, and make easy the path to the end of civilization.

@filmfann

Of course nobody out and out says they’re hoping for the end of civilization. It is not, however, difficult to suss out the true meaning behind the words of some of the folks. Some of the southern Baptist/Pentecostal barely disguise it. Many of these folks strongly want the book of Revelations to be true (at least true to their interpretation) and do want the end times to come within their life.

@elbanditoroso For me personally I don’t worry a Jewish business will get bombed or some other very violent act. I do admit to the thought passing through my mind at times when I’m in a synagogue, but I’m not seriously afraid it might happen, it’s a passing thought. Hell, if the Jews were that big of a target I would have been nervous just living in Boca Raton, FL. LOL.

I was more responding to the idea it was a matter of not being secure in ones identity and a complete dismissal that antisemitism still exists. When I was in college in the late 80’s swastikas were drawn on dorm doors. The Klan still marches. Crazy shit still happens. But, like I said I’m not overly worried, because statistically the chances are so low. I don’t feel like there is some real and present constant threat hanging over the Jews in America. Like I said, I am grateful to live in a country I feel safe, and I will add that feel free religiously.

The business is what I’ve talked about before with some variation. It would be accomplished in steps, but the big idea is an outdoor karting track that would have rental karts, but also hold more serious racing events. A big event space for parties, a hotel or condos that can be rented, a pool, a restaurant, a retail store, and garages and covered areas to store karts and trailers.

The name would be similar to Solomon Speedway or Meltzer Motorsports. Places like that often have the city or state name of the business rather than a surname. Examples are Daytona, Virginia International Speedway, Orlando Karting, NOLA Motorsports Park, etc. But, using a name is also not unusual like Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham.

Living in the south (Raleigh, NC and Memphis, TN) I personally didn’t encounter antisemitism. I did encounter people who assumed everyone they knew were theists and Christians who definitely thought what they believed was the one right way, but even that was rarely a topic to contend with. It wasn’t like religion was discussed regularly, although it is in their vernacular. Lots of “bless” and “prayers” constantly being said. I would go as far to say that sometimes it made me uncomfortable, just because it’s so weird for me to hear that stuff, but never fearful. I got used to it after a while. Atlanta has a large Jewish population.

What are “karts?”

Like go-karts. Most people picture kids driving around a track, which would be part of it, but there is a whole shifter kart circuit. Shifter carts can go over 100 miles per hour and a lot of race car drivers start out in karting.

Some race tracks have both karting and car racing (separate tracks at one facility).

Also, some race tracks, like Virginia International Speedway are like staying at camp! They have three types of lodging at the track, they sell the gas right there, there is a track cafe for lunch and a separate restaurant and bar with entertainment some nights for dinner, a pool, large event building for parties, and it’s all right on the track grounds like a campus. At that track it’s set in the woods and most of the buildings are red barn style.

@gorillapaws My ex-synogogue, which is next door to my old house, was heavily vandalized seven years ago. The playground furniture (about two yards from our property) was doused with gas and set on fire, and anti-Semitic slurs were sprayed on the fence we shared with the temple. My mom was the one who saw the flames and called 911. This happened in one of the most densely Jewish areas in the country (50%ish). And I don’t recall any rallying community; it was more kept quiet, though I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe to avoid scaring people? Even now, I can’t find any articles on it.

I’m willing to bet that a large proportion of Jews over a certain age has had some sort of significant anti-Semitic experience. Hard to believe but true: my mom was once asked by a young child – in all seriousness – where her horns and tail were.

@wildpotato I was asked that once when I was in college and I didn’t know what they were talking about at the time. I don’t know if that person was joking or serious. I don’t know if that guy was a student or a visiting friend of someone. I also had someone ask how can I be Jewish with blue eyes.

More than once while I lived in southeast FL something would happen and the synagogues would beef up security.

I wonder if someone ran the statistics of antisemitic crimes as a percentage to the Jewish population or even more specifically to known Jewish businesses including synagogues how the percentage compares to white Christian crime of similar types.

Does a white Christian ever once think about their church (assuming it’s a very white church population) being a target for vandalism or fire? Do they grow up with the possibility of the idea of it happening? I just think their mindset is very different than minorities, but I could be wrong, I don’t know. Maybe now that has shifted a little after 9/11.

@elbanditoroso I just thought to mention that when I lived in the south many people didn’t realize my name was Jewish, because they have less exposure. When I’m in Southeast FL almost everyone knows. Especially once they meet me.

@wildpotato That’s shocking to me, and I’m sorry that happened. I’m really surprised they kept things quiet (maybe they thought the offender was seeking recognition/reaction and they wanted to deny him that?). Did they ever catch the fucker who did it? I fully admit to not being omniscient, and if this kind of thing happens often but isn’t reported then it’s certainly possible I have a skewed perception of antisemitism in American culture. I still can’t help thinking that if the event was covered in the press there would be widespread support from the community though.

@JLeslie Meltzer Motorsports does have a ring to it (although I keep trying to read it as “Metzler”). I associate Solomon with the “wise king” and the diamond mine of legend. I think you might get more mileage (haha) out of using your town’s/county’s name instead of your personal name. This could have significant benefits from a Search Engine Optimization standpoint if your business name is also keyword rich for your location and activity.

I would use online tools to do some research to see what words are more commonly searched in your target area (do people Google for motorsports or speedway more often?). Are there nicknames for your area? That could work too. What your planning is very much location dependent. I think having your location in the name would make the most sense as you’re trying to become a destination. Just my $0.02.

@gorillapaws I thought you lived in America? What you wrote makes lots of sense. It’s a fantasy idea that I have pondered a lot. Who knows if it will ever happen. I would start small, the track and a large garage type building. If it makes money grow from there. If it doesn’t make money, but covers itself, it would be a place for my husband to play, rather than paying to play somewhere else. We’ll see.

@JLeslie I do live in the US. My point was that if antisemitism is frequently being swept under the rug, then I may perceive it to be less common than it actually is.

^^Are you Jewish? I have in my head you are, but I’m not sure. I only ask because Jews I think are more likely to be aware when something antisemitic happens in the community. Their grapevine and their radar so to speak. I don’t know if you looked at the links I had found. Those had some statistics. You make a good point that possibly some of them might not be reported and might not be in the stats. I would hope it is reported to the authorities, just maybe not being covered in the media.

I still don’t feel like it is some huge problem in the US, I just don’t think it is nothing either.

@JLeslie I’m not Jewish, although most people think my last name is. Big fan of the food and parties though ;)

I’ve been very close to many Jewish people in my life, but you’re absolutely right that it’s not at all the same thing.

Yeah, we are usually big on the food.