Baby Adolf

by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

What's in a Name?

Published: December 27, 2008
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Visitor Comments: 22

(22) Anonymous, January 17, 2009 6:50 PM

Is there more to the story?

I heard on the radio that Children's Protective Services got involved.

(21) Anonymous, January 16, 2009 2:08 AM

children taken away

just read in the news last nite that the children were taken away from the parents.

(20) Anonymous, January 4, 2009 8:09 AM

Names do mean everything

Perhaps the cake should have had the name of the Grand Mufti of Israel/Palestine who was one of Hitler's best friends on it as well. Strange bedfellows indeed, but with one common goal. The goal of the Twin Towers terrorism in modern times. At least Lawrence wore a Kefiyah. Did these parents? I think not! Just the same their goals seem to be the same.

(19) Anonymous, January 4, 2009 12:50 AM

infringement of rights?

The parents can buy a tube of icing and put whatever they want on the cake themselves. It's a publicity stunt.

(18) marty, December 31, 2008 6:24 AM

what's in a name

In the book "Freakanomics" they relate stories of people who named their kids. One father named his sons 'Winner' and Loser' to odd effect. Winner was far from it and Loser became a cop. They call him 'Lou.' May baby Adolf equally flip-flop on his name and his parents ambitions, and make himself someone to be admired for his goodness rather than his namesake. But G-d help him to survive his childhood trials at the hands of his peers. Names are already weapons in the hands of children, his will be a lethal one.

(17) Grace Fishenfeld, December 30, 2008 7:10 PM

They Don't Take The Cake

Are these parents stupid or are they playing a silly joke on an innocent child who may be causing them aggravation? What foolishness! A name, as the Rabbi said forms an image.I would play no part in this game. No Cake, only a Hamantash, for the parents.

(16) Daniel, December 30, 2008 4:51 PM

Who's afraid of a name?

I bear the name (Daniel) of one who spent most of his life referred to by a pagan title (Belteshazzar) ... he lived with it, choosing to let his actions speak for themselves and bear witness to his faith and character ... we can hope little Adolph Hitler Campbell will rise above the name his parents chose to display a character worthy of praise. Making a controversy out of it will not help the child - and just gives the parents what they seek - publicity. Pray for the child instead.

(15) ross, December 30, 2008 3:13 PM

Only someone named Lizzie Borden will marry him

Who says they have a right to give him the name of the worst mass murderer in history?! Their local govt. office didn't complain when typing up the birth certificate, so this gives them the right?! This child is in for a life devoid of any normality at all! This is child abuse!! What pathetic "parents"! They have brutally sacrificed their child on the "let's make a point" altar.

(14) ruth housman, December 30, 2008 3:05 PM

People who hate

It's clear that these parents did a despicable thing. It's about HATE. Their values are to totally devalue. Their children will learn to hate. I bet they are so happy to get this distorted kind of publicity.

(13) Anonymous, December 30, 2008 2:34 PM

I think those parents are sick, but maybe I feel that way because I am a Jew and I have been on the March of the Living and was in Poland, in four death camps and in the gas chambers. I think the clerk was correct, as was his/her supervisor. I would not have decorated the cake with that outrageous name.

(12) Rebecca, December 30, 2008 1:27 PM

Like it or not- it's the child's name

I agree that it was irresponsible for the parents to name their child Adolf Hitler, but at this point, the three year old knows his name- but has no idea of the historical figure. With luck, the poor kid will be Adolf H. Campbell until he's old enough to change his name legally- but until that point, its his name, and he should be able to have it on the cake like any other kid. However, not mentioned above is that both shoprite and walmart refused to put swatstikas on the cake- and I believe that decision was correct.

(11) Donna, December 30, 2008 11:48 AM

Thank you

The parents are being insensitive and cruel to their child and the Jewish people. If they really wanted an unusual name for their child, they could have made up a name. For example, I teach in an inner- city school and many of our African American families have created unique and beautiful melodic names for their children. If a person wants attention or wants their child to stand out then teach the child do do wonderous things for the world. That is the best way to make a "name" for oneself.

(10) David M. Cohen, December 30, 2008 10:55 AM

Not my Bill of Rights

Contrary to Rabbi Salomon's suggestion, the Bill of Rights doesn't say Americans can "do pretty much whatever they want", it merely limits the GOVERNMENT's ability to interfere with certain carefully defined and inalienable rights. This includes ShopRite's right to refuse to abet these parents in their either hateful or delusional (or both) child rearing. Therefore, contrary to "Former Democrat's" comment, it is highly unlikely that the ACLU, which acts to enforce the Bill of Rights, would have any dog in this fight. This type of case must be distinguished from cases such as where pharmacists have refused to fill prescriptions for birth control pills, where the ACLU has supported the patients, not based on the Bill of Rights but rather based on existing, religiously neutral statutes that prohibit such denial. There are no such laws with regard to cake decoration, and such laws are unlikely to be enacted since unlike prescription drugs, cake decoration can be easily obtained by customers if refused by a specialist.

(9) Rebekah ben-Maimon, December 30, 2008 10:42 AM

Outrageous

Rabbi Salomon, I just listened to your comments and have concluded that you are right. Some people just want to see a negative reaction as I think they get some kind of pleasure out of it. Shame on them. On the otherhand, they could try and change for the better because we all have free will. I like millions and millions of others in this world for example, get great pleasure out of reciting 18 blessings in the morning. that act alone affects my day. Nor does it cost anything to help another human being, smile or say a kind word and genuinely mean it. Wicked actions are always going to surface - the secret is how we deal with them..

(8) Dvirah, December 30, 2008 10:07 AM

Poor Kid!

I feel sorry for the child. He will suffer adverse reactions to his name frequently from all sorts of people outside his parent's particular group. His parents in giving such a name are delibrately creating a situation where their son will find the bulk of society antagonistic to him - in fact ensuring that he in turn will learn to hate a large majority of the people outside his group. May G-d grant him experiences which will help him overcome this handicap!

(7) Anonymous, December 30, 2008 8:02 AM

Got attention

The parents are obviously attention grabbing sick folks that got what they want....for the rest of the world to notice them and their demented racist feelings.

(6) Alejandro Levy, December 30, 2008 2:38 AM

Chavez

Hi, although president Chavez of Venezuela is by the least and example to humanity. He did something right a few months ago. Forbidden the use of those sorts of names to newborns. It is fascinating that a simple mind like his (no offence intended) could face with such ease and issue as difficult as not giving parents the right to choose their child names. I can see that the almighty gives wisdom to every soul he creates.

(5) Anonymous, December 29, 2008 11:30 AM

child abuse

i think this is pure child abuse.how can they put their child in that situation?

(4) Lynn, December 28, 2008 5:45 PM

These parents knew what they were doing

...and named their other children JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell. Those names say more about the family, their values and how they think, than anything these people can say out loud. Naming your child because “no one else in the world would have that name" is one thing, naming him Adolf Hitler is entirely another. Those two words together can only mean hatred, violence, and annhiliation of an entire people. This family should feel ashamed of their decisions, and think ahead to the future their giving their kids.

(3) Anonymous, December 28, 2008 1:40 PM

at work but must speak

i can't actually hear what the video says because i'm at work. it's not even that i'm offended i just think it's rather insenstive. remember not to forget. i don't think it would be appropriate for someone to name their child after osama bin laden either. i also think there's a line easily drawn here. if the name were only adolph, or even hitler but to use them together as a single entity makes one think of only one person. this is undeniable. and to add insult to exaserbate things, their second child's name is rumored to have the words "aryan nation" in it. maybe this is a farce but it is believable. do they really not understand why people would be upset? i'm not saying that this child is going to grow up and try to follow in his namesake's footsteps. perhaps he will grow up to be a great leader and do great things. maybe he'll just be another boy taking it day by day. but my point is that none of that matters TODAY. what matters is the insensitivity and ignorance that allowed these parents to think that his full name would ever do anything but stir up emotions.

(2) Former Democrat, December 28, 2008 12:18 PM

Three Cheers for the clerk and supervisor at Shoprite! As far as the clerk in Walmart, do you think that the no value judgement agenda that is prevalent today and maybe a lack of education (I'm sure most teenagers do not know who Stalin (and maybe even Hitler)was and what he did)have something to do with this. If that's the case, the progressive thinking Jews have some responsibility. If the Campbells sue Shoprite for a made-up infringement of their rights, it will be a Jewish ACLU layer who tries the case.

(1) Moshe Rosen, December 28, 2008 8:10 AM

name selection and actions

Parents can pretty much name their child whatever they want. I'm not so offended by parents naming their child after a particular person in history, because actions speak louder than words. Usually, it's better to judge the action or sin itself more than the personality. Of course, some people can sin beyond repair and be in gehonim/hell forever only if they have an evil conscience and express no remorse. Often times, while some may know better, they just don't care. I've heard of Madonna attempting to name her child "4Real", and I've heard of German parents naming their child after Osama bin Laden. Still, it's more important to judge on actions than individuals personally, even if they have an odd name. As the Jewish bible teaches us, "love the sinner - hate the sin". Thus, many do like another person, but won't always like some of the things they do, which isn't really personal.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.