Showing 164 of 164 words, page 1 of 1
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9 Days
the nine days leading up to Tisha B'av (the 15th of the month of Av), generally considered a time of mourning in which it is customary to abstain from eating meat, washing clothes, getting haircuts, or shaving
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a long life
Used to greet a mourner after someone has died.
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answer up
counter, retort
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anticirc
Growing movement of Jews and non-Jews who are opposed to circumcision.
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antisemitism
"Prejudice or discrimination against Jews and the Jewish people" (JPS).
Hatred against Jews.
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Aramaic
Judeo-Aramaic, a northern Semitic language related to Hebrew.
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ark
"the cabinet at the front of an Ashkenazic synagogue that houses the Torah scroll." (JPS)
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Ashkenazic
Adjectival form for 'Ashkenazim', "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France, and their descendants" (JPS)
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Ashkenormative
Assuming that all Jews are Ashkenazi, not considering Jews with other backgrounds.
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Ashki
nickname for Ashkenazi Jews
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b'shalom
"in peace" (used to sign off in written correspondence)
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bageling
Inserting a Jewish phrase or concept into a conversation in order to indicate that one is Jewish or to determine whether the other person is Jewish.
Identifying another person as a Jew.
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barmy
bar mitzvah
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BCE
Before the Common Era (used in place of B.C.). Steinmetz: "...recently, a new awareness of the Christian character of these abbreviations have led many Jewish writers and editors to replace them with [C.E. And B.C.E.]"
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Be well
Closing to a letter or conversation: Take care, be healthy
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beck
young, materialistic, shallow person
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Birthright
A free 10-day trip to Israel for young Diaspora Jews ages 18-26. Over 400,000 Jews have been to Israel on Birthright.
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black hat
Haredi; describing people or traditions of the right end of the Orthodox continuum, encompassing Hasidic and non-Hasidic (or just non-Hasidic) Orthodox Jews, of whom the men wear black hats
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bond of life
Common translation of the Hebrew "tzror ha-hayim," referring to a transcendent realm where the souls of righteous are kept in safekeeping. Part of a phrase often inscribed on headstones or said in reference to the dead, meaning "may their soul be bound in the bond of eternal life."
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Borscht Belt
region in the Catskill Mountains with many summer resorts frequented by Jews, especially in the mid twentieth century
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boychick
"A young boy...equivalent of the American expression 'buddy'" (JPS)
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break fast
the meal that takes place after a fast
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bring down
cite or reference
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BT
ba'al teshuva, returnee to faith, Jew who chose to become Orthodox
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Bujew
a Jew who practices Buddhism; a Jew interested in Eastern spirituality
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by
at [a location], at the house of, with, among, according to the opinion of, at [an event, time of year] (in addition to Standard English near).
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candle lighting
"the custom of lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath" (JPS); the exact time at which holiday and Shabbos candles are supposed to be lit by according to Jewish law.
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cashew
a person of Catholic and Jewish heritage
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CCAR
a union of Reform Rabbis that determines pay and benefits, as well as who can work at Reform movement-affiliated synagogues
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cement mixer
non-Jewish woman
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Chabad house
a synagogue/residence/outreach center operated by Chabad-Lubabvitch, usually run by a Rabbi and wife, and often their children.
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chesedik
kind
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chosenness
Notion that Jews are God's chosen people, based on biblical quotes.
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Chrismukkah
"Chrismukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau neologism referring to the merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas and Judaism's Hanukkah." (Wikipedia)
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CJLS
a committee of Conservative Rabbis that meets semi-yearly to review t'shuvot (halachic proposals)
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collect
gather funds or fundraise for an institution.
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conservadox
of a manner of Jewish religious practice that is considered to be intermediate between the Conservative and Orthodox movements in liturgy, observance, etc.
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Conservative Judaism
originally known as "historical positive Judaism," a denomination that combines observance with an idea of "halachic process." See further comments below.
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continuity
An objective, often expressed in response to rising rates of interfaith marriage, to ensure that Judaism is transmitted from one generation to the next.
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convener
an organization that brings people or organizations together
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counting the omer
counting of each of the forty-nine days between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuos
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daled amos of halacha
Idiomatically, "the four walls of the law" (Glinert)
the four (square) cubits of the law
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day school
Jewish grade school, where students learn both Jewish and secular subjects. "The general name given to private Jewish schools" in the United States and Canada (JPS)
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Diaspora
The extensive settlement of Jews outside the land of Israel after the Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE.
"The term for Jewish communities and their residents who live outside of the State of Israel" (JPS).
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eats out
Describes willingness of otherwise kosher-observant person to eat in non-supervised restaurant; connotation is that they will not eat non-kosher food (meat, shellfish etc), but are not concerned about the status of food prepared in otherwise non-kosher kitchen.
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egal
adj. describing a non-Orthodox Jewish prayer group or service in which men and women can participate equally and a mechitzah (boundary separating women from men) is not used.
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engagement
The degree to which an individual is active in or affiliated with a Jewish communal activity or organization, or to which a Jewish institution encourages such activity
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ever-dying people
reference to Simon Rawidowicz quote that Jews have long seen themselves in danger of decline
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federation
A local Jewish philanthropy which raises and distributes funds for social welfare, social services and educational needs in local communities and overseas, especially Israel.
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FFB
Short for "frum from birth." Refers to someone who grew up in a religious home, the opposite of a BT (ba'al teshuvah) who became religious as an adult.
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FFT
'Frum from Tuesday' - a satire on 'FFB'. Denotes a very recent BT, usually someone who has not mastered the rituals / social cues of Orthodox practice.
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flexidox
Halachically observant but in a flexible way. Reflecting the original intent and spirit of Orthodoxy, rather than the superficial details. Flexidox (adj.): Orthodox in spirit, flexible in practice; culturally rather than halachically Orthodox
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flip out
When a Modern Orthodox post-high-school student becomes more religiously observant during or after a gap year at a yeshiva/seminary.
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from strength to strength
phrase of blessing used on momentous occasions
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from your mouth to God's ears
response to a good wish or blessing that mentions future events: I want that to happen, but I'm not sure it will.
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G-d
the way that some religious Jews write God, to avoid writing the full word
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give/get
The amount of money that a board member of an organization is responsible to contribute, either by a personal donation ("give") or by the member's individual fundraising ("get").
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glatt
Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).
Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.
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good for the Jews
an expression, often used ironically, to ask what the effect of a given event will be on the Jewish community.
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good yom-tov
standard holiday greeting
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Hagiographa
The formal English name of the Ketuvim, usually translated as "the Writings."
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halakhic-egalitarian
A type of prayer group, service, community, or personal practice where people of all genders participate fully and equally in prayer services or other ritual functions (particularly women also performing rituals traditionally ascribed to men), while maintaining an adherence to traditional halachic practice, and seeing the egalitarian aspects of practice as harmonious with halacha.
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Half Shabbas
Describes Sabbath observance by someone (usually a teenager) who observes Shabbat in every respect - except one: they text/SMS/tweet on Shabbat (or use other digital communication). May extend to using other electronic/digital devices as well (e.g. tablets).
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Harry
A single, yeshivish male (see bochur) who is less culturally yeshivish than his peers.
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heeb
slang term used to describe a Jewish person
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Hinjew
a Jewish person of Indian origin or a person with mixed Jewish and Indian ancestry
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hold
to be on the verge of
to opine; to act in accordance with; to be of the opinion; to believe "maintain" (Weiser)
to maintain a degree of religious observance
agree with
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hot dairy (out) / cold dairy (out)
a standard of kashrut held by some non-Orthodox Jews, which allows certain foods but not others to be eaten in non-kosher restaurants; "cold dairy" refers to unheated non-meat products such as a bagel with cream cheese, cold cereal, salads, or cottage cheese, while "hot dairy" refers to cooked dishes containing vegetables, fish or dairy.
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I wish you well to wear it
A saying uttered on seeing a friend or relative wearing a new garment or accessory. It is value-neutral, not implying that the garment is nice, just that it is new.
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inside/outside
Dealing with a text directly (inside) or discussion about a text (outside) during different segments of a study session
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J.E.R.K
Jewish Educated Religious Kid
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Jalapeño Bagel
A person of Hispanic (non-Jewish) and Jewish origins.
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JAP
Jewish American Princess
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JBA
Jew by Association
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JDate
A popular dating site for Jewish singles.
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JDub
An American Jew who is not Syrian (usually refers to Ashkenazim)
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Jew Bub
"Jewish Bubble"; the network of Jewish organizations and social circles in which Jews interact mostly with other Jews
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Jew by Choice
A convert to Judaism.
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Jew crew
group of Jews who hang out together
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Jewdar
ability to detect individuals' Jewishness (on analogy with "gaydar" and ultimately "radar")
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Jewfro
a large, frizzy hairstyle, sported by Jewish men (on analogy with "afro")
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Jewish geography
a "game" in which Jews attempt to identify common friends or acquaintances
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Jewish professional
An employee, excluding support staff, of an institution, including a synagogue, non-profit organization, and school, specifically or largely devoted to a Jewish cause or agenda.
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Jewishly
(Adverb) related to or in a manner that accords with religious or cultural values or knowledge common or important to the Jewish people
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Jewishness
Ethnic or cultural Jewish identity, as distinct from "Judaism"
The quality of being a Jew, not limited to (nor necessarily excluding) religion, ethnicity, biology, or nationality.
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Jewitch
A Jew who is a witch or pagan.
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Jews of Color
A pan-ethnic term that used to identify Jews whose family origins are originally in African, Asian or Latin-American countries (rac.org)
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Jewy
Highly identified Jewishly, either outwardly in terms of actions and affiliations, or inwardly based on self-definition.
Demonstating stereotypical or conspicuous appearance or behaviors that identify one as a Jew.
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JFK
Acronym: "Just for Kiddush." A joking or dismissive designation for a person who skips Saturday morning services but arrives at synagogue for the kiddush luncheon
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keppy
head, little head (informal, diminutive, often in child-directed speech)
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KFP
An abbreviation "kosher for Passover," meaning that the food fulfills the religious requirements to be eaten during Passover.
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kike
A derogatory slur for a Jewish person.
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kiki riki
brand name of clothing shells (thin, simple shirts; worn by Orthodox women under more revealing ones to provide coverage)
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kimmel
"kimmel bread" is rye bread with caraway seeds on top
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kollel rabbi
A man who learns (studies traditional texts) - generally full-time - and offers classes and other services to the (non-Orthodox) Jewish community.
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Kratsmach
Tongue-in-cheek way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ.
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Land of Israel
not just the state of Israel but the physical place
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lay leader
a member of the board of directors for a Jewish non-profit organization
an adult who helps coordinate programs of a Jewish organization in a volunteer capacity
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learn
"To be involved in the acquisition of Torah knowledge through reading and reflection, or to do so as an occupation: STUDY" (Weiser)
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light
light Shabbat or holiday candles
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LOR
Local Orthodox Rabbi
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LWMO
'Left wing Modern Orthodox'. The liberal wing of Modern Orthodoxy, in both attitude and observance.
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M.O.T.
"member of the tribe;" a Jew
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Maimonidean
Having to do with Maimonides, the Jewish rabbi, physician and scholar who lived in the 12th century
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make
To urinate or defecate
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Matzah minyan
A morning service (shacharit) that lasts 18 minutes or shorter.
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matzah pizza
A nickname for Massapequa, a Long Island, NY, suburb with sizable Jewish and Italian populations.
a dish eaten by American Jews during Passover, where a piece of matzah is covered with tomato sauce and cheese, and placed in the oven.
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matzoh ball
dumpling made with matzah meal and eggs and generally served in chicken soup
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mayim step
a dance move used in Israeli dance (also known as 'the grapevine')
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meaty
Food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws
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member of the tribe
non-derogitory slang term used to identify a Jewish person
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meshichist
someone who believes that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe of Chabad Hasidism, is the Messiah
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milky
Dairy
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mission
An organized trip meant to expose participants to the work of a nonprofit organization, raise awareness of a cause, and/or deliver supplies or services to a deserving population. Unlike the Christian use of the word "mission," Jewish missions do not signify a proselytizing motive.
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Modern Orthodox
'Modern Orthodox'. Observant, but open to the outside world, general culture and education; not 'Yeshivish' or 'Haredi'.
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name game
The attempt to identify whether someone is Jewish based upon whether their name 'sounds' Jewish.
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nice Jewish boy
Jewish male, in pop culture it often indicates nebbishy traits and lack of traditional masculinity
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no-goodnik
bad person, scoundrel (sometimes humorous or affectionate)
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OB"M
"of blessed memory"
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Off the derech
No longer religious/observant; now following a non-religious/non-observant lifestyle.
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oirik
Derogatory reference to a non-Jewish male, especially a common labourer
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on one foot
translation of Hebrew "al regel achat" or Yiddish "af eyn fus": off-the-cuff; quick, quickly, quick answer (from a Talmudic story about Rabbi Hillel summarizing the Torah to a potential convert while standing on one foot)
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OO
Abbreviation for Open Orthodoxy or Open Orthodox.
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Open Orthodox
a breakaway movement to the left of Modern Orthodoxy, declared outside of acceptable Orthodox boundaries by most mainstream Orthodox rabbis
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Ortho
shorthand, or slang term, for Orthodox
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patrilineal
Being considered Jewish because one's father but not mother is Jewish.
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peoplehood
sense of belonging to the world Jewish people
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Pew
Shorthand reference to “A Portrait of Jewish Americans,” a comprehensive survey, released in October 2013 by the Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life Project. Upon its release, the survey's findings on population, Jewish identity, and interfaith marriage seemed likely to play a central role in determining priorities for myriad Jewish institutions.
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pizza bagel
A person of (non-Jewish) Italian and Jewish descent.
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Recon
Adj. Of or pertaining to Reconstructionist Judaism (a movement founded by Rabbi M. M. Kaplan, emphasizing Judaism as a civilization more than a religion).
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Reform
a Jewish movement founded on principles of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah), which rejected the binding nature of the Law and attempted to concentrate on the prophetic message; it is now the largest movement in the United States, and has an additional 1 million adherents worldwide.
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Reform Judaism
A liberal, progressive branch of Judaism that emphasizes choice through knowledge.
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refusenik
Term for Soviet Jews who were not allowed to openly practice Judaism or emigrate from Soviet Union.
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religious school
after-school jewish supplementary education, usually from elementary through high school. may occur during the week or on sundays.
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renewal
An alternative stream of rabbis and congregations, independent of the "mainstream" denominations, that fosters an open and experimental approach to Judaism, often drawing from the Jewish mystical tradition and non-Jewish spiritual traditions.
Practices and beliefs in keeping with the philosphy of the renewal movement.
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responsa
Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.
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RWMO
'Right-wing Modern Orthodox' - often University-educated and open to (certain) professional training and education, but seriously committed to halakhic observance.
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S/Y
Syrian Jew
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schmo
a fool; a jerk
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seminary
Post-high school learning program for women; usually located in Jerusalem and associated with an Orthodox religious outlook
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Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
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Shabbos elevator
elevator used on the Sabbath that stops automatically on each floor to allow religious Jews to use it without operating electric equipment
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shluffy
[to go] to sleep (child-directed speech)
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Shtati
Cool, modern, cosmopolitan.
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Tefillin date
A date on which the male brings along his tefillin, in the expectation that he may spend the night with his date (because he is conscientious about the mitzvah of tefillin and the need to put on his tefillin the following morning).
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tell over
to repeat or teach a story heard elsewhere
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Thanksgivukkah
"Thanksgivukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau neologism given to the convergence of the American holiday of Thanksgiving and the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Thursday, November 28, 2013" (Wikipedia)
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The Chosen People
refers to the jewish people as a whole having a unique relationship with god; (translation of hebrew phrase "am nivchar")
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Three Weeks
a period of semi-mourning commemorating the destruction of the first and second temples in jerusalem. "The three weeks between shiva asar betamuz (17th of Tamuz), when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, and Tisha b'Av (9th of Av), when the Temple was destroyed." (Steinmetz)
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Torah reading
a section of the torah read on certain days during the week. (translation of hebrew phrase "kriyas hatorah")
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Tot Shabbat
A synagogue-based service or play group for young children on Shabbat.
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traditional-egalitarian
A type of prayer group, service, community, or personal practice where people of all genders participate fully and equally in prayer services or other ritual functions (particularly women also performing rituals traditionally ascribed to men), while maintaining an adherence to traditional halachic practice.
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triple-h
good-looking Jewish female ("hot Hebrew honey")
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tuna bagel
a person (usually a young, Hasidic man) who appears to be religious but is in part or in whole not observant; OR who is observant and wears Hasidic garb, but otherwise behaves like non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews
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unaffiliated
Refers to members of the Jewish population who are not involved with a synagogue or other Jewish community organizations.
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unveiling
the ceremony marking the unveiling of a deceased person's headstone one year after his or her burial
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wash
To wash one's hands ritually before a meal.
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whole megillah
an expression of something done completely and/or taking a long time
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yok
rowdy non-Jewish hooligan (derogatory)
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Zeder
Zoom seder: seder conducted via the videoconferencing technology Zoom.
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Zoom Mitzvah
Bar or bat mitzvah service or party conducted via Zoom
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