Showing 119 of 119 words, page 1 of 1
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anticirc
Growing movement of Jews and non-Jews who are opposed to circumcision.
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babka
"A loaf type coffee cake" (JPS)
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bagel
"A leavened, firm, doughnut shaped roll" (JPS)
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bar mitzvah
Jewish coming-of-age ceremony/celebration for a 13-year-old boy; the boy who has come of age.
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bat mitzvah
in gender egalitarian communities, the ceremony of a 13- (or 12-) year-old girl's first calling up to the Torah, symbolizing her adulthood in Jewish life. can also refer to the girl herself. In Orthodox communities, refers to celebration of girl turning 12. "Celebration of a Jewish girl's coming of age; a girl who has reached that age." (Glinert)
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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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Borscht Belt
region in the Catskill Mountains with many summer resorts frequented by Jews, especially in the mid twentieth century
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Bujew
a Jew who practices Buddhism; a Jew interested in Eastern spirituality
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Chabad
an outreach-oriented branch of Hasidic Judaism that follows the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Chabad has thousands of branches around the world, including at many college campuses.
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challah
"The braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on almost every Jewish holiday and [the Sabbath]" (JPS)
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chutzpah
guts (positive)
nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)
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Cohen
"A made descendent of the family of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. Aaron and his descendants were consecrated to the service of God... in the Tabernacle... in the desert and later the Holy Temple" (Steinmetz). Often poorly translated as "priest," though the term "Levite" or "Aaronite" is more accurate, especially due to Christian usage (Steinmetz).
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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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dreidel
"A small, four-sided spinning top used in a game during Chanukah" (JPS); the top itself
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falafel
the deep-fried chick pea ball itself
a Middle Eastern sandwich featuring a deep-fried ball made of chick peas and spices inside pita bread, often served with other vegetables, hummus, and techina
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farkakte
"lousy, messed up, ridiculous" (JPS) Shitty, full of crap.
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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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gefilte fish
minced sweet or sour fish, cooked in balls or a log and sliced. [lit., "stuffed fish"(JPS), since the chopped fish used to be placed back in the fish for cooking.]
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gesundheit
Health. (Bless you) - said in response to a sneeze.
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glitch
flaw; slight problem in a process
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goy
a nation, but not the Jewish nation
"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)
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halleluyah
praise God
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hamsa
a hand-shaped amulet (often a wall-hanging or jewelry) conferring good luck or protection, popular in Israel and originally from the Middle East / North Africa
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hanukkah
The winter-time festival that commemorates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt in the second century B.C.E. (lit. "dedication")
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Hasid
Pious person
A disciple of a rabbi, not only a member of a Hasidic group.
Adherent of a Hasidic Jewish group ("A mystical religious movement founded in Poland" (JPS)
A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).
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Haskalah
19th century Jewish Enlightenment, in which modern philosophy and literature entered Jewish consciousness
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Hillel
a rabbi often quoted in Pirkei Avot and the Talmud who was martyred by the Romans, famous for his disputations with Shammai
an organization for Jewish college life, especially in North America
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JAP
Jewish American Princess
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JDate
A popular dating site for Jewish singles.
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Kabbalah
a Jewish mystical work, sometimes used as a catch-all term for Jewish mysticism. "The Jewish mystical tradition" (JPS)
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kibbitz
"To socialize aimlessly...To carry on a running commentary" (Rosten)
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kibbitzer
Someone who "gives unasked-for advice ... especially as a bystander-observer at a game (bridge, poker, checkers, chess)." (Rosten)
Someone who jokes, fools around.
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kibbutz
"[Israeli agricultural] collective" (Glinert) Most settlements in Israeli which originally began as kibbutzim now function as regular municipalities.
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klezmer
"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)
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klutz
"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)
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Knesset
Israel's parliament
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knish
Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients
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kosher
"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws
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krav maga
A form of mixed martial arts developed in the Israeli Army but popularized worldwide. Literally means "contact combat"
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kugel
Baked pudding or casserole made with eggs and various ingredients, including noodles, potatoes, or spinach
The South African equivalent of a "Jewish American Princess"
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kvell
feel or express pride, "to be extraordinarily pleased" (JPS)
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kvetch
"to chronically complain or gripe to others over minor issues" (JPS)
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l'chaim
traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]
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Ladino
Judeo-Spanish language
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Land of Israel
not just the state of Israel but the physical place
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latka
"a potato pancake [fried in oil traditionally eaten on Chanukah]" (Rosten)
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lox
smoked salmon
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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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Manischewitz
sweet brand of wine often used by American Jews for ritual purposes
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mannah
the food that fell from the sky to feed the wandering Israelites in the Bible
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matzoh
unleavened bread eaten on Passover
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matzoh ball
dumpling made with matzah meal and eggs and generally served in chicken soup
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maven
"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)
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mazel tov
congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]
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mazume
"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)
"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).
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menorah
candelabrum, especially for Chanukah
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mensch
"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)
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meshuga
crazy
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mezuzah
a piece of parchment with the Shema written on it that is then placed in a case and mounted on doorways in keeping with the Biblical commandment mentioned in the Shema
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nebbish
noun: nerdy, clumsy, awkward person. "An innocuous, ineffectual, weak, helpless, or hapless unfortunate" (Rosten)
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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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nosh
to snack or eat; a snack
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nudnik
"A pest, a nag, an annoyer, a monumental bore." (Rosten)
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oy
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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oy vey
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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pastrami
Smoked, seasoned deli meat
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putz
"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]
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putzing, putzed
wasting time [offensive]
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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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Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year
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sabra
a prickly pear, "tough and prickly on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside--a description that many say fits citizens of the Jewish state." (JPS)
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schlemiel
idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)
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schlemozel
The constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings
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schlep
To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to
An annoyingly long journey
"To carry, lug" (JPS)
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schlong
a penis
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schmaltzy
"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)
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schmear
to spread; cream cheese
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schmo
a fool; a jerk
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schmooze
to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up
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schnapps
"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)
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seder
order, orderliness, system, routine
The name for the six sections of the Mishnah.
A ceremony involving recitations, singing, food, and drink typically associated with Passover, but also with Tu B'shvat and Rosh Hashanah.
period for Torah study
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Sephardic
Jews whose ancestors came from the Iberian Peninsula before the Jewish expulsion
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Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath; Saturday
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Shabbos goy
"A non-Jew who by prearrangement performs chores [that are forbidden] for a Jew on the Sabbath or holidays." (Steinmetz)
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shalom
hello, goodbye, peace
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shanda
"Scandal, shame." (JPS)
Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.
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shawarma
Thinly cut meat (usually lamb, but may be chicken, beef, or other meat) cooked on a vertical rotating spit. Often served on a laffa (large pita type bread, but flat like a pizza dough and without a pocket) and with French fries ("chips" in Israel). Sometimes served on pita.
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shiksa
"1. A non-Jewish girl. 2. A housemaid. 3. An irreligious or nonobservant Jewish girl. The term is often regarded as disparaging." (Steinmetz)
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shivah
week-long period of mourning after the death of a relative, during which close relatives stay at home and greet visitors. mourners traditionally sit on low stools during this time, so someone in mourning is said to be 'sitting shiva'.
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shlock
something cheap or inferior. "A shoddy, cheaply made article." (Rosten)
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shmendrik
jerk, stupid person
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shmuck
annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)
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shmutz
"Dirt, stain, or filth." (JPS)
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shnoz
"A nose, especially a large, unattractive one." (JPS)
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shtetl
"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)
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shtick
"Overused actions or behavior." (JPS)
Comedy routine.
Props and decorations used for wedding entertainment.
Performances and silly behavior at weddings, intended to entertain the bride and groom.
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shtum
quiet, voiceless, mute
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spiel
play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)
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Talmud
"The body of Jewish law and tradition comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara, compiled from about 30 B.C.E to about 500 C.E." (Steinmetz)
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talmudic
1. literally, having to do with the talmud 2. a debate that was complex and had many sides
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tchotchke
trinket, knicknack
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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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tuches
buttocks
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tush
buttocks
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verklempt
choked up; speechless; unable to express one's feelings/emotions overly emotional
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yarmulke
religious skullcap
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yid
a Jewish person
A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).
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Yiddish
Traditional language of Ashkenazic Jewry. A descendant of High German, its vocabulary is roughly 80% Germanic, 10% Hebrew and 10% Slavic (depending on author/speaker and setting/genre)
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Yom Kippur
day of atonement, arguably the most important day on the Jewish calendar
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