beck

young, materialistic, shallow person

Borscht Belt

region in the Catskill Mountains with many summer resorts frequented by Jews, especially in the mid twentieth century

boydem

attic

cement mixer

non-Jewish woman

dos

A derogatory term for ultra-Orthodox/Haredi Jews, common in Israel.

gaveta

Locker behind the synagogue seat.

hachnosas kallah

charitable support for poor young women to get married

Hafgana

Demonstration, protest.

hardal

a label for Israeli Jews who lean towards Haredi (non-modern, strictly Orthodox) and also very nationalistic / Zionist.

hashgacha

1. Divine providence, interference, attention 2. Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher

kimmel

"kimmel bread" is rye bread with caraway seeds on top

mefanek

luxurious, elaborate, pampering

being particularly concerned about cleanliness, appearance, and the way things are prepared: finicky, spoiled.

Mishneh Torah

a 12th-century code of religious law in fourteen parts written by Moses Maimonides

moserim

informers

vig

The commission one receives for conducting a transaction, usually gambling or drug deals, but can also be used in day-to-day transactions.