Showing 45 of 45 words, page 1 of 1
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antisemitism
"Prejudice or discrimination against Jews and the Jewish people" (JPS).
Hatred against Jews.
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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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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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chutzpah
nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)
guts (positive)
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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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Diaspora
"The term for Jewish communities and their residents who live outside of the State of Israel" (JPS).
The extensive settlement of Jews outside the land of Israel after the Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE.
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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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Hagiographa
The formal English name of the Ketuvim, usually translated as "the Writings."
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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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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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hummus
A purée of ground chickpeas and sesame seeds.
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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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klutz
"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)
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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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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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maven
"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)
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mazel tov
congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]
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mazume
"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).
"ready money, cash" (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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oy
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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oy vey
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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pita
A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.
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putz
"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]
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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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schlimazel
Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings
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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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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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shmuck
annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)
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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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spiel
play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)
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tahini
"A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds" (JPS)
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tchotchke
trinket, knicknack
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verklempt
overly emotional, choked up; speechless; unable to express one's feelings/emotions
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yarmulke
religious skullcap
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yid
A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).
a Jewish person
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