aliyah

immigration to Israel

"calling to the reading of the Torah" (Glinert)

ascent

ascent of the soul of a deceased person to a higher level, as is believed to happen on their yartzeit

avodah

"Service and worship of God" (Eisenberg).

Work, generally.

"A unique part of the Musaf service on Yom Kippur, the Avodah prayers describe the sacrificial ritual in the Temple in ancient Jerusalem on the Day of Atonement" (Eisenberg).

beit knesset

Jewish place of worship; "synagogue" (JPS)

halevai

"Would that it be so" (Steinmetz, Yiddish and English)

If only

I wish!

kippah

"small, round headcovering" (JPS)

mazel

congratulations

luck (good)

Shabbat Shalom

Used as a greeting or departing line (hello or goodbye) on or before Shabbat. Literally "peaceful Sabbath."

shemini atzeret

Holiday celebrated the day after the seven-day holiday of Sukkot.

tzadik

Common name for the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tzadi / tzade).

Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.

A highly learned and esteemed rabbinic leader (sometimes used as an alternative name for a Hasidic rebbe).