aba

father, dad, daddy

ad me'ah v'esrim

[may you/he/she live] "until a hundred and twenty" -- often used as a birthday wish for long life, or when mentioning a person who is getting on in years.

adloyada

A Purim carnival.

aliyah

immigration to Israel

ascent

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

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

avodah

work, generally

the name for a unit at camp in which campers help with such duties as service in the dining hall, laundry, etc.

"Service and worship of God" (Eisenberg)

"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).

"Literally, 'divine service'" (Eisenberg)

b'sha'ah tovah

Literally "at a good hour." All in good time. Good luck. Response to a pregnancy announcement--meaning may all go well.

balagan

"a disorderly, confusing, and/or overwhelming situation" (Glinert)

behatzlacha

good luck (a wish)

go with success

beit knesset

Jewish place of worship; "synagogue" (JPS)

Breslover

A follower of the Hasidic branch of Judaism that adheres to the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.

bruchim haba'im

welcome! [lit. "blessed are those who come"]

chag sameach

"Literally, 'Happy Holiday.' The traditional, all-purpose greeting exchanged on almost any Jewish holiday" (JPS).

chanukiah

Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah

chidon

A bible quiz in Orthodox camps and schools.

chozer b'teshuva

a returnee to the faith

dati

Modern Orthodox

religious

davka

"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)

just to annoy, just to be contrary

even; despite expectations to the contrary -- often with a slightly amused or ironic feeling of "wouldn't you know it?" or "of all things" ("of all people" ... etc.)

Hafgana

Demonstration, protest.

hafsaka

break or interruption

halevai

If only

I wish!

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

Haredi

Adjective or noun referring to an individual, institution, or practice associated with strictly Orthodox (non-Modern) Jews.

havurah

A group of friends, frequently a social or religious group, either within a synagogue or apart from one.

kesher

connection, relationship, link

kippah

"small, round headcovering" (JPS)

kitah aleph

level one; 1st. grade in primary school

kol hakavod

Literally, "All the honor", as in "More honor to you!"

"well done" (Glinert)

kumkum

hot water urn

l'shalom

"in peace," lit. "to (or toward) peace"

machloket

disagreement, dispute, argument, conflict, especially one about a halachic issue

mamish

"1. As though true to fact...2. Surely or certainly...3. Actually, genuinely...4. To a high degree...5. Enthusiastic response: WOW." (Weiser)

matzav

situation

political, military situation in Israel/the Middle East

mazel

luck (good)

congratulations

midrasha

Co-ed supplementary Jewish religious school, usually Reform

Orthodox women's seminary, especially in Israel

Mizrachi

adj. or noun describing a person or practice (including music and ritual) of Middle Eastern Jewish origin. Lit. "Eastern," "Oriental."

mora

Teacher - Female

nu

so what?; so?; hurry up already

plata

electric hotplate used on the Sabbath

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.

shmira

"guard duty"

"watching over the body of a dead person prior to burial"

stam

only, simply, just for fun, not for a specific purpose

That's it!

Just kidding!

toyve

A favor

tzadik

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

Someone who does extremely righteous deeds.

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

yerida

emigration from Israel