A Dio

My God!

aba

father, dad, daddy

abi gezunt

"As long as you're healthy [you can be happy]."

acharon acharon chaviv

"The very last one is beloved."; "Last but not least."

achron

"Latter-day religious authorities... scholars of the Renaissance and later times" (Glinert).

achshav

Now, immediately

ad kdei kach

so much. has it gone this far? (Weiser: "expression of wonder regarding the extent or intensity of something.")

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.

adafina

The Ladino/Judezmo term for a slowly cooked stew of meat and vegetables, similar to the Ashkenazi cholent.

Adar

The sixth month of the Jewish calendar year.

aderaba

certainly, by all means; I certainly don't object

on the contrary

adloyada

A Purim carnival.

admor

A Hassidic spiritual leader.

Adonai

"Literally, 'my Lord', another word for God." (JPS)

afikomen

a piece of matzah from the Passover seder traditionally hidden by adults, found by the children (or vice versa), and then ransomed for gifts after the meal. "The last piece of matzoh...eaten at the meal." (Steinmetz)

agam

lake

aggadah

Parts of the Talmud and Midrash that do not deal with law, including stories, fables, and sayings. "Talmudic stories or philosophical material" (Glinert).

agunah

A woman whose husband has refused her a Jewish divorce.

A woman who is unable to remarry, due to the fact that her husband is missing and it is not known whether her husband is alive or dead.

ahavas yisroel

"Love of one's fellow Jew" (Glinert)

Aibishter

God, lit. "supreme one" or "the one above"

Akedah

The binding of Isaac (episode in the Torah)

akum

A Talmudic term for a heathen.

al hanisim

A one-paragraph prayer added to the Amida on Chanukah and Purim.

al het

"A Yom Kippur prayer that asks forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed during the previous year" (JPS).

al regel achat

lit. "on one foot"; off-the-cuff; "To answer a question or deal with a query very briefly and cursorily." (Glinert)

al tiftach peh lasatan

"Don't tempt Providence" (Glinert), or do not tempt fate.

aleichem sholom

Peace be upon you. Response to "sholom aleichem"

Aleinu

"A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people" (JPS)

aleph-bet

"A name for the Hebrew alphabet" (JPS)

aliyah

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

immigration to Israel

ascent

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

almemar

the platform on which the Torah is read in synagogue; the bima

alte bubby

old woman, great-grandmother

alte haym

Eastern Europe (lit. "the old home")

alte kaker

elderly person, old-timer [literally "old shitter"] "A crotchety, fussy, ineffectual old man." (Rosten)

altz iz gut

"All is well."

am haaretz

Bumpkin, ignoramus, uneducated person

Vulgar, boorish person

People of the land

Am Yisrael

"Literally, The People of Israel." (JPS)

Amalek

The biblical name of the nomadic people descended from Esau who became the enemies of the people of Israel.

Any enemy of the Jewish people

amcha

the every-man, everyday people; the folk (as opposed to the elite)

amen

Agreed. "The word used at the end of prayer to signify affirmation." (Rosten)

Amida

The Shemoneh Esrei prayer, which is said while standing [Amida, lit. "standing".]

amora

A Talmudic sage whose teachings comprise the Gemara. "Amoraim are contrasted with the tannaim, ancient rabbis who are quoted in the Mishnah" (JPS).

amud

page (in a prayerbook)

one side of a page (of Talmud)

pulpit, lectern

ani maamin

The thirteen articles of Jewish faith written by Maimonides, each beginning with the phrase "ani maamin" ("I believe"). "The twelfth of which says, I believe believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah. Even though he may tarry I will wait for him on any day that he may come'" (JPS).

Anim Zmirot

"A hymn composed of an alphabetic acrostic of 31 lines, generally sung in front of the open ark at the conclusion of the Musaf service on Shabbat." (JPS)

aniyim

Poor people

annos

Anniversary of someone's death

answer up

counter, retort

anticirc

Growing movement of Jews and non-Jews who are opposed to circumcision.

antisemitism

"Prejudice or discrimination against Jews and the Jewish people" (JPS).

Hatred against Jews.

apikoros

heretic, non-believer, especially one with great knowledge of Judaism

Aramaic

Judeo-Aramaic, a northern Semitic language related to Hebrew.

Arava

"The dry lowland area of the eastern Negev, often called the Aravah Vallet" (JPS)

aravot

"the branches of the willow that are part of the lulav used on Sukkot" (JPS).

arba kanfot

A tallit katan (see tzitzit)

arba kosot

"The four glasses of wine drunk on Passover" (Glinert).

arba minim

"The four plant species used on Sukkot" (Glinert).

arbes

Boiled chickpeas

arisa

section of a pool

ark

"the cabinet at the front of an Ashkenazic synagogue that houses the Torah scroll." (JPS)

aroisgevorfene gelt

"a waste of money"; lit., thrown out money.

aron kodesh

"Literally, "holy ark"." (JPS)

aruchat erev

dinner

Asara B'Tevet

"A minor fast day that falls on the 10th of Tevet. It commemorates the start of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia in 586 B.C.E., which is considered the beginning of the destruction of the First Temple" (JPS).

aseret y'mei teshuvah

"Ten Days of Penitence" (Glinert), the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Ashkenazi

pl. Ashkenazim. "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France (and their descendants)... The Ashkenazim migrated to Central and Eastern Europe during times of oppression" (JPS).

Ashkenazic

Adjectival form for 'Ashkenazim', "The name given to the group of Jews who were originally from Germany and France, and their descendants" (JPS)

Ashkenormative

Assuming that all Jews are Ashkenazi, not considering Jews with other backgrounds.

Ashki

nickname for Ashkenazi Jews

asina

Just like this/that, thus, in this manner. Such, even if.

askan

A Jewish communal or social worker (Steinmetz)

Activist

A person who is influential in working for the community

assur

forbidden

aufruf

Celebration when, traditionally, the groom, and as of recently in egalitarian communities, the engaged couple is called to the Torah the Shabbat before their wedding; that aliyah itself (aufruf means literally "to call up").

Av

"The fifth month in the Jewish calendar, it usually corresponds to July or August" (JPS).

avade

And how!

Of course. / Obviously!

aveil

pl. aveilim. "Someone who is in mourning" (Glinert).

aveilus

Mourning (Glinert)

averah

religious transgression (Glinert: "An aveirah is an infringement on the Torah, the opposite of a mitzvah.")

Avinu Malkeinu

"A High Holy Day prayer in which God is asked to 'be gracious to us and answer us, even though we have not done all the good that we might have'" (JPS).

avodah

"Literally, 'divine service'" (Eisenberg)

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).

Avodah b'gashmiut

serving God through the physical / material world (Hasidic concept)

avodah zarah

a tractate of the Talmud

idolatry

Avraham Avinu

"Our father Abraham" (Glinert)

avrech

A yeshiva student, or a young man who learns in a kollel.

A working person (non full time learner) who supports or is associated with Torah institutions

A young married male.

ayin hara

The evil eye

ayzeh bahsa

What a misfortune, how unfortunate, bummer

azoy

So, thus

Is that so? Really?

So-so

b'al pe

learned by heart, from memory

b'emet

"As a matter of fact." (Weiser); "Really?"

b'ezras hashem

With God's help.

b'laz

Abbreviation for "B'loshn am zar", "in a foreign language"; usually used by the commentator Rashi when using a Middle French expression

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.

b'shalom

"in peace" (used to sign off in written correspondence)

b'shem omro

"Giving credit for an idea" (Glinert)

b'tzelem Elohim

lit. "in God's image"

b'vakasha

JPS: "Literally, 'please'. It can be used in various ways, including "please go ahead" and at the end of a sentence as 'you're welcome'."

ba'al tekiah

"The title for the person who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (JPS).

ba'al tshuvah

a Jew raised non-religious who becomes Orthodox, [lit. 'one who returns/repents']

ba'u mayim ad nafesh

"Things are critical; it's make or break" (Glinert)

baal gaavah

"Arrogant person" (Glinert)

"conceited person" (Steinmetz)

baal koreh

The individual who chants Torah from the scroll at a synagogue. Sometimes used to refer specifically to a person capable of learning and chanting an entire parsha, or to a professional/paid reader as opposed to an amateur.

baal-teshuva

A Jew from a secular background who chooses to become observant.

"Newly religious Jew; penitent" (Glinert)

babka

"A loaf type coffee cake" (JPS)

bagel

"A leavened, firm, doughnut shaped roll" (JPS)

bageling

Inserting a Jewish phrase or concept into a conversation in order to indicate that one is Jewish or to determine whether the other person is Jewish.

Identifying another person as a Jew.

baitsim

balls, testicles, lit. 'eggs'

bakbuk mayim

water bottle

bal tashchit

Do not be wasteful, do not destroy.

balaboosta

1) Female head of household 2) Impressively competent homemaker

balabos

Male head of a household

Proprietor

balabotish

"Quiet; respectable; well mannered" (Rosten). "middle class"; normal

balagan

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

Bamidbar

The Book of Numbers, [lit. "in the wilderness"] (Glinert)

banot

girls

bar mitzvah

Jewish coming-of-age ceremony/celebration for a 13-year-old boy; the boy who has come of age.

baruch dayan haemet

"'Blessed be the True Judge!' (said on news of a bereavement)" (Glinert)

baruch haba

"Welcome!"

baruch Hashem

"Thank God," "blessed is God"

fine

baruch tihiyeh

"May you be blessed"

bashert

Predicate adj. "Predestined, fated" (JPS)

N. Predestined soul mate.

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)

batel b'shishim

"Of no significance" (Glinert)

A concept in kosher laws where if a small amount of forbidden food is mixed with a permitted one (such as dairy in a meat dish), the dish is still kosher provided that the prohibited item it is only one sixtieth of the total.

batlan

"Someone without a trade or regular means of livelihood" (Rosten).

"Someone with intellectual pretensions and half-baked ideas" (Rosten).

"One who consistently wastes time: Bum, Fainéant" (Weiser).

"An unemployed or lazy man" (Rosten).

"naive, impractical person" (Steinmetz)

"A misfit, such as a Talmud student of no promise" (Rosten).

"Layabout" (Glinert)

bayis

ancient Temple

Bayit Sheni

Second Temple, period of the Second Temple

A place one repairs to for debauchery after being expelled from one's initial location.

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.]"

Be well

Closing to a letter or conversation: Take care, be healthy

becher

2-handle cup for ritual washing of the hands before eating

kiddish cup (lit. "goblet")

bechina

examination, particularly for rabbinic ordination

bechira

free will

bechiya ledorot

"A cause for eternal regret" (Glinert)

bedieved

"done just well enough to fulfill a need or duty; perfunctorily" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

"under duress, or done when no options are available; as a last resort" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

done after the fact (in an acceptable, but still not ideal, manner); ex post facto

"resentfully; without enthusiasm; begrudgingly" (Weiser, Frumspeak)

bedika

Inspection or search, especially with regard to preparations for Passover

bedikas chametz

"The ceremony immediately before Pesach in which family members conduct a ritual search of the home for hametz, pieces of bread or leavened food that are forbidden on Passover" (JPS).

behatzlacha

good luck (a wish)

go with success

behema

an animal, especially a large one

a boor, an uncouth, unmannered individual

beineinu

between us

beis hamikdash

The Temple in Jerusalem

beit cafe

coffee house

beit din

A rabbinical court of law that makes judgments on matters of Jewish religious life, especially conversion and divorce.

beit knesset

Jewish place of worship; "synagogue" (JPS)

beit midrash

"Study hall" (Glinert)

"A religious school or synagogue Hebrew school" (JPS).

beiyun

"With depth and in detail: intensively"

bekies

"range of personal knowledge" (Weiser)

broad but not deep knowledge

bekishe

long black coat worn by Hasidic men

bekitzur

"Briefly or concisely: succinctly" (Weiser)

ben adam

a human being

ben bayis

frequent guest at someone's home

ben torah

a Torah scholar or moral individual

bench

JPS: "To recite a blessing. It usually refers to Birkat ha-Mazon, the Grace after Meals... The word can also refer to the reciting of any blessing; for example, the expression bentsch licht means to light Shabbat [or Chanukah] candles."

bench gomel

to say the blessing (called Gomel) said after someone survives a life-threatening situation; often recited pro forma after surviving childbirth or trans-oceanic travel

bench licht

(light and) bless candles

bencher

prayer booklet or card with the text of the blessings after meals, and often times including other meal-time blessings and songs

benoni

spiritually average person

Bereshit

The Book of Genesis [lit. "in the beginning"]

berya

"Complimentary term for a talented, competent, energetic woman, especially one who gets a lot done - and does it well - around the house." (JPS Dictionary of Words)

besamim

"Literally, 'spices.' It almost always refers to the spices in the spice box used for the Havdalah ceremony" (JPS).

Spices

"Modern Israeli slang for illegal drugs" (JPS).

beseder

allright; fine. [lit. "in order"]; "OK" (Glinert)

beteavon

bon appetit; enjoy your meal; dig in. Glinert: "Literally, 'bon appetit!'"

beys hakise

bathroom

bialy

A round, crusty chewy bread roll with an indented center well, the bialy is usually topped with toasted onions—and—at its most authentic—with poppy seeds. (JPS)

A flat breakfast roll, shaped like a round wading pool, sometimes sprinkled with onion. (Rosten)

bichlal

in any way, entirely, in general, altogether

bikur cholim

visiting the sick

bimah

pulpit; "A raised platform or stage in a synagogue from which the Torah is read and services are led." (JPS)

bimheira v'yameinu

Speedily and in our days

Birkat Habayit

“blessing for the house,” usually refers to a decorative piece of calligraphy for the home

Birkat Hamazon

The blessing after food, referring to the four blessing Grace After Meals said after consuming bread. Referred to in many communities as "bentching," or simply as "birkat" in some Jewish summer camps.

Birkot HaShachar

The first section of the morning prayers, which contains several individual blessings. (JPS)

Birthright

A free 10-day trip to Israel for young Diaspora Jews ages 18-26. Over 400,000 Jews have been to Israel on Birthright.

bishul chutz

Cook-Out.

bisl

"a little bit of something, a tiny piece" (JPS)

bitachon

faith, trust

security

biur chametz

Ceremonial burning chametz before Passover.

Bivas

Life! Said upon hearing someone sneeze.

biz hundert un tsvantsik

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

black hat

Haredi; describing people or traditions of the right end of the Orthodox continuum, encompassing Hasidic and non-Hasidic (or just non-Hasidic) Orthodox Jews, of whom the men wear black hats

blech

an electric hot plate or "sheet of metal that can be placed over the burners on a stove to retain heat, so that precooked food...can be kept warm during the Sabbath." (JPS)

bli ayin hara

Formula said in conjunction with a positive statement to ward off the evil eye. Lit. "without the evil eye."

bli neder

"Literally, 'without vowing', this is added to any casual promise to avoid it being taken as an absolute undertaking." (Glinert)

blintz

A folded thin pancake filled with cheese, fruit, or potatoes.

bochur

young unmarried male, especially a yeshiva student

bodek

also a brand of vegetables that has been checked for insects

check, especially looking for insects that would render produce non-kosher

boker or

literally, "morning light". said in response to "boker tov."

boker tov

"good morning"

bokser

The fruit of the carob tree, traditionally eaten on Tu Bishvat.

bond of life

Common translation of the Hebrew "tzror ha-hayim," referring to a transcendent realm where the souls of righteous are kept in safekeeping. Part of a phrase often inscribed on headstones or said in reference to the dead, meaning "may their soul be bound in the bond of eternal life."

borscht

"Borshtsh" is the Russian word for beet soup. Among Jews soup made from beets is considered Polish borshtsh, while Russian borshtsh is made from cabbage.

"An Eastern European soup traditionally made with beets." (JPS)

boychick

"A young boy...equivalent of the American expression 'buddy'" (JPS)

boydem

attic

bracha

blessing (in the technical or figurative sense)

bragas

underwear

break fast

the meal that takes place after a fast

brecha

pool

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.

bring down

cite or reference

bris

circumcision ceremony; the celebration surrounding it. Lit. covenant.

broch

curse

broiges

angry, annoyed (adj.)

a dispute (n)

bruchim haba'im

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

BT

ba'al teshuva, returnee to faith, Jew who chose to become Orthodox

bubbale

sweetie, darling [term of endearment]

bubbe

grandmother

bubbe meise

"old wive's tale"; an untrue story, sometimes related to superstition

"Something of little importance, an inconsequential thing or minor happening." (JPS)

Buenas semanas

Have a good week / what one says after making havdallah

bulbenik

One who is inept, clumsy, all thumbs, who fouls things up (Rosten)

An actor "who talks as though he has a potato in his mouth"—that is, an actor who "blows" his lines, mixes them up, commits embarrassing spoonerisms, a malaprop

bulvan

loud mouth know-it-all; "a boorish, brutish person" (Steinmetz)

bupkis

Nothing

Something worthless

burekas

A Turkish pastry filled with potatoes, other vegetables, and sometimes cheese.

busha

"Disgrace" (Glinert), shame, embarrassment

by

at [a location], at the house of, with, among, according to the opinion of, at [an event, time of year] (in addition to Standard English near).

candle lighting

"the custom of lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath" (JPS); the exact time at which holiday and Shabbos candles are supposed to be lit by according to Jewish law.

cashew

a person of Catholic and Jewish heritage

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.

chabadsker

n., a follower of Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., a Lubavitcher Hasid), often pejorative

adj., of or relating to Chabad Lubavitch (i.e., Lubavitcher), often pejorative

chabura

study group

chacham

rabbi (Sephardi)

wiseguy

wise, learned person; genius

chad gadya

The name of a song sung at the end of the Passover seder.

chadar ochel

dining hall, dining room

chag

"Festival" (Glinert)

chag sameach

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

chai

"Literally, 'life'" (JPS); 18 (see note)

chakira

proposition, treatise, deliberation

chaleria

Plague or cholera (literal or metaphorical)

"wreck," in the phrase "nervous choleria." A person who behaves wildly or badly, such as a mischievous child.

chalitzah

"Ceremony releasing a man from levirate marriage" (Glinert)

challah

"The braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on almost every Jewish holiday and [the Sabbath]" (JPS)

chalomot paz

Sweet dreams, literally "Golden dreams"

chalutzim

Pioneers in the building of the State of Israel.

chalutziut

Pioneering, specifically the Chalutzim movement in the region of Palestine. (https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=JPOST19500728-01.1.11&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------)

chametz

Leavened food.

chanichim

disciples (in a classroom)

campers; members of youth movement, as in Hashomer Hatzair

chanukiah

Nine-branched menorah / candelabrum used on Chanukah

chanutiya

At Jewish summer camp, canteen where campers get candy and other snacks. (https://ramahwisconsin.typepad.com/ramahwisconsin/2012/05/meet-rosh-sport-gal-atia.html)

chap

"to comprehend" (Weiser) (lit. "to grasp")

charoses

Sweet, mushy mixture that represents mortar at the Passover seder.

chas v'chalila

"heaven forbid" (Steinmetz's Yiddish and English dictionary)

chas v'sholom

"heaven forbid" (Glinert)

chashash

"A fear, a danger" (Glinert), a worry

chashuv

Important; of high status

chasidei umot haolam

"The pious of the world" (Glinert), non-Jews who have been particularly righteous and/or follow the seven Noahide Laws.

chassidish

Adhering to Hasidism, a mystical brand of Orthodox Judaism; having traits associated with Hasidim

chassidus

"Chasidism" (Glinert)

chatan

Bridegroom

chatan bereshit

"Bridegroom of Genesis" (Glinert), an honor given to an important member of the community on the holiday of Simchat Torah where the honoree is called up to the Torah for the last reading, which contains the first lines of the Torah.

chatan torah

"Bridegroom of the Torah" (Glinert), an honor given to an important member of the community on the holiday of Simchat Torah where the honoree is called up to the Torah for the penultimate reading, which contains the last lines of the Torah.

chatich

a sexy man

chatuna

wedding

chatzi kaddish

half kaddish: prayer that praises God and occurs several times during services, marking the separation between different parts of the service.

chatzos

halachic midday and midnight

chaval

a shame; a waste; "too bad!"

chaval al hazman

Wow! Expression of emphasis from Israeli slang. Original meaning is also used: "waste of time"

chaver

friend

comrade, mister (in left-wing political organizations)

chaverim

members, friends

chavruta

learning partnership; joint study session. "The person with whom one studies religious texts" (Weiser)

chayav

Guilty of transgressing. Liable.

chazak veematz

"Be very strong and courageous!"

chazakah

"Automatic presumption" (Glinert)

chazan

The official at a synagogue who leads the congregation in prayer and song. (JPS)

chazarah

(n.) review of material previously studied

chazer

"go over; review" (Weiser)

chazir

1. pork 2. a pig, greedy person (JPS)

Chelm

from Yiddish literature/folklore, "The 'legendary' town inhabited by befuddled, stupid, foolish, but endearing people." (JPS). Also a real town in Poland (Chełmno).

cherem

"excommunication; ostracism" (Yiddish)

chesed

an act of kindness

kindness

chesedik

kind

cheshbon hanefesh

"Soul-searching, self-accounting" (Glinert).

chet

The eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Often used to refer to a standing formation in the shape of the letter.

chevra

"society; close-knit group" (Yiddish)

chevra kedisha

burial society - volunteers who sit with the dead and prepare their bodies for burial

chevreman

"One of the guys" (Glinert)

chidon

A bible quiz in Orthodox camps and schools.

chidush

innovative idea; an insight; discovery; novelty

chillul Hashem

disgracing God's name; an action that might be looked down upon; an action that might make Jews look bad

chinuch

Jewish education

chiyuv

obligation

one who is in mourning and must say Kaddish

chochmah

"Brains; wisdom; a brilliant idea" (Glinert)

chofesh

Free time.

chol hamoed

"the intermediate days of the weeklong holidays of Pesach and Sukkot" (JPS)

choleh

A person who is ill

cholent

"A slow-cooked stew made of beef, beans, potatoes, and other vegetables. Cholent is a common Sabbath dish..." (JPS)

cholov yisroel

"milk which has been milked under Jewish supervision" (Glinert)

chosenness

Notion that Jews are God's chosen people, based on biblical quotes.

choshesh

To worry, to have a fear, to be concerned

chosid shoteh

"Pious fool; blind follower" (Glinert)

chozer b'teshuva

a returnee to the faith

chozer be-sheelah

someone raised Orthodox who chooses not to be aligned with the practice or ideology of Orthodox Judaism

chrain

A spicy paste made from grated horseradish.

chrein

horseradish

Chrismukkah

"Chrismukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau neologism referring to the merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas and Judaism's Hanukkah." (Wikipedia)

chug

elective class, group activity

group, circle (of people)

chultzah

"A uniform shirt worn in Jewish summer camps and youth groups, such as Habonim Dror." (https://habonimdroraustralia.wixsite.com/hdoz/symbols)

chumash

"A bound book containing the Five Books of Moses that is used in synagogue or for study." (JPS)

chumradik

stringent, used to imply that a person is making the most strict halachic ruling, or follows additional restrictions in his or her practice

chumrah

a religious stringency

chuppah

wedding ceremony (not including reception)

"The Jewish wedding canopy; that is, the cloth under which the Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted." (JPS)

chush

flair

feeling

sense

chutz la'aretz

Outside of Israel; the disapora, lit. "outside the land."

chutzpah

guts (positive)

nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)

chutzpahdik

impertinent

CJLS

a committee of Conservative Rabbis that meets semi-yearly to review t'shuvot (halachic proposals)

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).

collect

gather funds or fundraise for an institution.

conservadox

of a manner of Jewish religious practice that is considered to be intermediate between the Conservative and Orthodox movements in liturgy, observance, etc.

Conservative Judaism

originally known as "historical positive Judaism," a denomination that combines observance with an idea of "halachic process." See further comments below.

continuity

An objective, often expressed in response to rising rates of interfaith marriage, to ensure that Judaism is transmitted from one generation to the next.

convener

an organization that brings people or organizations together

counting the omer

counting of each of the forty-nine days between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuos

d'var torah

a brief teaching from Jewish sources [lit. "a word of torah"], "A short speech" (JPS)

da'as torah

Intuitive knowledge that comes from a lifetime of Torah study.

The authoritative wisdom of the tradition mediated by "gedolim" or great rabbis.

daf

A page of a Talmudic tractate.

daf yomi

Lit. "page of the day", refers to the program of study of a page of Talmud every day

Dahak

A joke. Or someone or something who is funny.

daled amos of halacha

"The four walls of the law" (Glinert)

dan l'kaf zechus

give the benefit of the doubt

dati

Modern Orthodox

religious

daven

pray; lead services

David Hamelech

King David

davka

"definitely or exactly stated; specifically" (Weiser)

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.)

just to annoy, just to be contrary

day school

Jewish grade school, where students learn both Jewish and secular subjects. "The general name given to private Jewish schools" in the United States and Canada (JPS)

daya letzara besha'ata

"Don't try to find crises!" (Glinert)

dayenu

"Literally, "it would have been enough."" (JPS)

De carne

Meaty / fleshing

De queso

Dairy / milchig / cheesy

degel

Flag; often refers to "morning degel," the flag-raising ceremony at many camps.

derech

(lit. "path") usually refers to an ethical lifestyle or the traditional, halachic Jewish lifestyle

derech eretz

Participating in modern society.

"Good conduct; normal, polite behavior in a social setting." (JPS). Manners, respect.

Devarim

"the Book of Deuteronomy", [lit. "words"] (JPS)

doikayt

hereness

diasporism

"strengthening Jewish communities wherever they live" (https://www.mycause.com.au/page/204399/hillels-bar-mitzveh)

dos

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

drash

n. sermon, interpretation of text

v. give a sermon, discuss an interpretation of the text

drasha

"Sermon, learned address." (Glinert)

dreck

"Trash, junk, garbage; cheap or worthlesss things." (Rosten), sh*t

dreidel

"A small, four-sided spinning top used in a game during Chanukah" (JPS); the top itself

duchen

A ritual where the kohanim recite the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), blessing the rest of the congregation.

dugma

example

dugma ishit

role model, personal example

dugree

Direct, unvarnished, uneuphemistic

dveykus

spiritual ecstasy; lit. "cleaving"

dybbuk

a spirit, "often thought to be the soul of a dead person, that wanders the earth looking for a living body to inhabit" (JPS)

eats out

Describes willingness of otherwise kosher-observant person to eat in non-supervised restaurant; connotation is that they will not eat non-kosher food (meat, shellfish etc), but are not concerned about the status of food prepared in otherwise non-kosher kitchen.

eema

mother

egal

adj. describing a non-Orthodox Jewish prayer group or service in which men and women can participate equally and a mechitzah (boundary separating women from men) is not used.

Eichah

"The Book of Lamentations" (JPS)

eidah

group, cohort; session/unit

ein

None; we / I / you don't have any; there is none.

ein breira

"there is no alternative." (Glinert)

ein hachi nami

"granted"; yes, that's how it is, that's certainly true

einikel

grandchild

Elohim/Elokim

"One of the many names used to refer to God" (JPS)

Elul

The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, just before the High Holidays season (or sixth, if one starts counting at Nissan).

emes

Truth, true

"In accordance with the truth: True" (Weiser)

emesdik

"Truthful, genuine" (Steinmetz)

"As a matter of fact: Genuinely" (Weiser)

emunah

"faith"; sometimes contrasted with practical striving in the material world

engagement

The degree to which an individual is active in or affiliated with a Jewish communal activity or organization, or to which a Jewish institution encourages such activity

erev

"Eve of." (Glinert) Evening, or the day before a Jewish holiday

erlech

honest, legitimate

religious

eruv

area in which a token enclosure enables one to carry on the Sabbath [without breaking the prohibition against carrying in a public space]." (Glinert)

es gezunterheyt

Eat in good health, similar to bon appétit

es shtayt geshribn

"It is written."

Escapamiento bueno

May the results be good/ said upon hearing of a pregnancy/ said before giving birth

eshet chayil

"woman of valor" (JPS); poem about such a woman in Proverbs 31.

esnoga

synagogue

ess

Eat

etrog

Citron (lemon-like fruit) used ritually on Sukkot

etz chaim

tree of life

ever-dying people

reference to Simon Rawidowicz quote that Jews have long seen themselves in danger of decline

eyd

A witness

eyer kichlech

Egg cookies, usually in the shape of bow ties.

farbissiner

adj. embittered, sullen, mean

n. sourpuss, mean person

farblondzhet

Rosten: "Lost...mixed up, wandering about without any idea of where you are." Can refer to being physically or intellectually lost.

farbrengen

Noun: a gathering or celebration that includes a spiritual or religious component.

Verb: to hold such a gathering or celebration.

farbrente

fiery, devout, fervent [lit. 'burning']

farchadat

"Dizzy, confused, dopey, 'punchy.'" (Rosten)

"Having a headache." (Rosten)

"Smitten, charmed, beguiled." (Rosten)

"Surprised, stunned, shocked." (Rosten)

"Confused, distracted, mixed up." (JPS)

"confused; dazed; stunned" (Steinmetz)

farfel

a side dish including bits of noodle, often sauteed with vegetables and beef or chicken stock

noodle pellets

farher

noun: an oral examination, typically on one's understanding of Talmud

verb: examine, test, quiz

faribel

grievance

to have a grievance, to be aggrieved

farkakte

"lousy, messed up, ridiculous" (JPS) Shitty, full of crap.

farmisht

mixed up, confused, crazy

farshteyst? (farshteyt)

literally 'do you understand?'

farshtunken(e)

literally 'stinking' (Rosten); contemptible

fartootst

"The state of being bewildered, disoriented, discombobulated; slightly more intense than tsedrayt." (Rosten)

federation

A local Jewish philanthropy which raises and distributes funds for social welfare, social services and educational needs in local communities and overseas, especially Israel.

feh!

an expression of disgust; "portraying...negative feelings" (Rosten)

feigele

Gay man

fershnickered

Drunk, intoxicated, extremely drunk

FFB

Short for "frum from birth." Refers to someone who grew up in a religious home, the opposite of a BT (ba'al teshuvah) who became religious as an adult.

FFT

'Frum from Tuesday' - a satire on 'FFB'. Denotes a very recent BT, usually someone who has not mastered the rituals / social cues of Orthodox practice.

fleishig

"The general term for food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws" (JPS)

flexidox

Halachically observant but in a flexible way. Reflecting the original intent and spirit of Orthodoxy, rather than the superficial details. Flexidox (adj.): Orthodox in spirit, flexible in practice; culturally rather than halachically Orthodox

flip out

When a Modern Orthodox post-high-school student becomes more religiously observant during or after a gap year at a yeshiva/seminary.

fluden

log-shaped pastry stuffed with apricot preserves, chopped dates, walnuts, and raisins

forshpayz

"appetizers" (JPS)

forshpil

An Ashkenazi custom of entertaining the bride on the Sabbath afternoon or evening preceding the wedding.

freilach

adj: happy, merry

noun: (frailach or freylekhs) a lively song/dance performed at simchas

fress

To gobble up food; to gorge oneself. "To eat quickly or noisily, like an animal" (JPS)

fresser

big eater, "pig". "A heavy eater." (JPS)

from strength to strength

phrase of blessing used on momentous occasions

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.

frosk

a slap

frum

religious; observant; Orthodox

futz

waste time (usually "futz around")

tinker with; make small changes

g'mar chatima tova

"A customary greeting among Jews on Yom Kippur [and the period between Yom Kippur and Rosh haShanah]" (JPS). lit. "a good end of [the process of] sealing [in the Book of Life]".

gabai

verb: to serve as gabai

noun: The officer of the synagogue who determines which congregants are to receive Torah honors at the service.

noun: The (lay) person who calls Jews to say blessings over the Torah reading and follows along with the Torah reading to correct any mistakes.

gadol

literally "big," refers to particularly well respected rabbis; "luminary" (Weiser)

gaga

A version of dodgeball played in a hexagonal or octagonal "pit," sometimes referred to as "Israeli dodgeball." Gaga is common in Jewish summer camps, schools, and community gatherings and has spread to non-Jewish settings as well.

gam ani

"me, too"

gam zu l'toyve

"This too is for the best."

gantseh

entire, complete

gaon

Modern Hebrew: genius (JPS)

"A rabbi whose learning was so great that he was given the honorary title of gaon" (Rosten), e.g. the Vilna Gaon

"A title of honor for the rabbis and teachers who were the spiritual heads of the Babylonian yeshivot between the 6th and 11th centuries C.E." (JPS)

gashmiyus

materialism, in contrast with spiritual concerns; "indulgence in earthly pleasures" (Weiser)

gaveta

Locker behind the synagogue seat.

gayve

pride; arrogance; obnoxiousness

gebrokts

(2) People who hold by the stringency against eating wetted matzah.

(1) Matzah that is mixed with liquid during cooking; avoided by scrupulously observant because of the possibility that unbaked flour in the matzah could be exposed to the liquid and thereby become chametz, forbidden during Passover.

gedolim

Important, influential people, especially renowned rabbis of the present or recent past. Luminaries (Weiser)

Secondary usage: feces or excrement.

geferlech

Dangerous, terrible

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.]

gehenom

Considered to be a temporary place one's soul goes after death, for atonement, before reuniting with God.

Hell (metaphoric)

gelt

"The foil wrapped chocolate coins that are a traditional Hanukkah treat for children." (JPS)

Money (slang usage)

gemara

"A compilation of 300 years of rabbis' legal and ethical commentaries on the Mishnah...together, the Gemara and the Mishnah comprise the Talmud." (JPS)

gematria

"An ancient system of Hebrew numerology," (JPS), in which each Hebrew letter possesses a numerical value, allowing words or phrases to express possible "hidden" meaning (when one adds up the letters' values)

gemilas chesed

(pl. gemilas chasodim) A loan of money without interest to help a needy person.

gemilut chasadim

"Literally, "acts of loving kindness"", (JPS) often used in reference to charitable activities

genizah

A storage room in a synagogue where disused sacred books and often-sacred articles are kept, since bringing them or disposing of them otherwise is considered a sacrilege.

genosn oyfn emes

Sneezed on the truth, the sneeze confirms the truth.

genug

enough

ger

(pl. gerim) A convert to Judaism.

ger tzedek

A "righteous convert" to Judaism.

geschrei

yell, shout

gesheft

business

geshmak

delicious, delightful

gesundheit

Health. (Bless you) - said in response to a sneeze.

get

a writ or deed of divorce

geulah

redemption

gevald

an interjection of alarm

gey avek

"Go away!"

gey schluffen

Go to sleep!

geza

n. good lineage, adj. having good lineage. people from the right families that go back generations within a given Orthodox community

gezerah

"An authoritative command either to perform or to refrain from performing a particular act" (Weiser)

"an addition to a previously existing precept" (Weiser)

In Jewish law, a prohibition enacted by the Sages as a measure to protect religious observance under changed conditions.

"evil decree" (Steinmetz)

gezinta

a big healthy girl (or the adjective denoting such)

a sexy lady

gezunt

n. health

adj. healthy

gezunterheyt

lit., while in good health

"Fine, go ahead" (ironic).

give/get

The amount of money that a board member of an organization is responsible to contribute, either by a personal donation ("give") or by the member's individual fundraising ("get").

giyur

The act of converting to Judaism.

Conversion ceremony

glatt

Showing consistency of reason (Weiser).

Super-kosher (not only of food), or acceptable to the Haredi community.

glida

ice cream

glitch

flaw; slight problem in a process

gmar tov

Greeting/closing used between Rosh Hashana and the end of Yom Kippur. Lit. 'good conclusion'

golem

"A creature of Jewish medieval folklore, a golem is a figure made into the form of a human and given life." (JPS)

golus

literally "exile" (JPS); outside of the Land of Israel; away from a vibrant Jewish community; the time period since the destruction of the Second Temple at Jerusalem (Glinert)

gondi

A Persian Jewish soup, commonly prepared on Shabbat, consisting of a meatball/meat dumpling prepared with ground chickpeas in a chicken or meat broth.

gonif

thief

good for the Jews

an expression, often used ironically, to ask what the effect of a given event will be on the Jewish community.

good Shabbos

Literally, "Good Sabbath" (JPS); standard Sabbath greeting

good yom-tov

standard holiday greeting

gorgel

neck, throat (generally of poultry)

goy

a nation, but not the Jewish nation

"most often used among Jews to refer to someone who is not a Jew" (JPS)

goyish

"in the manner or style of a non-Jewish person" (JPS), especially something WASPy or "white bread"

goyishe kop

Someone who fails to use his/her head; a dull mind. Someone who thinks like a non-Jew. Lit. "non-Jewish head."

goyte

non-Jewish woman, especially domestic worker

grager

a noise maker used on Purim to drown out the name of Haman; something that makes a lot of noise

gramen

rhymes; especially a rhyming poem or song

gribines

Deep-fried skin of chicken or goose, often prepared with onion and schmatlz. Also called cracklings.

gurnisht

"nothing, zilch, zero" (JPS)

gut chodesh

"Good month!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Chodesh.

gut moed

"Good festival season!" Used by Ashkenazim on Chol Hamoed.

Gut Morgen

"Good morning!"

gut voch

"Good week!" Ashkenazi greeting at the conclusion of the Sabbath.

gut yontef

"Happy holiday!" Ashkenazi greeting used on any of the holidays, including Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur.

gut yor

"Good year!" Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

hachnasas orchim

hospitality (lit. "bringing in guests")

hachnosas kallah

charitable support for poor young women to get married

Hadeed

Awesome.

Hafgana

Demonstration, protest.

hafsaka

break or interruption

haftorah

"A reading from the biblical book of Prophets that is recited in synagogue immediately following the reading of the Torah" (JPS)

haggadah

"The small book of liturgy, prayers, songs, and rituals used at a Pesach seder" (JPS)

Hagim u'zmanim lesasson

Holidays and seasons for rejoicing!

Hagiographa

The formal English name of the Ketuvim, usually translated as "the Writings."

hajj

to stop, "enough" (slang), not in the mood

Hak mir nisht keyn tshaynik

Literally, don't knock a teakettle at me

Stop annoying me

Don't bother me

HaKadosh Baruch Hu

God, lit. "The Holy One, Blessed Be He"

hakafah

a go-around (similar to sivuv)

parade, processional with the Torah on Simchas Torah

hakshivu

"Attention;" used to begin announcements at many camps. (https://ramahwisconsin.com/blog/2016/12/reflections-on-ramahs-first-summer)

halacha

"Jewish law" (JPS)

halacha l'ma'aseh

Practical application of Jewish law, i.e. how it's actually practiced. More broadly, can simply mean "what people do".

halakhic-egalitarian

A type of prayer group, service, community, or personal practice where people of all genders participate fully and equally in prayer services or other ritual functions (particularly women also performing rituals traditionally ascribed to men), while maintaining an adherence to traditional halachic practice, and seeing the egalitarian aspects of practice as harmonious with halacha.

halevai

If only

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

I wish!

Half Shabbas

Describes Sabbath observance by someone (usually a teenager) who observes Shabbat in every respect - except one: they text/SMS/tweet on Shabbat (or use other digital communication). May extend to using other electronic/digital devices as well (e.g. tablets).

halleluyah

praise God

hamentaschen

"Small, triangular-shaped cookies filled with fruit or jam that are eaten on Purim" (JPS)

hamevin yavin

"those who understand will understand." "You know what I'm talking about."

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

handl

to bargain, do business

hanhallah

The senior staff at a camp.

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")

Hanukkah Alegre

Happy hannukah!

harbotzas hatorah

spreading of Torah knowledge

hardal

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

Haredi

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

Harry

A single, yeshivish male (see bochur) who is less culturally yeshivish than his peers.

Hashem

God, lit. "the name"

Hashem imachem

"God be with you!" Sephardi greeting given by ice approaching the Torah-reading desk after being called up to the Torah.

hashgacha

Rabbinic supervision designating food as kosher

Divine providence, interference, attention

hashkafah

ideological outlook; point of view; "philosophy" (Weiser)

hashpa'ah

motivating force, source for change in one's actions, influence

influence, or effect, particularly on one's character, development, and/or behavior

Hasid

A follower in a non-religious sense (ironic).

Adherent of a Hasidic Jewish group ("A mystical religious movement founded in Poland" (JPS)

A disciple of a rabbi, not only a member of a Hasidic group.

Pious person

hasraah

A formal warning given to a person who is about to commit a sin.

hatikvah

literally "the hope." "The Israeli national anthem." (Glinert)

havdalah

"literally 'separation'. The ceremony that marks the end of [the Sabbath] on Saturday evening" (JPS)

havurah

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

hazarai

treyf (non-kosher) food

junk food

"Junk, trash" (Rosten)

hazzanut

"Cantorial singing" (Glinert)

hechsher

(Rabbinic) stamp or seal of approval-- typically designating a product as kosher

heeb

slang term used to describe a Jewish person

hefker

running wild, undisciplined

ownerless

heicha kedusha

abbreviated version of the repetition of the Shmona Esre / Amidah

heimish

3. at home, comfortable

1. familiar, homey, informal, cozy, warm

2. Haredi Orthodox

helzel

chicken neck, poultry neck, stuffed poultry neck, the skin around the chicken's neck which is then stuffed

heter

rabbinic allowance

hiddur mitzvah

"Literally, 'beautifying the mitzvah.' The tradition of putting extra time, style, or resources into a mitzvah so that it is performed as beautifully as possible" (JPS).

hitbodedut

solitary prayer

hizuk

"Encouragement" (Glinert), inspiration, strengthening, uplifting

hock

"to bother incessantly: ANNOY" (Weiser)

hoda'ot

announcements

hold

to be on the verge of

to opine; to act in accordance with; to be of the opinion; to believe "maintain" (Weiser)

to maintain a degree of religious observance

agree with

holishkes

Sweet-and-sour cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground meat.

hoo-ha

hullabaloo, commotion

vagina

interjection of admiration or astonishment

hot dairy (out) / cold dairy (out)

a standard of kashrut held by some non-Orthodox Jews, which allows certain foods but not others to be eaten in non-kosher restaurants; "cold dairy" refers to unheated non-meat products such as a bagel with cream cheese, cold cereal, salads, or cottage cheese, while "hot dairy" refers to cooked dishes containing vegetables, fish or dairy.

hummus

A purée of ground chickpeas and sesame seeds.

I wish you well to wear it

A saying uttered on seeing a friend or relative wearing a new garment or accessory. It is value-neutral, not implying that the garment is nice, just that it is new.

ichsa

an expression of disgust

im yirtzeh hashem

if God wills it, God willing (used when making plans for or describing the future)

inside/outside

Dealing with a text directly (inside) or discussion about a text (outside) during different segments of a study session

inyan

significance within Jewish law.

topic [of conversation] (Weiser, Glinert).

matter (Steinmetz)

iser

prohibition

isru chag

"The day after the end of Pesach, Sukkos, and Shavuos, regarded as a semi-holiday on which mourning is curbed and fasting prohibited" (Dictionary of Jewish Usage)

Itchy

Ashkenazi Jew

iyun

study, "examination of sources to develop a coherent, educated opinion" (Weiser)

Jalapeño Bagel

A person of Hispanic (non-Jewish) and Jewish origins.

JAP

Jewish American Princess

JBA

Jew by Association

JDate

A popular dating site for Jewish singles.

JDub

An American Jew who is not Syrian (usually refers to Ashkenazim)

Jew Bub

"Jewish Bubble"; the network of Jewish organizations and social circles in which Jews interact mostly with other Jews

Jew by Choice

A convert to Judaism.

Jew crew

group of Jews who hang out together

Jewdar

ability to detect individuals' Jewishness (on analogy with "gaydar" and ultimately "radar")

Jewfro

a large, frizzy hairstyle, sported by Jewish men (on analogy with "afro")

Jewish geography

a "game" in which Jews attempt to identify common friends or acquaintances

Jewish professional

An employee, excluding support staff, of an institution, including a synagogue, non-profit organization, and school, specifically or largely devoted to a Jewish cause or agenda.

Jewishly

(Adverb) related to or in a manner that accords with religious or cultural values or knowledge common or important to the Jewish people

Jewishness

Ethnic or cultural Jewish identity, as distinct from "Judaism"

The quality of being a Jew, not limited to (nor necessarily excluding) religion, ethnicity, biology, or nationality.

Jewitch

A Jew who is a witch or pagan.

Jewy

Highly identified Jewishly, either outwardly in terms of actions and affiliations, or inwardly based on self-definition.

Demonstating stereotypical or conspicuous appearance or behaviors that identify one as a Jew.

JFK

Acronym: "Just for Kiddush." A joking or dismissive designation for a person who skips Saturday morning services but arrives at synagogue for the kiddush luncheon

justo

True, right.

Kab Shab

Abbreviated form of Kabalat Shabbat (the Friday night prayer service).

Kabbalah

a Jewish mystical work, sometimes used as a catch-all term for Jewish mysticism. "The Jewish mystical tradition" (JPS)

Kabbalat Shabbat

"Special prayers and songs included as part of Friday night services to welcome in Shabbat."

kaboles ponem

the reception before a wedding ceremony, consisting of a tish (for men) and a bedeken (for women). Lit. 'receiving the faces'.

kaddish

Prayer of mourning; prayer separating parts of the service; lit. "sanctification"

kaddishl

A son who will say kaddish for a parent (literally, "little kaddish").

kadima

a center-left political party in Israel

forward; onward; hurry up, quickly

kadosh

holy

kadur basis

baseball

Kahal

(the people of) a Jewish community

Synagogue, shul, congregation

kal v'chomer

by extrapolation we know; all the more so. "with assuredness of mind or action based on an earlier, more restrictive, premise; assuredly; certainly: indubitably." (Weiser)

kallah

bride

Jewish communal gathering, conference

kapara!

[the relatively minor mishap should be] an Atonement [for my/our/your sins, rather than something more serious]

kaparot

Ritual performed between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to remove sins carried out by swinging a chicken over ones head.

kapote

long black coat worn by Hasidic men

kashe

Question, difficulty (Steinmetz), challenge, objection.

A question posing some difficulty because of apparent inconsistencies with accepted premises: problem. A tough, perplexing question.

kashrut

"The body of Jewish dietary laws and regulations that specify what and how a Jew who keeps kosher can eat." (JPS)

katschke

a duck

kavanah

"Attention to the meaning, spirit, and purpose of words" (Weiser)

intent

kedai

"worth it" (Weiser)

kedusha

holiness, sanctity

a responsive prayer sung/recited by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader) and congregation as part of the Amidah in a minyan

kehila kedosha

A holy community.

kehillah

"A Jewish community" (JPS)

kein yirbu

"So they may increase in number"

keinehora

"no evil eye" (Rosten). "An expression said to ward off the evil eye or bad luck in general; the verbal equivalent of knocking on wood." (JPS)

keitzed m'rakdim

dancing before the groom and bride at a wedding, more often called 'wedding shtick'

kelev

dude

dog

ken

Yes

kenas

A fine paid as a penalty for wrongdoing.

keppele

head (smaller or cuter, often used in child-directed speech)

keppy

head, little head (informal, diminutive, often in child-directed speech)

kesher

connection, relationship, link

kesiva vechasima tova

"A good writing and sealing (in the Book of Life)!" Formal Ashkenazi greeting on Rosh Hashanah.

Keter

Crown, especially the crown decorating a Torah scroll.

ketubah

"The Jewish marriage contract, traditionally written in Aramaic." (JPS)

ketzeleh

little kitten, can be used as a term of endearment

keva

fixed aspects of ritual/liturgy

kezayit

A halakhic measure for the minimum amount that may not be eaten of a prohibited substance or that must be eaten to fulfill a commandment.

KFP

An abbreviation "kosher for Passover," meaning that the food fulfills the religious requirements to be eaten during Passover.

khremzl

"A fried fritter or latke, made of matzah meal and eggs, that may be stuffed with ground meat, nuts, or fruit. An old-fashioned Pesach recipe." (JPS Dictionary)

khurbn

the Holocaust

"Destruction of the Temple" (Glinert)

Destruction, generally

kibbitz

"To socialize aimlessly...To carry on a running commentary" (Rosten)

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.

kibbutz

"[Israeli agricultural] collective" (Glinert) Most settlements in Israeli which originally began as kibbutzim now function as regular municipalities.

kichel

small cookie or biscuit

cookies (plural)

kiddush

"blessing recited over wine" (JPS) on Sabbath or holidays at the beginning of the meal or ceremony. Reception after services. "The refreshments, usually including wine, juice, and pastries, that are offered after [the Sabbath] and holiday services in the synagogue." (JPS)

kiddush Hashem

the sanctification of God's name; "bringing honor to God" (Glinert)

martyrdom

kikar

square, open area

kike

A derogatory slur for a Jewish person.

kiki riki

brand name of clothing shells (thin, simple shirts; worn by Orthodox women under more revealing ones to provide coverage)

kima

Wakeup time

kimat

"almost or nearly" (Weiser)

kinder

"children" (Rosten)

Kinneret

the Sea of Galilee

kinyan

The act or manner of legally acquiring or agreeing to something.

"A groom's formal acceptance of the terms of the ketubbah. At a traditional wedding, this ritual takes place during the chossen's tish, when the rabbi or a witness, acting on behalf of the bride, offers the groom a handkerchief or some other object" (JPS).

kippah

"small, round headcovering" (JPS)

Kippur

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

kiruv

outreach work meant to encourage non-religious Jews to become religious, [lit. "to bring closer"]

kishka

"Stuffed derma: a sausagelike comestible of meat, flour, and spices stuffed into intestine casing and baked" (Rosten) Also, "guts," literally, Slavic. (Wikipedia)

kishkas

Intestines, gut

kitah aleph

level one; 1st. grade in primary school

kitniot

"Literally, 'legumes'...certain foods that are restricted during Pesach in some Jewish communities." (JPS)

kivyakhol

Substitute or euphemism for God's name, similar to Hashem

"As if", "so to speak," can be used to refer to anthropomorphic language about God

klafte

a naughty or nasty woman; a bitch

klal yisroel

"synonym for the Jewish people" (JPS)

klezmer

"Eastern European style of instrumental music" (JPS)

klug

curse, but not a severe one

klutz

"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)

knaidel

matzah ball; "a dumpling made of matzah meal meal and beaten eggs, usually served in chicken broth, often at the Pesach seder" (JPS)

Knesset

Israel's parliament

knis

Synagogue, Syrian word for 'shul'

knish

Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients

kochleffel

A cooking spoon, as for soup. By extension, a person who stirs up trouble; meddler, busybody.

kol b'seder

"Everything's fine."

kol hakavod

"well done" (Glinert)

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

Kol ishah

lit. 'The voice of a woman'. Refers to the prohibition of men hearing the voice of a woman singing.

kol tuv

"all the best" (JPS), a closing or farewell

kollel

Institution where married men pursue advanced Talmudic study.

kollel rabbi

A man who learns (studies traditional texts) - generally full-time - and offers classes and other services to the (non-Orthodox) Jewish community.

koppel

skullcap, kippah, yarmulke

kosher

"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws

kosher chazer fissel

One who appears to be religious, but is in fact, not, either wholly or in part; religious in appearance, non-religious in essence.

Kotel

"The Western Wall"/wailing wall (Glinert)

kova

hat

koved

"honor, dignity, respect" (JPS)

Kratsmach

Tongue-in-cheek way of referring to "Christmas," especially among Jews who want to avoid uttering the name of Christ.

krav maga

A form of mixed martial arts developed in the Israeli Army but popularized worldwide. Literally means "contact combat"

kreplach

(meat-) stuffed dumplings usually served in soup; Jewish wontons

kriah

Rending a garment (ritual of mourning)

Reading, especially Torah

krias shema

"The reading of the Shema" (Glinert)

krotzer

One who is confused, literally "scratching their head"

krovim

relatives

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"

kulah

A lenient ruling or measure

"A leniency based on subtle legality: Loophole" (Weiser).

kumkum

hot water urn

kumzits

sing-along; campfire gathering with singing

kuntz

strategy (Weiser)

feat, stunt, trick, challenge, ingenuity

peculiarity, particular oddness (JPS)

kupa

A system of sharing goods and money in the Habonim Dror movement.

kuracha

Tefillin bag

kurveh

(profane) whore, slut, bitch

kvater

one of the people honored to hold the baby at a circumcision ceremony; godfather

kvell

feel or express pride, "to be extraordinarily pleased" (JPS)

kvetch

"to chronically complain or gripe to others over minor issues" (JPS)

kvutza

An age-based group in Habonim Dror movement

l'chaim

traditional toast. [lit. "to life" (Rosten)]

L'dor va'dor

from generation to generation

l'hachis

spitefully; deliberately; literally "in order to anger"

l'havdil

to make a distinction (between two very different things)

l'shalom

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

la kashya

Not a problem, no difficulty. When two (Talmudic) opinions appear to contradict each other, "la kashya" signals that a resolution is at hand.

labriut

"bless you" (after someone sneezes) [lit., "to health"] (Glinert)

Ladino

Judeo-Spanish language

laila tov

"good night"

lamah lo?

"why not?"; "there's no reason not to.

lamden

a proficient Talmudic scholar

Land of Israel

not just the state of Israel but the physical place

landsman

Someone who comes from the same or nearby hometown, especially if one or both of you no longer lives there and all the more so if one or both now live far away from home, in which case an entire region (e.g., metro NY) or country e.g., Poland) may be the point of connection.

lapa

An animal's paw, dirty hands, especially that of a child or a lascivious man.

lashon hara

"gossip" (lit. "evil tongue") (JPS)

latka

"a potato pancake [fried in oil traditionally eaten on Chanukah]" (Rosten)

lav

לאו A scriptural prohibition

lay leader

an adult who helps coordinate programs of a Jewish organization in a volunteer capacity

a member of the board of directors for a Jewish non-profit organization

learn

"To be involved in the acquisition of Torah knowledge through reading and reflection, or to do so as an occupation: STUDY" (Weiser)

lechoira

seemingly as such while allowing for the possibility of the opposite; apparently; ostensibly (Weiser)

Able to be taken for granted; assumed true in the absence of proof to the contrary; presumably (Weiser)

lehitraot

"Goodbye for now, see you again soon" (JPS) "see you later."

leibedik

lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt

leichter

a small candle holder used to light the Sabbath candles, or the candelabrum itself

lekech

"Honey cake, traditionally served on Rosh Hashanah... made with honey, eggs, cinnamon, and, often, coffee" (JPS).

lekvar

prune filling

lemaan Hashem

"Definitely"

leshana tova tikateivu

"(May you) be inscribed for a good year (in the Book of Life)!" A formal greeting exchanged bu Ashkenazim on Rosh Hashanah.

levaye

funeral

leyn

to chant torah, haftarah or megillah

leytsanus

silliness; buffoonery

light

light Shabbat or holiday candles

ligner

liar

limudei kodesh

"holy studies"; Jewish religious studies

linker

leftist, socialist, secularist

Litvish

"Lithuanian"; associated with the rational, intellectual culture of Lithuanian Jewry; Yeshivish

lo aleynu

"I hope it won't happen to us"; "God forbid" lit. "not unto us"

lokh in cup

"hole in the head" (Rosten)

lokshen

noodles

lonso

stupid person, bear

LOR

Local Orthodox Rabbi

loshn

language; jargon

lox

smoked salmon

luftmensch

"an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income" (Merriam-Webster)

lulav

palm branch used ritually on Sukkot

LWMO

'Left wing Modern Orthodox'. The liberal wing of Modern Orthodoxy, in both attitude and observance.

M.O.T.

"member of the tribe;" a Jew

m'dor l'dor

from generation to generation

m'gayer

To convert someone to Judaism

To be converted to Judaism

A person or entity that converts someone to Judaism

A convert to Judaism

ma

What

ma la'asot

"what can you do?"

ma pitom

expression of surprise: What the heck?

maagal

A circle of people, as in a communal gathering or dance.

maapilim

Jews who immigrated illegally to Palestine during British control in the 1930s and 1940s - Aliyah Bet

Biblical: the group of the Children of Israel that went, unauthorized, to the Land of Israel after the episode with the spies

maarich

to extend, talk/write at length

maariv

the evening prayer

mabrouk

an expression of joyous congratulation used by Sephardi Jews equivalent to "Mazal tov!"

mabul

the Biblical Flood

a deluge; a torrent of rain

maccabiah

international Jewish sports competition, known as the Jewish Olympics, held (mostly) every four years since 1932; smaller regional competitions held in Jewish community centers around the world

color war / intra-camp competition in a Jewish summer camp

machal

a volunteer from outside Israel serving in the Israeli army

machanayim

A dodgeball-like game common at Orthodox camps.

machane

Summer camp [lit. "camp"]

machane kayitz

summer camp

macher

"1. Someone who arranges, fixes, has connections...someone who is [very] active in an organization" (Rosten) "important person", "hot shot"

machloket

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

machmir

stringent, "taking the stricter position on an issue" (Weiser)

meticulous

machzor

High Holiday prayerbook, used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

madrich

1. Youth counselor or supervisor 2. A teacher's assistant for elementary and middle schoolers during classes in religious schools.

magen david

"star of david", a symbol that has commonly been associated with Jews and Judaism; [lit. "shield of david"]

mah nishmah?

how are you?

mahtomer / matomeret

What are you saying? or What did you say? or Really??

maidel

girl

Maimonidean

Having to do with Maimonides, the Jewish rabbi, physician and scholar who lived in the 12th century

make

To urinate or defecate

makpid

Particular, conscientious, especially in relation to Jewish law.

malshin

noun: One who slanders, especially one who turns over a Jew to non-Jewish authorities; informer, stool pigeon, snitch

verb: To slander, malign, speak loshon hara about somebody.

mamaleh

diminutive term for a young girl [lit. 'little mama']

mamaliga

A Romanian-Jewish dish of thick cornmeal mush.

mame-loshn

"mother tongue", usually refers to Yiddish

mamish

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

mamzer

bastard [see note]; "A detestable [person] like the colloquial English "He's a bastard"" (Rosten)

mandelbrot

"Literally, 'almond bread.' A crunchy, dry cookie, similar to biscotti" (JPS).

Manischewitz

sweet brand of wine often used by American Jews for ritual purposes

mannah

the food that fell from the sky to feed the wandering Israelites in the Bible

marbitz torah

one who spreads Torah knowledge

to spread Torah knowledge

marit ayin

suspicious-looking action; doing something that may cause an observer to think that one violated halachah and thus arouse suspicion, or alternatively, doing something that could mislead somebody to interpret than an action is permitted and then violate halachah him/herself

maror

bitter herbs placed on the seder place on Passover

masa

A journey; at some camps, a hike or trip.

maspik

enough

matbea

blueprint, structure, form

matzah brei

fried matzah pieces mixed with eggs, usually eaten on Passover

Matzah minyan

A morning service (shacharit) that lasts 18 minutes or shorter.

matzah pizza

A nickname for Massapequa, a Long Island, NY, suburb with sizable Jewish and Italian populations.

a dish eaten by American Jews during Passover, where a piece of matzah is covered with tomato sauce and cheese, and placed in the oven.

matzav

situation

political, military situation in Israel/the Middle East

matzeivah

headstone

matzliach

"To thrive: Prosper" (Weiser)

"Accomplishing a mission or an attempt: Successful" (Weiser)

matzoh

unleavened bread eaten on Passover

matzoh ball

dumpling made with matzah meal and eggs and generally served in chicken soup

maven

"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)

mayim step

a dance move used in Israeli dance (also known as 'the grapevine')

mazel

luck (good)

congratulations

mazel tov

congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]

mazume

"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).

"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)

meaty

Food in the meat category, according to the Jewish dietary laws

mechaye

"Pleasure, enjoyment, a real joy" (Rosten); something that gives great joy

mechayil el chayil

"from strength to strength"

mechitza

the separation between men and women in Orthodox prayer spaces [lit. "separation"]

mechuten

In laws, more generally (http://www.pass.to/glossary/gloz2.htm#letm).

the father of one's child's spouse, though can sometimes be used to refer to the grandfather of one's grandchild's spouse.

mechuteneste

the mother of one's child's spouse

medakdeik

"Thorough or painstaking; avoiding error by virtue of the care exercised: CAREFUL." (Weiser) exacting, precise

mefakedet

A commander in the Israeli Defense Forces.

meforshim

any set of commentaries on classic religious texts

the rabbis who wrote such commentaries

mefunak

luxurious, elaborate, pampering

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

megillah

one of the five books that compose kethuvim--writings--in Tanakh; can also refer to the physical scroll on which one is written; a long, engrossing story or description

meguyar

A convert to Judaism.

mekarev

Literally "bring closer", used in the sense of bringing closer to traditional Judaism A noun for one who brings people closer to traditional Judaism.

mekayam

to fulfill an obligation

melacha

"Work or actions forbidden on Shabbat" (JPS). Mostly applies on Yom Tov, as well, and often refers to creative work, or use of electronics.

"That which requires exertion or effort: Task" (Weiser).

"Art or skill: Trade" (Weiser).

meldado

anniversary of someone's death; the study session done in honor of that person

member of the tribe

non-derogitory slang term used to identify a Jewish person

menorah

candelabrum, especially for Chanukah

mensch

"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)

menucha

Rest or rest time

meorer

to arouse an inappropriate impulse

merkaz

central area (of a given space)

mesameach

to gladden another person

meshuga

crazy

mesiras nefesh

self-sacrifice

mesorah

tradition

mevater

to nullify one's desires for the good of others

meykil

"One who is not strict: Liberal, Latitudinarian" (Weiser)

"Taking the lenient position: Liberal" (Weiser)

A decisor who follows a lenient option and issues a kulah (lenient ruling).

"Yielding to wishes: Indulgent" (Weiser)

"Not harsh or strict: Easygoing" (Weiser)

meyzid

One who commits a sin consciously and deliberately.

mezakeh

to acquire; strengthen

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

Mi Shebeirach

the prayer for healing said during a Torah service; [lit. "He who blesses"]

middos

character traits (singular: "middah")

midrash

stories or explanations that interpret or ellaborate on the Torah's text.

midrasha

Co-ed supplementary Jewish religious school, usually Reform

Orthodox women's seminary, especially in Israel

mieskeit

someone/something ugly

ugliness

mifkad

Formal group meeting, usually at a time of significance (e.g. morning, Shabbat services, meals).

migrash

A sports court or field.

mikvah

"Ritual bath" (JPS)

milah

ritual circumcision

milchig

"...food in the "dairy" category, according to the Jewish dietary laws...also refers to the utensils and dishes used for cooking, eating, and serving milk products." (JPS)

minhag

custom; "A tradition that is not mentioned in the Torah or mandated by law but nonetheless is followed." (JPS)

minhag hamakom

local custom

minyan

prayer quorum of 10 Jews age 13 or older (traditionally male; in some communities male or female)

religious community

small service

mirpa'ah

The infirmary at Jewish summer camps, including Ramah. Often simply called "the Marp." (https://campramah.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Camp-brochure-Phase2-FINAL.pdf)

mish

verb. To mix; to eat at other families' houses during the week of Passover.

mishegoss

"Foolishness, nonsense, craziness." (JPS)

mishlachat

A delegation of young Israeli adults who work at American summer camps.

Mishnah

an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.

Mishneh Torah

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

mishpacha

"Literally, "family". ...The word conveys a warm feeling of friendship." (JPS)

misnagdim

Non-Hasidim (literally "opponents.")

mission

An organized trip meant to expose participants to the work of a nonprofit organization, raise awareness of a cause, and/or deliver supplies or services to a deserving population. Unlike the Christian use of the word "mission," Jewish missions do not signify a proselytizing motive.

mitbach

Kitchen

mitpachat

headscarf worn by Orthodox Jews

mitzvah

Literally, "commandment"

good deed

Mizrachi

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

Moadim lesimcha

Happy holiday! Greeting used on Pesach and Sukkot.

moadon

clubhouse, lounge

Modern Orthodox

'Modern Orthodox'. Observant, but open to the outside world, general culture and education; not 'Yeshivish' or 'Haredi'.

mohel

A person trained to perform Jewish ritual circumcision

mora

Teacher - Female

moshiach

The Messiah

moshl

parable, example

muktzah

An object that it is forbidden to handle on the Sabbath and on certain holidays (generally because the object's primary purpose involves actions considered work and forbidden on those days).

Munchos y buenos

Many good ones (with good health). Said for a birthday, anniversary or other happy occasion.

musaf

The additional service added to the morning services on the Sabbath and holidays.

musar

reproof; system of ethics; discipline

a Jewish ethical movement that crystallized among non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews in Lithuania in the 19th century, led by Israel Salanter, focusing on character development.

muvan me'elav

self-evident

naches

"Proud pleasure, special joy--particularly from the achievements of a child... 2. Psychological reward or gratification." (Rosten)

Nachshon

Trailblazer. Initiator. Someone who takes a risk when others are not willing to.

nafke mine

practical difference

nalashevet

Please sit.

name game

The attempt to identify whether someone is Jewish based upon whether their name 'sounds' Jewish.

narishkeit

"1. Foolishness 2. A triviality" (Rosten)

navi

prophet; class on Prophets

nebach

interjection, adverb: "unfortunately"; noun: an unfortunate person

nebbish

noun: nerdy, clumsy, awkward person. "An innocuous, ineffectual, weak, helpless, or hapless unfortunate" (Rosten)

neder

a vow

nedivut

generosity

negel vasser

literally "nail water"; refers to the practice of washing ones hands immediately after waking

negiah

"touching"; usually used in the phrase "shomer negiah", which is the custom of avoiding touch with members of the opposite sex outside of one's family

nekiyus hadibur

Literally "purity of one's speech"

neros

candles

nes

miracle

neshama

soul

nesiah tovah

"have a good trip"; bon voyage

nice Jewish boy

Jewish male, in pop culture it often indicates nebbishy traits and lack of traditional masculinity

nicht shabbos geret

Not to speak of on Shabbat (used when a subject is not suitable for the Holy Shabbat, primarily business and money manners, to indicate that one shouldn't discuss it). Usually followed by a short comment about the "forbidden" subject.

nidche

pushed off, set aside. Usually referring to a fast day, which cannot be on a Saturday, so the fast is "pushed off" until Saturday night / Sunday.

niddah

menstrual impurity; often used to refer to the entire body of Jewish law surrounding the practice of abstaining from intercourse during the menstrual cycle

nifter

deceased

nigun

"A wordless melody; a tune" (JPS)

nikayon

time set aside for cleaning / tidying up (at camp)

nisayon

trial and tribulation; a test of faith

nishtikeit

a nobody

nittel nacht

Christmas Eve

no-goodnik

bad person, scoundrel (sometimes humorous or affectionate)

noch

still, yet, moreover

nogeia b'dovor

one who has a vested interest in something; not a disinterested party. "related in a way as would affect an opinion: associated." (Weiser)

noodge

noun: pest, whiner

verb: bore, pester, nag

nosh

to snack or eat; a snack

nosherai

snacks

nu

so what?; so?; hurry up already

nudnik

"A pest, a nag, an annoyer, a monumental bore." (Rosten)

OB"M

"of blessed memory"

Off the derech

No longer religious/observant; now following a non-religious/non-observant lifestyle.

ohel

tent (in a summer camp setting)

structure built over a grave, especially that of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

oilam

a group of people

the world; the public

okh un vey

"a pity on him"

an unenviable position

olam habah

"The world to come"; the messianic age; Heaven

olav ha-sholom

"peace be upon him"; said of someone who is deceased

oleh

Immigrant to Israel; a person who makes aliyah.

omanut

Arts and crafts

omein selah

may it be so

on one foot

translation of Hebrew "al regel achat" or Yiddish "af eyn fus": off-the-cuff; quick, quickly, quick answer (from a Talmudic story about Rabbi Hillel summarizing the Torah to a potential convert while standing on one foot)

oneg

a informal, festive gathering Friday night involving food, casual Torah study, Jewish songs, etc.

onesh

Punishment

ongepotchket

overly elaborate, excessively decorated, slapped together senselessly

Open Orthodox

a breakaway movement to the left of Modern Orthodoxy, declared outside of acceptable Orthodox boundaries by most mainstream Orthodox rabbis

orel

non-Jew (contemptuous, pejorative).

Ortho

shorthand, or slang term, for Orthodox

oso ha-Ish

literally "that man", an irreverent/euphemistic reference to Jesus of Nazereth

oy

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

oy vey

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

oysgeputst

dressed-up, decked out in finery (Steinmetz), overembellished.

pachech

a complainer

parasha

general realm of feasibility, ballpark (Weiser)

a tedious, lengthy enumeration or account, litany (Weiser)

Selection of the Pentateuch read publicly on the Sabbath.

period of dating for marriage (Orthodox Jews)

conversation (Weiser)

parnasa

livelihood, income

parve

1. neither milk nor meat; 2. uninteresting, plain, generic

pasken

to rule halachically

pastrami

Smoked, seasoned deli meat

patrilineal

Being considered Jewish because one's father but not mother is Jewish.

patsh

to give a light slap

a smack (playful)

patshke

"1. To fuss or "mess around" inefficiently and inexpertly. 2. To dawdle, to waste time." (Rosten)

patur

not liable, exempt

payos

Sidelocks, sidecurls, or earlocks, common among Haredi boys and men.

pekel

little bundle

peoplehood

sense of belonging to the world Jewish people

perush

A commentary on a text, something that makes the meaning clear.

Pesach

The Jewish Holiday of Passover

pesadik

"Acceptable to be eaten on Pesach" (JPS), kosher for Passover.

peshat

"The literal, obvious meaning scholars give to a Jewish text. It can also refer to the simple interpretation of any issue or question." (JPS)

"An explanation of the logic behind or the source of a passage, event, work, etc." (Weiser)

Justification

petcha

Calves' foot jelly or jellied chicken served with garlic and spices as an appetizer.

petek

note

peula

activity

peulat erev

evening program/activity

Pew

Shorthand reference to “A Portrait of Jewish Americans,” a comprehensive survey, released in October 2013 by the Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life Project. Upon its release, the survey's findings on population, Jewish identity, and interfaith marriage seemed likely to play a central role in determining priorities for myriad Jewish institutions.

pidyon haben

ceremony of redemption of the first-born son; celebration surrounding this ceremony

pikuach nefesh

The principle that the law of saving a person's life takes precedence over all other laws, with the exception of the laws prohibiting idolatry, incestuous relations, and the murder of an innocent person.

pintele yid

"essential Jewishness"

pirog

(pl. pirogen, pirogn) A small dumpling filed with meat or vegetables.

pish

urinate

urine

pishachs

(vulgar) urine, piss

pisher, little pisher

a diminutive that combines amusement, admiration and annoyance

pishkado i limon

Literally 'fish and lemon'. Used when trying to change the subject, normally when the topic of conversation is inappropriate (e.g., talking about business on Shabbat, talking about a deceased person)

pisk

mouth, loud-mouth, similar to English slang "trap" for mouth.

(vulgar) snout, grimace (Steinmetz)

Colloquialism: an eloquent or garrulous speaker. (Rosten)

pita

A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.

pitseleh

little one, dear

pizza bagel

A person of (non-Jewish) Italian and Jewish descent.

plata

electric hotplate used on the Sabbath

pletzl

"A thin, flat, crisp roll, often garnished with poppy seeds or onion" (Rosten)

Ploni

An anonymous placeholder name, like "John Doe;" So-and-So.

plotz

"1. To split, to burst, to explode. 2. " To be aggravated beyond bearing" (Rosten) [lit. "to explode"]

polkeys

thighs (esp. of a chicken or baby)

posek

a rabbi/scholar who makes halachic decisions/rulings

poshet

simple

posl

invalid

prakes

Stuffed cabbage, also known by holiptshes, goluptshes, and golomkes, among other names

pritse

an immodest woman

pritsus

immoral behavior

prost

coarse, base, not classy, vulgar, common

psak

rabbinic ruling

pshetl

subtle or hair-splitting argument about a Jewish text

dvar torah (Orthodox)

pshh

exclamation of respect

Psukei d'Zimrah

the first part of morning services, after the morning blessings mostly comprised of Psalms [lit. "verses of praise"]

punim

face

pupik

Navel, belly button

Purim

A joyous holiday that takes place in February or March on the 14th of Adar, retelling the story of the Book of Esther.

Purim Alegre

Happy Purim!

pushke

"The little container...in which money to be donated to charity is accumulated." (Rosten)

putz

"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]

putzing, putzed

wasting time [offensive]

rachmones

mercy, pity, empathy

ram kol

loudspeaker

reb

"sir"; "mister"

rebbe

the spiritual leader of a Hasidic sect

rebbeyish

pertaining to the Hasidic rebbe

rebetzin

wife of a rabbi

reckel

long black coat worn by Yeshivish men

Recon

Adj. Of or pertaining to Reconstructionist Judaism (a movement founded by Rabbi M. M. Kaplan, emphasizing Judaism as a civilization more than a religion).

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.

Reform Judaism

A liberal, progressive branch of Judaism that emphasizes choice through knowledge.

refua shlema

"Get well soon." Lit. "full recovery"

refusenik

Term for Soviet Jews who were not allowed to openly practice Judaism or emigrate from Soviet Union.

rega

wait, hold on; lit. "an instant"

reid

n. "unofficial information spread through the grapevine" (Weiser), especially information related to Talmud study

v. refer someone for a marriage match; pronounce a match

n. speech, talk

religious school

after-school jewish supplementary education, usually from elementary through high school. may occur during the week or on sundays.

renewal

An alternative stream of rabbis and congregations, independent of the "mainstream" denominations, that fosters an open and experimental approach to Judaism, often drawing from the Jewish mystical tradition and non-Jewish spiritual traditions.

Practices and beliefs in keeping with the philosphy of the renewal movement.

responsa

Written decisions and legal rulings by rabbis appointed to be legal deciders.

rikud

dancing, especially Israeli dancing (at camp)

rishon

"Earlier rabbis and scholars, who lived from around the 11th to the mid-15th century C.E., before the Shulchan Arukh, the compilation of Jewish law, was written." (JPS)

rosh

The head of a division or area of camp (e.g. age group, sport, art, education).

Rosh Chodesh

start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar

rosh edah

supervisor of staff member responsible for a particular age group at summer camp

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish new year

rov

A particularly notable rabbi; a halachic decisor

ruach

spirit, "spiritedness, morale" (JPS)

ruchnies

spirituality

rugelach

"Bite-size crescent-shaped pastries, rolled around a variety of fillings, including chopped raisins and walnuts, apple, raspberry, [chocolate] or mun, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar" (JPS)

RWMO

'Right-wing Modern Orthodox' - often University-educated and open to (certain) professional training and education, but seriously committed to halakhic observance.

s'chiya

swimming

S/Y

Syrian Jew

saba

grandfather

sababa

Awesome. Cool.

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)

safek

A doubt or doubtful case.

"Unresolved question: Uncertainty" (Weiser)

"Doubt in the integrity of: Suspicion" (Weiser)

sakanah

danger

Salud y vida

Have health and long life! Said in response to Buenas semanas / Shavua tov.

savlanut

patience

savta

grandmother

savtadik

(1) something that reminds one favorably of one's savfta (grandmother); (2) something that meets with savta's approval

schach

branches or bamboo used to cover a sukkah

schav

A cold cream-of-sorrel soup.

schiya

Swimming

schlemiel

idiot; contemptible person. "Clumsy, bungling person." (Steinmetz)

schlep

"To carry, lug" (JPS)

An annoyingly long journey

To travel from one place to another when one would prefer not to

schlimazel

Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings

schlissel

key

schlong

a penis

schmaltz

"Rendered chicken fat." (JPS)

schmaltzy

"Overly sentimental or romantic." (JPS)

schmatta

rag, old/ragged piece of clothing, garment

schmear

to spread; cream cheese

schmegege

"silly or stupid person; simpleton; nitwit" (Steinmetz)

"An untalented loser; a whiner; a petty person" (JPS).

"An unadmirable, petty person" (Rosten)

schmooze

to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up

schnapps

"A strong, dry liquor." (JPS)

schnoder

"to pledge a donation" (Steinmetz).

schnorr

to get something for free, to mooch

to beg, to request money