antisemitism

Hatred against Jews.

bar mitzvah

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

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.

chutzpah

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

guts (positive)

Conservative Judaism

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

farkakte

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

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")

kibbitz

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

kibbitzer

Someone who jokes, fools around.

Someone who "gives unasked-for advice ... especially as a bystander-observer at a game (bridge, poker, checkers, chess)." (Rosten)

klutz

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

knish

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

kosher

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

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"

kvell

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

maven

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

mazume

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

"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)

menorah

candelabrum, especially for Chanukah

mensch

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

meshuga

crazy

oy

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

oy vey

exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise

putz

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

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.

schlimazel

Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings

schmooze

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

shanda

"Scandal, shame." (JPS)

Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.

shmuck

annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)

shtetl

"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)

tchotchke

trinket, knicknack

verklempt

overly emotional, choked up; speechless; unable to express one's feelings/emotions

yarmulke

religious skullcap

yid

a Jewish person

A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).