Showing 38 of 38 words, page 1 of 1
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antisemitism
"Prejudice or discrimination against Jews and the Jewish people" (JPS).
Hatred against Jews.
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bar mitzvah
Jewish coming-of-age ceremony/celebration for a 13-year-old boy; the boy who has come of age.
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Chabad
an outreach-oriented branch of Hasidic Judaism that follows the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Chabad has thousands of branches around the world, including at many college campuses.
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chutzpah
guts (positive)
nerve, audacity, the quality of over-stepping boundries with no shame (negative)
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Conservative Judaism
originally known as "historical positive Judaism," a denomination that combines observance with an idea of "halachic process." See further comments below.
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farkakte
"lousy, messed up, ridiculous" (JPS) Shitty, full of crap.
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Hagiographa
The formal English name of the Ketuvim, usually translated as "the Writings."
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hanukkah
The winter-time festival that commemorates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt in the second century B.C.E. (lit. "dedication")
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hummus
A purée of ground chickpeas and sesame seeds.
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kibbitz
"To socialize aimlessly...To carry on a running commentary" (Rosten)
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kibbitzer
Someone who "gives unasked-for advice ... especially as a bystander-observer at a game (bridge, poker, checkers, chess)." (Rosten)
Someone who jokes, fools around.
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klutz
"clumsy, slow-witted...person" (Rosten)
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knish
Eastern European dumpling with thin dough filled with potato, kasha, onion, meat, and/or other ingredients
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kosher
"acceptable according to Jewish [ritual] law" (JPS); "trustworthy, reliable" (Rosten); acceptable according to dietary laws
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kugel
Baked pudding or casserole made with eggs and various ingredients, including noodles, potatoes, or spinach
The South African equivalent of a "Jewish American Princess"
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kvell
feel or express pride, "to be extraordinarily pleased" (JPS)
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maven
"An expert or connoisseur; a specialist" (JPS)
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mazel tov
congratulations [lit. "good fortune"]
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mazume
"ready money, cash" (Steinmetz)
"A group of three or more adult males who join together to recite the after-meal blessings..." (Steinmetz).
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menorah
candelabrum, especially for Chanukah
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mensch
"An upright, honorable, a decent person." (Rosten)
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meshuga
crazy
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oy
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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oy vey
exclamation of dismay, exasperation, or surprise
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pita
A round, thin bread with a pocket, eaten plain or with filling as a sandwich.
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putz
"A fool, an ass, a jerk." (Rosten) [lit. "penis"]
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Reform
a Jewish movement founded on principles of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah), which rejected the binding nature of the Law and attempted to concentrate on the prophetic message; it is now the largest movement in the United States, and has an additional 1 million adherents worldwide.
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schlimazel
Unlucky person; the constant butt of idiotic or unfortunate happenings
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schmooze
to make small talk or informally chat; to network, kiss up
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shanda
"Scandal, shame." (JPS)
Misbehavior by a particular Jew or Jewish group that leads to embarrassment among the broader Jewish community.
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shmuck
annoying, irritating person (lit. penis)
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shtetl
"A town or village with...Jewish inhabitants, commonly found in Eastern Europe before World War II." (Steinmetz)
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spiel
play, performance, speech. "A long, involved story or tale." (JPS)
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tahini
"A creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds" (JPS)
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tchotchke
trinket, knicknack
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verklempt
overly emotional, choked up; speechless; unable to express one's feelings/emotions
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yarmulke
religious skullcap
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yid
a Jewish person
A derogatory term used by non-Jews for a Jewish person (particularly so in Great Britain).
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