Jewish English Lexicon

a long life

Used to greet a mourner after someone has died.

almemar

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

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.

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).

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.

chumradik

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

faribel

grievance

to have a grievance, to be aggrieved

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.

gefrunzled

slighted, insulted, feeling unappreciated

gesheft

business

get

a writ or deed of divorce

gezinta

a big healthy girl (or the adjective denoting such)

a sexy lady

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.

ken

Yes

kimat

"almost or nearly" (Weiser)

kishkas

Intestines, gut

Knesset

Israel's parliament

koppel

skullcap, kippah, yarmulke

kosher

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

leibedik

lively, enthusiastic; warm, heartfelt

limudei kodesh

"holy studies"; Jewish religious studies

lobbus

a young mischievous person with a lot of chutzpah

a rascal, mischievous or cheeky child (usually a boy)

maccabiah

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

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

madrich

youth counselor or supervisor

mechaye

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

mechula

broke, bust, bankrupt, spoiled

Mishneh Torah

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

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.