A
A’makom Yenachem – Hebrew for “May God comfort you,” traditionally said to mourners.
Alter Kocker – Yiddish for “old fart,” a humorous or irreverent term for an elderly person, often implying crankiness.
Ashkenazi – Jews of Central and Eastern European descent, distinguished by unique cultural practices, Yiddish language, and traditions like gefilte fish, cholent, and klezmer music. Contrasted with Sephardic Jews (from Spain/North Africa).
B
Babka – A sweet, braided bread or cake, often filled with chocolate or cinnamon. A staple of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine.
Balabusta – Yiddish for a skilled homemaker, especially one renowned for cooking, baking, and managing a bustling household.
Bashert – Yiddish for “destined” or “meant to be.” Often used to describe a soulmate or a fateful event (e.g., “Meeting you was bashert!”).
Bar Mitzvah – A Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for boys at 13, marking their responsibility to observe Jewish law.
Bissel – Yiddish for “a little bit” (e.g., “Just a bissel more kugel!”).
Bris – A Jewish religious male circumcision ceremony performed on the eighth day after birth, signifying the covenant between God and Abraham.
Brisket – A cut of meat from the lower chest of beef, slow-cooked to tender perfection. A staple of Jewish holiday meals, often served with a side of family drama.
Broigus – Yiddish for a bitter feud or family quarrel, often long-standing and fueled by grudges (e.g., “The broigus over the inheritance lasted years!”).
Bubbe – Yiddish for “grandmother.” A term of endearment for a Jewish grandma, often associated with warmth, cooking, and wisdom.
Bubbe-Meise – Yiddish for an old wives’ tale or superstitious story, literally “grandmother’s tale.”
C
Challah Braid – A traditional Jewish bread, often eaten on Shabbat and holidays, featuring a beautifully braided shape.
Chametz – Leavened foods forbidden during Passover. Basically, anything that makes bread fluffy is off-limits, which is why matzah exists (and why we all crave bagels by day three).
Cheder – Traditional Jewish elementary school where children learned Hebrew, prayers, and Torah. A cornerstone of Ashkenazi education, often held in synagogues or private homes.
Chicken Soup – A comforting soup, often referred to as “Jewish penicillin,” typically made with chicken, vegetables, and sometimes matzo balls or noodles.
Chopped Liver – A traditional Ashkenazi dish made from liver (often chicken or beef), seasoned with onions, hard-boiled eggs, and schmaltz. Served as a spread, humorously referenced as a metaphor for being overlooked.
Cholent – A slow-cooked stew of meat, potatoes, beans, and barley traditionally eaten on Shabbat. It simmers overnight, making it perfect for the day of rest.
Chuppah – A canopy under which Jewish couples stand during their wedding ceremony, symbolizing the home they will build together.
Chutzpah – Yiddish for audacity or boldness—often used to describe nerve, whether admirable or outrageous, depending on the context.
D
Dreidel – A four-sided spinning top used in a children’s game during Hanukkah. Each side bears a Hebrew letter: נ (Nun), ג (Gimmel), ה (Hay), and ש (Shin), standing for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (A great miracle happened there).
Dybbuk – In Jewish folklore, a malicious wandering spirit that possesses the living. The ultimate Jewish ghost story.
F
Fakakte – Yiddish slang for “messed up” or “disastrous.” Used to describe chaotic situations or poorly executed plans (e.g., “The wedding was a fakakte mess!”).
Fancy-Shmancy – Yinglish phrase mocking pretentiousness (e.g., “Fancy-shmancy restaurant with tiny portions!”).
Farshtunken – Yiddish for “stinky” or “smelly,” but often used humorously or affectionately (e.g., “This cheese is farshtunken, but delicious!”).
G
Gefilte Fish – A traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish of ground fish (usually carp, pike, or whitefish) formed into patties or balls, poached, and served cold, often with a dollop of horseradish.
Gonif – Yiddish for “thief” or “rascal,” used to describe someone who sneaks or tricks their way into something, often in a playful or teasing manner.
H
Hametz – Leavened foods forbidden during Passover, symbolizing the haste of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt.
Hanukkah – Also spelled Chanukah, this Jewish festival lasts for eight days and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated with lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating fried foods like latkes.
Hava Nagila – A traditional Jewish folk song often played at celebrations. It’s the ultimate “get everyone on the dance floor” tune, even if your dancing resembles a startled chicken.
K
Kaput – Yiddish/German for broken, ruined, or nonfunctional (e.g., “The car’s kaput—time to call the mechanic!”).
Ketubah – A Jewish marriage contract outlining marital responsibilities, traditionally signed before the wedding.
Kibbitz – To offer unsolicited advice, chat casually, or joke around, especially while others are working or playing games.
Kishka – Yiddish for “intestines,” but also refers to a traditional Jewish sausage made from stuffed intestines or, more commonly today, a vegetarian version made with flour and spices.
Kishkes – Yiddish for “guts” or “insides,” often used metaphorically to describe deep feelings (e.g., “I felt it in my kishkes!”).
Knish – A savory pastry filled with potatoes, meat, or other fillings, wrapped in dough and baked or fried. The perfect Jewish comfort food.
Kreplach – Small dumplings filled with meat or potatoes, often served in soup or fried. The Jewish answer to wontons.
Kugel – A traditional Jewish dish, typically a baked pudding or casserole made with noodles or potatoes, often served as a side dish on Shabbat or holidays.
Kvelling – Yiddish for bursting with pride or joy, usually over someone else’s accomplishments (e.g., “I’m kvelling over your new job!”).
Kvetching – Yiddish for complaining or whining, often in an endearing or lighthearted way. For example, “Stop kvetching and finish your soup!”
L
Latke – A crispy potato pancake, traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. Often served with applesauce or sour cream.
L’chaim – Hebrew for “to life!” A traditional toast used to celebrate joyous occasions while raising a glass.
M
Machers – Yiddish for “big shots” or influential people (e.g., “The machers at the synagogue organized the fundraiser”).
Maimonides – Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (1138–1204), a medieval Jewish philosopher, physician, and Torah scholar. Also known as Rambam. His works, like Guide for the Perplexed, are foundational in Jewish thought.
Mandelbrot – A Jewish cookie similar to Italian biscotti. These twice-baked treats are sweet, crunchy, and perfect for dipping in tea or coffee.
Manischewitz – A brand of kosher wine, often associated with Jewish holidays. It’s sweet, it’s sticky, and it’s the reason your bubbe thinks you’re tipsy after one sip.
Matzo Ball – A dumpling made from matzo meal, often the star of matzo ball soup. Its texture ranges from light and fluffy to dense, depending on preference.
Matzo Ball Soup – A beloved Jewish soup featuring fluffy dumplings (matzo balls) made from matzo meal, served in chicken broth. Often called “Jewish penicillin.”
Matzo Crumbs – Crushed pieces of matzo, often used in recipes during Passover as a substitute for flour or breadcrumbs.
Mazel Tov – Hebrew/Yiddish for “good luck” or “congratulations!” Used to celebrate joyous occasions like weddings, births, or achievements.
Megillah – A scroll containing a biblical story, often referring specifically to the Book of Esther read during Purim. Informally, “the whole megillah” describes a long, complicated process.
Meshuggeneh – Yiddish for “crazy person” (e.g., “That meshuggeneh ate all the rugelach!”).
Mishegas – Yiddish for “craziness” or “nonsense” (e.g., “The family reunion was pure mishegas!”).
Mishpacha – Hebrew/Yiddish for “family.” Refers to both immediate and extended family, emphasizing the close-knit bonds of Jewish kinship.
Mohel – A trained Jewish ritual circumciser who performs the bris (circumcision ceremony) on male infants on their eighth day of life, in accordance with Jewish law. Requires expertise in both religious tradition and surgical skill; often a rabbi or medically certified practitioner.
O
Oy Vey – Yiddish exclamation meaning “Oh woe!” Used to express dismay, exasperation, or mild despair.
P
Passover – Also known as Pesach, an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Observed with a ceremonial meal (Seder) and the avoidance of leavened foods.
Pickles – A Jewish deli staple, often fermented in brine. The crunchier, the better.
Pogroms – Violent riots or massacres targeting Jewish communities, particularly in Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Q
Quieter lately than a shul during Shabbat nap time – A humorous phrase comparing silence to the calm atmosphere of a synagogue when everyone has dozed off after a heavy Shabbat meal.
R
Rugelach – Crescent-shaped pastries filled with jam, chocolate, or nuts. The ultimate Jewish cookie platter star.
S
Schemer – Though an English term, often used in Jewish contexts to describe a crafty or cunning person (e.g., “That gonif is a real schemer!”).
Schmaltz – Rendered chicken or goose fat, used in Ashkenazi cooking for flavoring dishes like chopped liver or fried potatoes. Colloquially refers to something overly sentimental or cheesy.
Schmendrick – Yiddish for a foolish or inept person, a bumbling character (e.g., “That schmendrick forgot the keys again!”).
Schmuel – Yiddish form of the name Samuel. Often used affectionately (e.g., “Schmuel, come eat!”).
Schnozzle – Slang for a large or prominent nose, often used affectionately or humorously.
Seder – The ritual meal held on the first two nights of Passover, featuring storytelling, symbolic foods, and the Haggadah.
Shabbat – The Jewish Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday night as a day of rest and spiritual reflection.
Shalom – A Hebrew word meaning “peace,” used as a greeting or farewell. It’s like “hello,” “goodbye,” and “let’s not argue over who gets the last latke” all in one.
Shammes – The sexton in a synagogue or the helper candle used to light the Hanukkah menorah.
Shanda – Yiddish for a scandal or disgrace (e.g., “It’s a shanda you didn’t call your bubbe!”).
Shlep – Yiddish for dragging or carrying something (or someone) with effort (e.g., “I had to shlep these groceries across town!”).
Shmattes – Yiddish for rags or old clothes, often used humorously to describe someone’s outfit (e.g., “You’re wearing those shmattes to the party?”).
Shmooze – Yiddish for casual, friendly conversation, often involving gossip or networking (e.g., “Let’s shmooze over coffee!”).
Shochet – A trained and certified individual who performs kosher animal slaughter (shechita) in accordance with Jewish law.
Shofar – A ram’s horn blown during Jewish High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) as a call to repentance and reflection.
Sholem Aleichem – Pen name of Solomon Naumovich Rabinovich (1859–1916), a celebrated Yiddish author and playwright best known for Fiddler on the Roof’s source material.
Shtetl – A small Jewish town or village in Eastern Europe, typically with a close-knit and primarily Yiddish-speaking community.
Shtick – Yiddish for a comedic routine or gimmick; a person’s particular talent or shtick.
Shtup – Yiddish slang for “push” or “stuff,” but colloquially used to mean… ahem… romantic activities.
Shvitz – Yiddish for “sweat,” but often refers to a steam bath or sauna, a staple of Jewish wellness culture.
Smoked Salmon – A staple in Jewish cuisine, especially in Ashkenazi traditions. Often served on bagels with cream cheese, capers, and onions.
T
Talmudic – Relating to the Talmud, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism, comprising discussions and interpretations of Jewish law, ethics, and traditions. Talmudic study is a core element of yeshiva education.
Tchotchke – Yiddish for a small decorative trinket, knickknack, or souvenir. Often piled high on Jewish grandmothers’ shelves.
Tefillin – Small black leather boxes containing Torah verses, worn by observant Jewish men during weekday morning prayers.
Tisch – Yiddish for “table,” often referring to a festive gathering where a rabbi or leader shares teachings, stories, and songs over food.
Torah Portion – A weekly section of the Torah read in synagogue. It’s like a divine soap opera, complete with drama, life lessons, and the occasional plague.
Treyf – Yiddish for non-kosher food or anything ritually impure.
Tsuris – Yiddish for “trouble” or “woes” (e.g., “Between the kids and the in-laws, I’ve got enough tsuris to last a lifetime!”).
Tzedakah – Hebrew word for “charity” or “justice,” referring to the Jewish tradition of giving to those in need as an ethical obligation.
V
Ver Iz Dos – Yiddish for “Who is this?” Often asked with suspicion at family gatherings.
W
Wunderkind – Yiddish/German for a prodigy or “wonder child” (e.g., “My nephew is a piano wunderkind!”).
Y
Yiddishe Mama – A stereotype (and often reality) of the quintessential Jewish mother: overfeeding, overprotective, and overflowing with love.
Yiddish – A historical language blending Hebrew, German, and Slavic elements, spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.
Yiddishkeit – The essence of Jewish culture, traditions, and way of life. Think of it as the soul of Jewishness, often expressed through food, humour, and family.
Yeshiva – A Jewish educational institution focused on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah.
Yom Kippur – The Jewish Day of Atonement, marked by fasting, prayer, and reflection.
Z
Zayde – Yiddish for “grandfather.” The male counterpart to bubbe, often depicted as a storyteller or chocolate giver.
Zetz – Yiddish for a punch or strong hit, but also used metaphorically (e.g., “That joke gave me a zetz of laughter!”).
This glossary approved by the Association of Overly Invested Jewish Grandchildren (A.O.I.J.G.). Meetings held monthly at your local deli. Pickles provided.