Burbank Temple Emanu El - A Conservative Synagogue and Pre-School

Beit K'nesset

H -- House of gathering; synagogue.

Beit Midrash

H -- House of study; synagogue.

Beit Tefilah

H -- House of prayer; synagogue.

Chanukah / Hanukah

H -- Literally “dedication.” Eight day holiday to celebrate the Maccabees revolt against all odds against the Syrian-Greeks, to keep Judaism alive in 168 B.C.E. According to the Talmud, this miracle was signified when a small vial of oil lasted eight days instead of only one.

Chanukiah / Hanukiah

H -- The candelabra or menorah used during Chanukah.

Chavurah / Havurah

H -- Group of friends organized in some way.

Chavurot

H -- Plural of Chavurah.

Chol Hamoed / Hol Hamoed

H -- Intermediate days of a festival such as Succot or Pesah.

Erev

H -- Evening.

Gut Shabbos

Y/H.-- Gut is Yiddish and Shabbos is Ashkenazi Hebrew. Means good Shabbat.

Havdalah

H -- The ceremony marking the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the week.

Heimish / Hamish / Heimische

Y-- Warm, friendly.

Kaddish

H/Y -- A prayer said to magnify and sanctify God's name.

Kashrut

H -- Jewish dietary laws. A brochure is in the office.

Kiddush

H/Y -- Ceremony sanctifying a holiday or Shabbat.

Mazal tov

H – Mazeltov / Y-- Literally “good luck,” but commonly used as congratulations.

Megillah

H -- A scroll. Example scroll of Queen Esther story read at Purim. "Gantze Megillah" is Yiddish for a big deal, a big production.

Mezuzah

H -- Literally "door post." Refers to the scroll which is encased and mounted on the door post.

Mi Sh’berakh

H -- Literally, "who gives blessing." A variety of prayers said to bless people who are sick, have been called to the Torah, have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, etc.

Mishpocha

Y-- Mishpachah / H -- Family.

Mitzvah

H -- Good deed.

Motzi

H -- The blessing said before eating bread.

Oneg

H-- Literally "joy," but refers to the refreshments on Friday after services.

Pesach / Pesah / Pessah

H -- Passover.

Purim

Holiday of great joy and victory to celebrate the story of Queen Esther, who stood up to her husband, the King of Ahasuerus, who was going to persecute all the Jews in Persia on the 13th of Adar. She disclosed that she was Jewish at great danger to herself and spoke out on behalf of all Jews and saved her people.

Rosh Chodesh

H -- Holiday at the beginning of each Hebrew month.

Shabbat

H -- The Sabbath; Saturday.

Shaddai

H -- A name of G-d referring to power.

Shalom

H -- LIterally "peace." Use as a greeting or farewell.

Shira

H -- Singing.

Shiva

Y -- Shiv’ah / H -- The seven days of mourning following a funeral.

Shivah Minyan

Y/H -- A prayer service in a house of mourning during the first seven days after burial.

Shlach Manot / Shelah Manot

H -- Shlach Manos / Y-- Literally "Giving of gifts." Refers to gifts given at Purim.

Shul

Y-- Literally "school;” used generically, “a synagogue.”

Simcha

Y – Smachot / H -- Happy occasions.

Sukkah

H -- Literally "hut." We build them and dwell in them on Sukkot.

Tu B'Shvat

H -- 15th of the month of Sh'vat. New Year for Trees.

Tzedakah

H -- Literally "Justice." Refers to the giving of money or effort to help the less fortunate or institutions.

Yahrzeit

Y -- Anniversary on the Hebrew calendar of a person's death.

Yom Ha’atzma’ut

H -- Israel Independence Day.

Yom Hashoah

H -- Holocaust Remembrance Day.