Ashkenazim
Descents of Jews from Germany; but often used to refer to Diaspora Jews who are of European or Russian origin, but who are not Sephardim. Jewish customers used by Ashkenazim are "Ashkenazic." Pronounced "ahsh-KIN-ah-zimm."
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
"Son/Daughter of the Commandment." Pronounced "BARR MITZ-vah" or "BATT MITZ-vah." The plural is B'nai Mitzvah, pronounced "beh-NAY MITZ-vah."
Brit Millah
"Covenant of Circumcision" A religious celebration to welcome Jewish infant boys into the community. Pronounced "BRIT mee-LAH"
Chaver/Chaverah
"Friend," in the male form and female forms. The plural is Chaverim (men and women) or Chaverot (women only). Pronounced "CHAH-verr" or "CHAH-verr-ah." Chaverah is also used to refer to friendship groups within PTS.
Chalutzim
"Pioneers." This is name used by many Jewish youth groups; at PTS, it's our club for 7th and 8th grade students. Pronounced "cha-LOO-tzim"
Chazzan
"Cantor." Our chazzan is Cantor Barry Reich. Pronounced "CHAH-zann"
Gemilut Chasidim.
"Acts of Loving Kindness." Actions that help the less fortunate, such as giving to charity, feeding the poor, visiting the sick, or supporting social justice. Pronounced "Geh-mil-UTE cha-SIH-dimm"
Hava Nashir
“Let Us Sing." This is the name of our special musical Shabbat service, generally held on the second Friday night of each month. Pronounced "HAH-vah NAH-sheer."
Madrich
"Youth Leader." At PTS, a madrich is a teenager who helps in our religious school. Pronounced "MADD-rich." Plural is madrichim, pronounced "madd-rich-IM"
Mazal Tov
“Good Fortune," used to offer congratulations. Pronounced "MAH-zel tov"
Megillah
The Book of Esther, a scroll read at Purim. Pronounced "meh-GILL-lah"
Minyan
A gathering of ten or more adult Jews to fulfill a religious obligations, such as holding a service. Every Saturday morning, PTS has a 9:30 Early Minyan and a 10:30 Sephardic Minyan. Pronounced "MIN-yan"
Mi Sheberach
"One Who Is Blessed." A prayer for healing for one who is sick in body or spirit. A mi sheberach is also a prayer said to wish someone a long and healthy life, offered for people on special occasions, such as a birthday, wedding or B'nai Mitzvah. Pronounced "MEE sheh-BAY-rach"
Mitzvah
"Commandment," though some intrepet as "good deed." Pronounced "MITZ-vah." Plural is Mitzvot, pronounced "MITZ-vott"
Oneg Shabbat
"Joy of Sabbath." It refers to an informal gathering of congregants in the PTS Social Hall after Friday night services, with coffee, cold drinks and desserts. Pronounced "OH-neg SHAH-bat." Congregants are invited to host an Oneg Shabbat for the PTS community.
Pirke Avot
"Sayings of the Fathers" is on of the more popular books of the Talmud. Pronounced "peer-KAY a-VOTT"
Rosh Hashanah
"Head of the Year." The Jewish New Year, which falls on the first and second days of Tishrei, in the fall of each year. This is start of the High Holy Days. Pronounced "ROSH hah-SHAH-nah."
Sephardim
Descendants of Jews who left Spain or Portugal in 1492. Jewish customs used by Sephardim are "Sephardic." Pronounced "seff-FAR-dimm."
Shabbas
The Yiddish word for Sabbat, often in the Friday night greeting "Good Shabbos." Pronounced "SHAH-buss."
Shabbat Shalom
"Sabbath of Peace." A common greeting before and during the Sabbath (Friday night through Saturday afternoon). Pronounced "sha-BAAT sha-LOMM"
Shalom
"Peace" in Hebrew. Also used as a general greeting for hello and goodbye. Pronounced "sha-LOMM"
Sholom
Yiddish version of Shalom. Pronounced "SHOW-lomm"
Simcha
"Gladness." Any happy occasion, such as a birth, B'nai Mitzvah, wedding, birthday or anniversary. Pronounced "SIMM-cha"
Tallit
Prayer shawl with specially knotted fringes, worn by adults in Jewish services. Pronounced "tal-LEET." In Yiddish, called a Tallis, pronounced "TAHL-iss." The fringes are known as tzitzit, pronounced "TZIT-tzit"
Tefillah
"Prayer." Pronounced "teh-FEE-lah"
Tikkun Olam
"Repairing the World." Pronounced "tik-KUNN oh-LAMM"
Todah
"Thank You." Pronounced "TOE-dah"
Todah Rabbah
"Thank You Very Much." Pronounced "TOE-dah RAH-bah"
Torah
The text of the Five Books of Moses, which can be in a Torah scroll or in book form. Pronounced "TOE-rah"
Yahrzeit
"Time of One Year." Remembrance the anniversary of a death of a loved one, typically by a child, sibling or parents of the deceased. Pronounced "yartz-ZITE"
Yasher Koach
"May You Have Strength." Said to praise a job well done. Pronounced "YAH-sheer KOE-ach"
Yom Kippur
"Day of Atonenent." The tenth day of Tishrei is one of the High Holy Days, and is generally marked by fasting, rest and prayer. Pronounced "YOM key-POUR."
Zimriyah
"Choir." it's the name of PTS' youth chorus. Pronounced "ZIMM-ree-yah"
