Mr. Monday and other tales of Jewish Amsterdam

184 GLOSSARY

Chanukah The Feast of Light commemorating the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over Syrian despots in 167 B.C. .

Chevrabook Community book.

Girdle Clasp to hold the rough diamond.

Golem Robot. According to Jewish legend the Golem was an artificial human being made of clay and mud.

Gonifed Stolen. From the Hebrew term "gonif" (thief).

Kaddish Prayer at the grave by the children of the deceased.

Kol Voice.

Kol Nidre The plaintive prayer that ushers inYom Kippur, the Day of Attonement.

Matzoth Plural ofmatzoh". Unleavened bread.

Mazel Luck.

Mazel tov Congratulations. Mazuma Money. Meiwe Expert.

Meshugge Crazy. A crazy man is a meshuggener, a crazy woman is a meshuggeneh.

Mishpocheh Family.

Narrish Crazy. Idiot.