Glossary
- Denominations-different streams of American Judaism, namely Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox, which traditionally increase in that order in terms of levels of observance.
- Falafel-the Israeli and Near Eastern chickpea fritter.
- Hillel-an international foundation which supports and facilitates Jewish life on college campuses.
- Kosher-the set of Jewish dietary laws that prohibit, among other things, mixing milk and meat, eating shellfish or pork, and eating meat that has not been ritually slaughtered.
- Minyan-a quorum needed for some Jewish prayer, consisting of ten Jewish adults (in some denominations 10 men, in others men and women can count equally).
- Purim-a Jewish holiday usually around March commemorating the salvation of the Jews from an attempted genocide in what is now Persia. It is celebrated by having a festive party with a reading of the scroll of Esther which recounts the story, dressing in costumes, and eating special cookies.
- Semitics-the area of study on ancient Near-Eastern culture, history, and philology.
- Shabbat-the Jewish sabbath, during which Jews traditionally abstain from work and business. Shabbatons are convention-style gatherings of Jews to celebrate Shabbat together.
- Spring Fair- the largest student-run public fair in the country, run annually in April at Johns Hopkins.
- Synagogue-Jewish place of worship; also called "temple."
- Zionism-the movement and philosophy that the Jewish people should have and maintain a Jewish national state in the historic land of Israel.