Glossary Terms

Aliyah (עלייה) – ‘Ascent’ or ‘going up’ – used to describe someone who is going up to read from the Torah or moving to live in Israel.

Hostility to or prejudice against Jews as individuals or as a collective.

The special cupboard where Torah scrolls are kept, usually at the front of a synagogue. Meaning ‘Holy Ark’.

The Ten Commandments – (literally translates as the ten sayings or ten utterances)

Jewish group and culture primarily developed around Central or Eastern Europe.

Someone who does not believe in a god or supernatural power.

Son of the commandments – coming of age for boys (at age 13).

Daughter of the commandments – coming of age for girls (age 12 or 13).

The concept of not wasting resources.

The Hebrew word for a synagogue, meaning ‘House of gathering’.