General Questions on Judaism
This language, historically spoken by Jews in Central and Eastern Europe, is still used by some Ashkenazi communities in Israel and the USA today.
What is Yiddish?
Known for their Ladino language- Judaeo-Spanish- and unique customs, this Jewish group primarily hails from Spain, Portugal, and later, the Ottoman Empire.
Who are the Sephardic Jews in Israel?
The Jewish communities in the United States and Canada are comprised mostly of ________ Jews, by their regional origin.
What are Ashkenazi Jews?
This country accepted a large number of Ashkenazi immigrants during the 19th century (mostly from Russia) and is currently home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America.
What is Argentina?
This bread is part of the Shabbat ritual and is eaten every Friday night at sundown. It comes plain or with raisins, but it is always braided (unless Shabbat coincides with Rosh Hashana)
What is challah?
This Jewish group in Israel is known for its strict adherence to Jewish law and distinct clothing, often centered in one neighborhood like Mea Shearim in Jerusalem.
Who are the Haredi Jews (or the Ultra-Orthodox)?
This group primarily came in a big wave of Jewish immigration in the 1990s, with over one million Jews migrating from Europe to Israel.
Who are the Russian (or the Former Soviet Union) Jews in Israel?
This popular word, originally from Yiddish, entered American English and means a tasty food with a hole in the middle.
What is a Bagel?
This country is home to the fourth largest Asian Jewish community after Israel, Asian Russia, and Iran. These Jews fall into three different ethnic categories: the Bene Israel, the Cochinis, and the Baghdadis.
What is India?
These two fried foods are eaten during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight nights.
What are latkes and jelly-filled donuts?
This day of fasting and mourning commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, observed differently by various Jewish communities in Israel and the world.
What is Tisha B'Av?
This Jewish community, originally from North Africa, is known for its unique traditions during the Mimouna festival, which marks the end of Passover.
Who are the Moroccan Jews (part of Mizrahi Jews)?
This group of Jews arrived in New York (then called New Amsterdam) from Brazil in 1654.
What are Sephardi Jews?
Many __________ Jews from Spain and Portugal were expelled and forcibly converted to Catholicism in 1492 and 1497, respectively.
Who are the Sephardic Jews?
During Passover, Jews don’t eat anything leavened, particularly bread. Instead, we eat __________ for seven days in honor of the Israelites escaping their bondage in Egypt, with no time to wait for bread to rise.
What is matzo (Matzah)?
This genre of Jewish music, originating from the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, blends Hebrew and Yiddish lyrics with lively melodies and has influenced modern Jewish music, including in Israel.
What is Klezmer?
This group of Jews, who immigrated to Israel from a country in Asia in the early 20th century, brought with them a distinct liturgical tradition and unique customs.
Who are the Yemenite Jews in Israel?
This was the largest industry, and the largest employer of Jewish immigrants in New York in the early 20th century.
What is the Garment industry?
Jews travelled to this Caribbean island to escape the Spanish Inquisition. Here, they became gold traders, sugar and vanilla merchants, and sometimes even pirates.
What is Jamaica?
This traditional Jewish dish, often served on Shabbat and Passover, is made from ground fish and is a staple in Ashkenazi cuisine.
What is Gefilte Fish?
These patriarchs, including the one who made a covenant with God to create the Hebrew people, are considered the founding fathers of Judaism.
Who are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
This Jewish community, originally from an African country, immigrated to Israel in a few waves, and celebrates the holiday of Sigd.
Who are the Beta Israel (or Ethiopian Jews) in Israel?
This profession was held by many German Jewish immigrants, who traveled the US and often settled in the Midwest.
What is a Peddler (or Trader)?
They are roughly 3,000 practitioners of Rabbinic Judaism, and there are around twenty synagogues in this African country.
Who are the Igbo Jews (of Nigeria)?
This triangular shaped cookie is filled with jam (or chocolate) and is only eaten during Purim.
What are Hamantaschen?