Bagels

Bagel: A doughnut-shaped hard roll, whose dough is first boiled, then baked.

Borscht: A soup made of beets or cabbage, of Russian origin.

Hanuka (lit. “dedication”): the Festival of Lights celebrated for eight days, starting the twenty-fifth of Kislev (November-December). Hanuka marks the struggle for religious freedom and the successful revolt of poorly armed Jews against the forces of Antiochus Epiphanes, who proscribed the practice of Judaism. In 165 B.C.E., the Jewish fighters, led by Judah Maccabeus, routed the Hellenistic Syrians and re-dedicated the Temple. Hanuka is a time when card games, usually forbidden, are permitted.

Kiddush (lit. “sanctification”): A blessing recited over wine at the beginning of the Sabbath or holiday evening meal.

Passover: The eight-day festival starting on the fifteenth of Nissan (March-April) and commemorating the Jews’ freedom from Egyptian bondage. It was also an agricultural feast during which the Israelites offered up the first fruits of the winter barley.

Tsimess: vegetables simmered in honey or sugar; usually with carrots, or potatoes and prunes.