gallin Remembrance of Synagogues Past - The Lost Civilization of the Jewish South Bronx

GLOSSARY

English translation of selected Hebrew words used in synagogue titles.

Achim
brother
Adath
assembly
Agudath
society, association
Ahavas or ohavis
love of
Aitz Chaim
tree of life
Akavath
footprint
Anshei
people of
Ateres
to pray
Bachurim
young men
Beth Haknesseth
house of prayer
Beth Hamedrash
house of learning
Beth Midrash
house of learning
Bikur
visiting, benefit
B'nai
brothers of
Chasidim
righteous people
Chevra
group, association
Chibas
love of
Cholim
sick
Divry
young men of
Elohim
Lord
Emeth
truth
Emunim
belief
Gan Eden
heaven
Hagodal
big
Habonim
builders
Hazedek
the sick
Hoari
the light
Jehuda
tribe of Judah
Judah Halevy
name of a famous Spanish rabbi
K'hal
congregation
Kehilath
congregation
Keren Israel
horn of Israel
Linas
visiting
Machzikei
holders of
Mesilath
the road, the way
Mishnayoth
study of traditional law
Netsach
strength, glory
Nusach
a way of interpreting prayer
Ohave
love
Ohel
tent
Sfard
Sephardic
Shaarei
gates of
Shearith, Sharitt
remnant of (eg. Remnant of Israel)
Sholom
peace
Shomrey
guardian of
Tahilim
Book of Psalms
Talmud Torah
literally, study of law; generally, parochial school
Tefilla
prayer
Torah
The Written Law, the Pentateuch
Torath
bible of
V'tomchai
charity, supporters
Yeshiva
parochial school
Yeshurun
Israel
Yismach
will be happy
Zedek
righteousness
Zeirei
my future generations
Zera Jacob
offspring of Jacob
Zichron
remembrance of
Zohov
golden

Names of specific geographic places are often included in synagogue titles. For example, Hungary, Polish, Bronx are included. In some instances, European transliterations of names are included - Minsker (from the city of Minsk), Oestreicher (Austria) and Barabie (Bessarabia).

In addition, names of founders of synagogues are used. Rabbi Salanter, Rabbi Isak Leifer and Rabbi Borishansky are just a few of the names to be found.

The following are several representative Hebrew synagogue names with their literal English translations:

Anshei Oestreicher-Poilen
Men of Austria-Poland
Chevra Shomrei Shabath B'nai Israel
Society of Sabbath Observers, Sons of Israel
Beth Joseph Nusach Sfard
House of Joseph, Sephardic Ritual
K'hal Adath Yeshurun D'Bronx
Congregation of Israel of the Bronx
Chevra Mishnayoth
Society of Biblical Commentaries
Ahavath Achim
Brotherly Love
Temple Beth Elohim
Temple House of God
Chevra Bikur Cholim
Sick Benefit Society
Beth Hamidrash Hagadol V'tomchei Torah
Great House of Learning and Supporters of the Written Law
Linath Hatzedek Anshei Sfard
Visiting the Sick, People of the Sephardic Ritual
Agudath Achim D'Bronx
Fraternal Association of the Bronx
Talmud Torah Tifereth Israel
Parochial School Glory of Israel
Mesilath Yeshurun and Talmud Torah
Path of Israel and Parochial School
Adath Yeshurun
Congregation of Israel