Jewish slang word

Doesn't keep Kosher

There's a slightly derogatory phrase "high holy days Jew," or "Sabbath Jew."

Some describe themselves as culturally Jewish, but not religious.

Not frum.

What's keeping kosher for one Jew is not kosher enough for another.

not an expert...

Frum generally means pious, tries to keep to the laws, though what's 'good enough' for one may not be enough for another.
Frei is the 'opposite' - freely disregards some portion of the laws.

euclid said:

Thanks for that, Lisa, but

a) those are not slangy enough for my purposes, and
b) the whole point of the story is that this character does keep kosher?

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Do you want slang, or Yiddish? Or Ladino?

euclid said:

What's the name of that small cap that Jews wear?

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Kippah or yarmulka.

Can't answer the other question, sorry, though I'm interested to hear the replies

Frum.

Who's the narrator? "A not-Orthodox Jew" would be described differently by an Orthodox Jew, a non-Orthodox Jew, a non-practicing Jew, or a non-Jew. There are all sorts of layers of value judgement that may or may not be present.

I've also never heard a Jew call them "ringlets" before. "Payos" (or various other spellings thereof) would be the plural term of choice IMO. Plus plenty of Orthodox Jews don't have Payos. There's more than one category of Orthodox

Cool. I would think he wouldn't have a good Yiddish slang word to use in that case Maybe something like "the whole shebang" or "he doesn't go the whole nine yards" or "he doesn't go whole hog" (LOL!).

euclid said:

Thanks everyone.

In the absence of the ideal word, my text now reads as follows:


He might not have been the full schemozzle, he may not have worn ringlets and a yarmulke, but he’d never have ordered pizza with ham.

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A schemozzle is a noisy dispute or an uproar. If he does keep kosher he would not order a pizza unless it is in a kosher eating place. And he woudl probably have worn a yarmulke. That is one approved by the Rabbinic Court in the area. Possibly the word 'mentsh' - which means a very respected man who is totally trustworthy and worthy to be emulated.

~Shakesbear who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home. Though later Liberal... but that is in the UK where it is very different from the US. Sigh ... now I want some lutkas!

Jews, or the ones I've met in Doncaster tend to be reserved, shy, and timid souls.

euclid said:

You should get out more, oy vay!

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If I were to venture outside the city and canal of Doncaster to view what the Jews do, what would I see?

Carterpot said:

If I were to venture outside the city and canal of Doncaster to view what the Jews do, what would I see?

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Is this a sincere question, or are you screwing around? I assure you that I am being 100% sincere when I say that I honestly can't tell.