Glossary

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Aebleskiver

A Danish doughnut

D

Demographics

The characteristics of a population; the information refers to factors such as income level, racial mix, education level, and cultural characteristics

E

Emigrate

To move away or depart from a place or country in order to settle in a new place or country

Ethnic

Relating to a group of people that have the same distinctive racial, religious, or cultural background

Ethnicity

A person's ethnic background or character

F

Fattigmand

(Poor Man)-A Norwegian cookie treat

Fruit Soup

Scandinavian cold soup using different kinds of fruit

H

Hanukkah

The "Festival of Lights" is a favorite of Jewish children. Gifts, candle-lighting, games, good food, and ceremony mark this special occasion.

Hanukkah celebrates the reclaiming of the Jewish temple from the Syrians who worshiped Greek gods. The Syrian king had destroyed the Temple, killed Jewish people, and sold children into slavery.

But one Jewish family, the Maccabees, cleverly defeated the Syrians. They returned and rebuilt their Temple in Jerusalem. According to legend, when they tried to relight the candle holder, called a Menorah, they found only enough oil for one day. By a miracle, the oil burned for eight days.

For this holiday, the first candle in the Menorah is lit at sundown when Hanukkah begins. Each night, another candle is lit until all are burning by the eighth night. The Menorah is placed near the window so all who pass can see it.

Children receive a gift on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. Also, they play a game with a dreidel. It is a spinning top with Hebrew words on it referring to the miracle of the burning oil during the time of the Maccabees.

Good food like latkes, potato pancakes, are eaten.

Hardanger

Norwegian lace embroidery

I

Immigrate

To come into and settle in a new country or region

Immigrant

A person who immigrates into a new country or region

K

Krumkakke

A Norwegian cookie treat that is spread thin and rolled on a special iron

L

Lefse

Scandinavian flat bread

Lutefisk

Scandinavian fish dish-usually cod-soaked in lye, cooked and served with butter or white sauce.

P

Passover

This solemn holiday reminds the Jewish people of the time their ancestors were freed from slavery. When the Jews lived in Egypt, they were slaves to Pharaoh. When he refused God's wish to free these slaves, the Pharaoh and the Egyptian people were punished. God demanded the death of the firstborn child and the calf of every Egyptian

"Pass over"

God told Moses that He would not punish Jewish families if they would slaughter a lamb and smear the blood on their doorposts. Then God would pass over their homes and not kill any Jewish children or animals. Hence, the term Passover for this holiday.

Prairie Schooners

Large wagons that carried Scandinavian provisions to their New World destinations

R

Rosh Ha-shanah

The Jewish New Year is a serious occasion. Jews believe their acts and thoughts have all been written in the Book of Life. It is read on the first day, and their fate for the year can be decided. However, during the following ten days of solemn worship, Jews can ask to be forgiven for their sins.

Traditional foods are eaten on the eve of Rosh Ha-shanah: challah, white braided loaf of bread dipped in honey , and apples dipped in honey. Honey symbolizes families' hopes for a sweet life in the new year.

Rosemaling

Norwegian painting and design that represents that restless Viking spirit

Rosettes

Norwegian cookie that are dipped and fried using a special iron

S

Sukkot

On this holiday, one gives thanks for all things that grow and remembers the difficult escape from Egypt by Jews in Biblical times. Children especially enjoy helping build a "sukkah." Built from branches and other natural materials, the sukkah is a booth or hut open at the top so that one can see the stars from inside. Children enjoy sitting inside and even having a meal there. Fruit and cake are traditional.

Y

Yom Kippur

This is the holiest day of the Jewish year. On this day, the judgment made about each person on Rosh Ha-shanah is made established for good in the Book of Life. Everyone, except the sick and children, stop eating until sunset of the following day and think about the meaning of Yom Kippur. At synagogue services, the story of Jonah, written in the Torah, is read to show that God will forgive people for their sins.