Words to Know

Jewish communities with roots in Central and Eastern Europe — places like Germany, Poland, and Russia. The Yiddish language and foods like challah and latkes come from here.

Jewish communities with roots in Spain and Portugal. After leaving Spain in 1492, many settled around the Mediterranean and kept a language called Ladino.

Jewish communities with roots in the Middle East and North Africa — places like Iraq, Yemen, Iran, and Morocco. The word means "Eastern."

A word for a people living spread out across many countries, away from one original homeland. The Jewish diaspora reaches almost everywhere in the world.

A group of people who share something and live or gather together. Each Jewish community kept its own foods, music, and ways while sharing one history.

Something a family or community does the same way, passed down from parents to children over many years — a recipe, a song, a holiday, a way of dressing.