Nickidewbear's definitions

Suwałki

A former gubernia or district in the Polish and Lithuanian divisions of the Russian Empire, Suwałki was one of the main areas of the Jewish Diaspora in Eastern Europe. Today, it is divided into areas in Podlaskie Province.

Suwałki City is in Northeastern Poland. From the former Suwałki gubernia area hails Jewish Diasporan fashion designer Marcela J. "Mia" Daniłowicz.

by Nickidewbear August 25, 2011

Ax

How OJ Simpson might say "Ask". On his part, it would be a pun intended... or maybe not.

"Can I ax you a question?" (Pray that OJ Simpson never "ax"s you this.)

by Nickidewbear August 23, 2011

Tikvah

Hebrew "Hope".

The Hebrew national anthem is "Tikvateinu" ("Our Hope") or "HaTikvah" ("The Hope").

by Nickidewbear August 23, 2011

Czernikowski

An Ashkenazic Jewish and Slavic surname, "Czernikowski" (pronounced "T'sh-er-nee-kov-skee") is a name related to "Black" ("Czarny" or "Czarna") or a place name (e.g., "Czarnia" for the Czarna or Czarnia River in Northeastern Poland).

Unfortunately, a number of Holocaust victims bore the name "Czernikowski" (according to YadVashem.org). The Czernikowski family often cited by Yad Vashem seems to come from the Lodz and Kielce, Poland regions (among other places).

by Nickidewbear August 22, 2011

Lewinsky

Literally "son or descendant of Levi", thus a Levi (or Levite). The name is Ashkenazic Jewish in origin.

Surprisingly, there was a noble family in Poland named Lewinski (according to Wikipedia). Monica Lewinsky (as far as I know or care to know... well, as far as I know; though now I'm interested in looking up whether Miss Lewinsky) is not related to the Jewish nobles in Poland.

by Nickidewbear August 22, 2011

Pawlenty

The only Pro-Israel candidate (as seen at the Ames, Iowa GOP Debate) in the 2012 GOP Presidential Race, Former Governor Tim Pawlenty (originally pronounced "Pav-lent-y") (R-MN) may even be a Cohen (given that, according to Wargs.com, one of his great-grandmothers was born as Julia Koenig; and in some cases, "Koenig" may well be a variant of "Kohein"-- given that the German "Koenig" means "King" and koheinim (priests) were the head caste in Ancient Israel).

In stark constrast to the other GOP Candidates in Ames, Iowa; Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty not only mentioned Israel directly (as did Texas Representative Ron Paul), but (unlike Ron Paul) voiced support for Israel.

by Nickidewbear August 22, 2011

Koenigstein

A German and Ashkenazic Jewish variant of "Koenig" or "King"; and in some cases, "Koenig" may well be a variant of "Kohein"-- given that the German "Koenig" means "King" and koheinim (priests) were the head caste in Ancient Israel.

Woody Allen was born as a "Koenig", but not a "Koenigstein".

by Nickidewbear August 22, 2011