Cheder

/ˈtʃɛdər/ noun

Definition

A school or classroom in Jewish communities, especially one dedicated to teaching children religious texts, the Hebrew language, and Jewish traditions.

Etymology

From Hebrew 'cheder' meaning 'room' or 'chamber.' Adopted into Yiddish and English, representing the traditional Jewish elementary education system.

Kelly Says

Every cheder was essentially a one-room schoolhouse run by a melamed (teacher) who taught 10-30 children of all ages—yet this simple system produced generations of literate, multilingual students in Hebrew, Yiddish, and local languages.

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