Yeshivish Translator

Why I built it

I am a convert to Judaism, so I did not grow up knowing all of the Hebrew, Yiddish, Aramaic, and Yeshivish terminology that can become second nature when you have been around it your whole life. I am also dyslexic, which can make unfamiliar terms and spellings especially difficult to learn and remember.

“I have no idea what that means.”

I knew I could not be the only person who occasionally had that thought while becoming more observant or spending more time in Jewish communities. When I face a challenge, I look for tools that can help. When I could not find one that met this need, I started making one.

What it does

Yeshivish Translator includes a searchable glossary and can use AI to translate Yeshivish and Jewish terminology into plain English. It can also translate English into an expressive Yeshivish style, although that direction is mostly there for fun. The goal is to make unfamiliar language more approachable while treating the people, culture, and religious life behind it with care.

How the project grew

I began by researching and cataloguing terminology for a personal tool. That work eventually became a larger public software project with a React and TypeScript frontend, a Python and Django backend, OpenAI integration, API authentication and abuse controls, automated testing, continuous integration, and the infrastructure needed to keep the application running.

Glossary methodology

The glossary is maintained as structured, version-controlled data. Entries may include alternate spellings, definitions, language origins, usage context, Hebrew lettering, and parallel examples. Alternate spellings are matched carefully so distinct terms do not become interchangeable by accident.

Translation limitations

Translations are generated automatically and can misunderstand ambiguity, specialized learning, humor, or local usage. Results are a communication aid, not a substitute for a fluent speaker, professional translator, or qualified religious authority.

Open source

The entire project is open source. Its code, glossary history, and issue tracker are available on GitHub.

Support the project

Yeshivish Translator is a free, open-source tool. If you find it useful, please consider supporting continued development on Ko-fi.