HERTZBERG TUTORS ASSEMBLY IN ART OF SCHMOOZING MENSCHEN GET YIDDISH DICTIONARY.

Byline: Martin Kuz Staff Writer

The next time Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg refers to his fellow lawmakers as ``a haimish bunch,'' at least they'll know he's not insulting them.

Haimish, which translates as ``down-to-earth, unpretentious,'' is one of dozens of words and phrases included in his dictionary, ``Yiddish for Assemblymembers,'' dictionary that Hertzberg distributed to legislators Thursday.

Hertzberg, a Democrat from Van Nuys and the first Jewish Assembly speaker in 73 years, often peppers his speech with Yiddish phrases. He put the dictionary together to clear up any ``farblondjet'' - confusion - caused by his use of the dialect.

``When you say someone's a 'haimish' fellow, it has a warmth to it,'' said Hertzberg, who learned the language as a child from his family. ``It's more colorful and has a deeper meaning than saying `nice guy.'''

Hertzberg's Assembly colleagues said they appreciate the 36-page booklet, which also lists Jewish holidays and their significance.

``He's a real mensch for providing it,'' said Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, who is Jewish, using a Yiddish term that refers to an upright, decent person.

Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, who is also Jewish, had yet to receive his copy of the dictionary. ``Oy vay!'' Richman cracked, using a popular Yiddish exclamation of annoyance. ``The speaker must have forgotten me.''

Hertzberg said he used no state money - that's ``gelt'' in Yiddish - to finance the dictionary.

The speaker, who has served on the board of directors of the American Jewish Committee and the dean's council for Hebrew Union College, added that he hopes the booklet will cultivate a fondness for Yiddish among Assembly members.

And the next time Hertzberg says Californians need the energy crisis like they need a ``loch in kop'' - hole in the head - perhaps his fellow lawmakers will nod in sympathy rather than stare in farblondjet.