What is a synagogue?


A synagogue, or a temple, is a Jewish house of worship. It is also called a shul in Yiddish. Local synagogues and the Holy Temple in Jerusalem probably co-existed before the destruction of the Temple. Yet, since the destruction of the Holy Temple, Jews, being scattered across the globe as they are, now exclusively use local synagogues to worship and congregate instead of one centralized temple. The synagogue has an ark holding the Torah scrolls. Members of the synagogue stand when the ark is opened and the Torah scrolls are taken out. In some services (primarily Ashkenazi), the rabbi and the cantor face the congregation while standing on a Bimah, or an elevated platform reminiscent of the ancient altar. In Sephardic and Middle Eastern services, the rabbis will pray with you -- towards the ark. Jews attend synagogue for prayer service during the holidays and on Shabbat. Traditional Jews will attend synagogue three times a day. The synagogue is often a place for Jewish social gatherings, as it is the religious center of the local Jewish community. Hebrew school is typically available at synagogues, as are conversion classes.


In the Orthodox tradition, men and women are separated at worship services, because they don't want their members to be tempted by the opposite sex while praying. Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist synagogues allow family seating, where both sexes sit next to each other.