Synagogue

A Jewish communal institution for prayer, study, and gathering. Its practices and design vary across communities, and it may also be called a shul or temple.

Torah ark: A cabinet or recess in a synagogue that houses Torah scrolls. It holds the scrolls central to public Torah reading and often anchors the prayer hall.
Shabbat: The Jewish weekly day of rest, observed from Friday evening until Saturday night. Weekly services make Shabbat one of the synagogue’s most regular communal occasions.
Second Temple Judaism: The diverse forms of Jewish religious and communal life during the Second Temple period, roughly 516 BCE to 70 CE. Synagogue institutions took shape within this period, alongside worship centered on the Jerusalem Temple.
Orthodox Judaism: A movement in Judaism that regards traditional Jewish law as binding and central to religious life. Orthodox synagogues generally maintain traditional rules for worship and gender roles.
Bimah: A raised platform in a synagogue used for reading the Torah and leading parts of the service. Its placement organizes how the congregation gathers around public reading.
Bar and bat mitzvah: A Jewish coming-of-age milestone marking a young person’s religious responsibilities, often celebrated with synagogue participation. Synagogues commonly host ceremonies and Torah readings marking this milestone.
Jerusalem Temple: The central Jewish sanctuary in Jerusalem, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Temple’s sacrificial worship differed from synagogue prayer and study, though both institutions coexisted.
Reform Judaism: A modern Jewish movement that emphasizes evolving interpretation and individual autonomy in religious practice. Reform congregations often adapt liturgy and ritual differently from traditional synagogues.
Torah reading: The public chanting of passages from the Torah during Jewish prayer services. It is a central shared practice associated with the synagogue’s worship space.
Jewish adult education: Organized study of Jewish texts, history, practice, and thought by adults. Many synagogues extend their role beyond worship through classes and study groups.

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