Synagogues

A synagogue is a Jewish house of worship and study. The word originates from the Greek synagoge, meaning assembly, and in Hebrew usage alternative terms such as bet ha-knesset (house of assembly) or bet midrash (house of study) are common. In many communities the term shul is also used, while some branches refer to their houses of worship as temples.

A synagogue serves as a place for communal prayer, Torah reading, and study. A typical service centers on the reading of the Torah and ongoing study of Jewish texts, with a minyan, a quorum of ten adult Jews, traditionally required for certain prayers in many communities. The building often contains an ark (aron kodesh) that houses the Torah scrolls and a bimah from which the readings and prayers are led. Seating and layout vary by tradition and era, with Orthodox synagogues frequently maintaining gender separation in some services and many non-Orthodox congregations adopting egalitarian arrangements.

Historically, synagogues emerged as local centers of communal life after the destruction of the Second Temple, and they developed into hubs for worship, study, and social activity across the Jewish diaspora. In modern times, they typically function as religious centers, educational venues, and community organizations, hosting lifecycle events such as weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, funerals, and social programs.

There are diverse denominations and practices within Judaism, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist communities, each shaping the liturgy, governance, and role of rabbis or other leaders in synagogue life. Despite these differences, synagogues generally aim to preserve tradition while sustaining communal belonging and learning.