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Synagogue Facts & Worksheets

Synagogues are places of worship for Jewish people and Samaritans. Synagogues are not just physical structures as they embody the shared spiritual journey of the Jewish people. Everyone in the Jewish community can gather in synagogues to connect with their faith and each other.

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Synagogues are places of worship for Jewish people and Samaritans. Synagogues are not just physical structures as they embody the shared spiritual journey of the Jewish people. Everyone in the Jewish community can gather in synagogues to connect with their faith and each other. They also serve as hubs for cultural life, where Jewish teachings and values are passed down to future generations.

See the fact file below for more information about Synagogues, or you can download our 23-page Synagogue worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

TERMINOLOGY

  • The Hebrew term for synagogue is beit knesset,  meaning “house of assembly.”
  • The Greek-derived word “synagogue” also means “assembly” in English.
  • Ashkenazi Jews often use the Yiddish word shul, which comes from German and originally Greek, meaning “school.”
  • Sephardi Jews usually call it kal, which comes from Hebrew.
  • Spanish and Portuguese Jews use esnoga and sinagoga, respectively.
  • Persian and some Karaite Jews use kenesa.

HISTORY

  • A reconstruction of the First Temple, the Second Temple, also called Herod’s Temple, was a significant holy place for Jewish people rebuilt from about 516 BCE to 70 CE.
  • Jews saw the Second Temple as a significant symbol of who they were and where they went to pray, offer sacrifices, and come together as a community. 
  • Many Jews traveled from far away to celebrate special ceremonies there, including Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
  • Before the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, communal worship centered around sacrificial offerings in the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Around the 5th century BCE, a group called the Great Assembly made prayers more formal.
  • Before that, everyone prayed in their own way.
  • During the Second Temple Period, a rabbi named Yohanan ben Zakkai suggested establishing houses of worship wherever Jewish people lived.
  • Evidence of purpose-built spaces for Jewish worship, like proseuches, dates back to the 3rd century BCE in Egypt.
  • Archaeologists have also found many old synagogues dating from this time in Israel and other places.
  • After the destruction of the Second Temple, people started building synagogues in lots of places, funded by leaders, rich people, or whole communities.
  • Contrary to earlier beliefs, evidence revealed synagogues existed before the First Jewish-Roman War (66–73 CE).
  • Excavations reveal that synagogues existed in places such as Gamla, Masada, Herodium, and Magdala.
    • Gamla – A synagogue near the city gate was destroyed in 67 CE by the Romans.
    • Masada – A synagogue south of the palace complex housed a collection of scrolls.
    • Herodium – A synagogue found in Herod’s palace fortress. 
    • Magdala – A synagogue on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee featured an intricately carved stone block.
    • Modi’in – The oldest synagogue within modern Israel dates back to the second century BCE.
  • When the Second Temple was destroyed, praying became more important than offering sacrifices.
  • Synagogues became the central place for Jewish worship.
  • There were different customs across different regions, as described by a rabbi named Maimonides.

ARCHITECTURE

  • Synagogues come in different designs, depending on when and where they were built.
  • Inside each synagogue, there’s a cabinet called the Torah ark,  the “holy ark”  (aron qodesh), where they keep the Torah scrolls.
  • The Torah ark is typically positioned at one end, opposite the main entrance, with a raised platform called a bimah for reading the Torah.
  • A large central space is essential for congregational worship.
  • Synagogues often borrow styles from the buildings around them. 
  • For example, the synagogue in Kaifeng, China, resembles local temples.
  • Some synagogues are plain, while others are full of art and decorations.
  • When you’re inside, everyone faces toward Jerusalem, no matter where the synagogue is. It’s a way of showing respect and connection.
  • In the Western world, congregations face east; those east of Israel face west, while those in Israel face Jerusalem directly. 
  • Occasionally, synagogues face other directions for structural reasons, but the congregation still faces Jerusalem during prayers.

INTERIOR

  • The Torah ark can be fancy or simple and sometimes even moveable.
  • The raised platform, where they read the Torah and lead prayers, is known as bimah, almemar, or tebah.
  • There’s always a lamp that stays lit all the time, called ner tamid, which symbolizes the Temple menorah.
  • Some synagogues have a pulpit for addressing the congregation.
  • There’s always a desk called the amud where the prayer leader stands.
  • Sometimes, separate sections are reserved for boys and girls or men and women to sit during services.
  • Some synagogues have a wall with names of people who have passed away or significant sayings from Jewish books.
  • Synagogues may have facilities for ritual washing (such as a mikveh) of the hands before prayer, particularly in Orthodox Jewish communities.

RITUALS AND PRACTICES

  • Synagogues are where Jewish people assemble to pray, express thanks, and ask for guidance from God.
  • During services, they follow set prayers like the Shema and Amidah.
  • They read sections aloud from the Torah, a special scroll with the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, during services to understand and appreciate Jewish teachings.
  • Synagogues are also where Jewish holidays like Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Hanukkah are celebrated.
  • A minyan is a quorum of ten Jewish adults coming together for particular prayers or rituals.

ROLE IN JEWISH LIFE AND COMMUNITIES

  • Synagogues are places where people of all ages can hold classes and learn about Jewish history and traditions. There are classes or groups to join. 
  • From baby namings to funerals, synagogues are also where significant life events happen for Jewish people.
  • Ceremonies like bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings are also held in synagogues.
  • Synagogues also serve as centers for community outreach for counseling and food drives.
  • These events demonstrate a commitment to the Hebrew value of “tikkun olam,” meaning “repairing the world.”
  • Fun events like concerts, art shows, and movie nights celebrating Jewish culture and creativity are also staged in synagogues.

FAMOUS SYNAGOGUES AROUND THE WORLD

  • The Western Wall in Jerusalem is the last piece left of the Second Temple and is a place where Jews from everywhere come to pray and feel connected to their past.
  • Another famous synagogue in Jerusalem is the Hurva Synagogue, which has been rebuilt a few times over the years but still stands as a reminder of the Jewish people’s faith and courage.
  • In Budapest, Hungary, the great Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest in Europe.
  • Built in 1763, the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is the oldest surviving synagogue in North America.
  • The Neve Shalom Synagogue is the biggest synagogue in Istanbul and serves as a center of Jewish life in Turkey.
  • The La Ghriba Synagogue in Tunisia is one of the oldest ever built, going back over 2,000 years.
  • The Sofia Synagogue in Bulgaria is the biggest one in Southeastern Europe.
  • The Bevis Marks Synagogue, built in 1701 with its gorgeous Baroque architecture, is the oldest in the United Kingdom.

Synagogue Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Synagogues across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Synagogue. Everyone in the Jewish community can gather in synagogues to connect with their faith and each other. They also serve as hubs for cultural life, where Jewish teachings and values are passed down to future generations.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Synagogue Facts
  2. Name Search
  3. Define the Words
  4. Synagogue Sketch
  5. Virtual Learning
  6. Ancient Synagogues
  7. History Time
  8. Ritual Roundup
  9. Circle Chats
  10. Synagogue Catalogue
  11. Positive Presentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a synagogue?

A synagogue is a place of worship and community gathering for Jews. It serves as a center for prayer, study, and social activities within the Jewish community.

What are the main features of a synagogue?

Synagogues typically contain a sanctuary or prayer hall, where congregants gather for services, as well as areas for Torah study, religious education, and social events. Many synagogues also have a bimah (raised platform) from which the Torah is read, and an ark (a cabinet) where Torah scrolls are stored.

How are synagogues organized?

Synagogues are often led by a rabbi, who serves as the spiritual leader and teacher. They may also have a board of directors or a synagogue council responsible for administrative and financial matters. Congregants may be involved in various committees or groups focused on religious, social, or charitable activities.

What role do synagogues play in Jewish life?

Synagogues serve as vital hubs for Jewish communal life, providing a space for prayer, religious instruction, and cultural events. They play a central role in celebrating Jewish holidays, life cycle events such as weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs, and mourning rituals. Synagogues also often engage in charitable work and outreach to support both the Jewish community and broader society.

How do synagogues vary across different Jewish denominations?

Synagogues can vary widely in their customs, rituals, and religious practices depending on the denomination to which they belong. Orthodox synagogues typically adhere to traditional Jewish law and customs, while Reform and Conservative synagogues may incorporate more modern interpretations and practices. Additionally, there are other denominations and movements within Judaism, each with its own distinct approaches to synagogue life and worship.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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