In Jewish life today, services typically take place in a synagogue, a place designated for prayer.

The word “synagogue” is Greek. Among Jews, the house of prayer is commonly known by its Yiddish name shul (related to the English word “school”) or by its Hebrew name beit knesset (“house of gathering”).

Synagogue vs. Temple

There are thousands of synagogues all over the world, some serving an entire city or neighborhood, while others are homey affairs, catering to a tight-knit community of regulars.

Until around 2,000 years ago, the synagogues were second to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish prayer and the focal point of Jewish religious and social life. The most sacred place in the entire Holy Temple complex was the Holy of Holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant, in which the Two Tablets were stored.

The Holy Temple went through several iterations:

  • The Tabernacle (Mishkan) was a portable temple, built in the Sinai Desert by Moses, and then used for hundreds of years in several places in the Holy Land.

  • Solomon’s Temple was the first permanent temple, built on the Temple Mount, adjacent to the city of Jerusalem.

  • The Second Temple was a more modest affair, built on the same spot by returnees from the Babylonian exile, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemia. Herod’s Temple was the name given to the renovated and greatly expanded Second Temple sponsored by King Herod, a wicked and cruel man, who wished to salvage his place in Judaism. This temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

  • The Third Temple will be built in the future, by Moshiach, the messiah.

After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Divine presence manifested itself in synagogues and houses of study.

Where Do Jews Worship?

Jews typically gather for prayer in synagogues, and prayers said as part of a congregation are more readily heard On High. Yet it is important to note that prayer can happen virtually anywhere in the world. G‑d is everywhere, and He can hear us from every place and in every situation.

Since Biblical times, Jewish people have also prayed at the resting places of righteous men and women. Many of these places are scattered throughout Europe, North Africa, Arabia and everywhere else Jews have lived. Here are some of the most prominent:

Cave of the Patriarchs (Me’arat Hamachpelah): Located in Hebron, this complex was built above the cave where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebeccah, and Jacob and Leah are all buried. According to tradition, Caleb prayed there when Moses sent him to reconnoiter the Holy Land.

Kever Rachel: Buried on the road leading to Bethlehem, Rachel is described as “weeping for her children,” praying for our return to our ancestral homeland. Today, this site is heavily guarded and fortified to guarantee the safety of Jewish visitors.

The Ohel: The resting place of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—is in Queens, N.Y. A caring leader to all during his lifetime, he continues to attract a steady stream of visitors.

The Western Wall: Kotel

The western portion of the remaining supporting wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a special place for Jews, known as the Kotel. On any given day, thousands of Jews and non-Jews stream to the site to pray, reflect, and connect. Since the site reverted to Jewish control in 1967, it has been staffed by a Chabad-run tefillin stand, which also serves as a visitors’ center.

Features of a Synagogue

  • Synagogues are typically built so that the front of the sanctuary faces toward Jerusalem, the site of the Holy Temple.

  • The front wall has a cabinet, known as the Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark), which contains Torah scrolls, the most sacred items in Jewish tradition.

  • Toward the center, one finds the bimah, a table on which the Torah is unrolled and read. It is often placed on a platform, known as an almemor.

  • Since men and women sit separately in Jewish tradition, synagogue architecture often includes a mechitza, a partition.

What Happens in a Synagogue?

The primary activity in the synagogue is prayer. However, many synagogues also host celebratory meals (commonly known as kiddush), Torah classes, and communal events.

Read: 15 Synagogue Facts Every Jew Should Know

Is There a Synagogue Near Me?

The vast majority of countries in the world, as well as most major Western cities, have synagogues that serve local Jews as well as visitors. If you are looking for a synagogue in your area, a great place to start is our comprehensive Chabad synagogue directory.

Find a Synagogue Near Me