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Ella stood next to the Ner Tamid.
Image caption,
Ella is stood next to the Ner Tamid.

A synagogue is a place where Jewish people go to worship.

A Jewish person is someone who follows the religion of Judaism.

Although the synagogue is a place for worship, many are also used as a place to study or as a community centre.

In some places a synagogue is known as a temple.

Ella stood next to the Ner Tamid.
Image caption,
Ella is stood next to the Ner Tamid.

Watch: Meet Ella as she takes you on a tour around her local synagogue.

Watch the video to learn more about the features of a synagogue.

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A synagogue service.
Image caption,
A synagogue service.

What is in a synagogue?

  • The word synagogue means ‘bringing together’. It is a place where people come to pray, study the , and come together for events.

  • Most synagogues have many rooms and a large hall for people to gather.

  • Although Jewish people believe in God, synagogues don’t have images of God or people.

A synagogue service.
Image caption,
A synagogue service.

Here are some things that can usually be found in a synagogue:

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 7, Star of David, Star of David A six-pointed star. It is a symbol of Judaism.
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Families getting together to worship at the synagogue.
Image caption,
Families worshipping at the synagogue.

Ways of worship

  • There are different types of synagogue, so services and synagogue buildings can be different.

  • People might go to the synagogue to pray, take part in community events or attend religious festivals.

Synagogue services

  • A religious leader called a usually leads the services.

  • There are different prayers for different services at the synagogue. Jewish people say the Shema prayer to show that they believe in one God.

  • Jewish people can worship at the synagogue whenever there is a service.

  • They usually visit the synagogue on Saturday morning to worship during Shabbat.

  • Shabbat is the Jewish Day of Rest, when Jewish people remember God and rest. It takes place from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.

Families getting together to worship at the synagogue.
Image caption,
Families worshipping at the synagogue.
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