A synagogue is a Jewish place of worship and community gathering. It serves as a house of prayer, assembly, and study, embodying spiritual, educational, and communal functions for Jewish people. The term "synagogue" comes from the Greek word meaning "a place of assembly," and in Hebrew, it is often called "beit knesset" (house of gathering), "beit tefilla" (house of prayer), or "beit midrash" (house of study).
Synagogues typically have a sanctuary for prayer services where Jews face Jerusalem, an ark that holds the Torah scrolls, and spaces for communal activities and learning. While prayer can be conducted anywhere with a quorum of ten adult Jews, synagogues are central to Jewish religious life as places for worship, study, and community events.
Overall, a synagogue is more than just a religious building; it is a community center where Jewish life, education, prayer, and social activities converge.
