Synagogue – the building where Jewish people go to worship God; also used for study and gatherings

(Pronounced sin-ah-gog)

To remember the meaning of Synagogue in Judaism, use the following mnemonic:

He confessed his sin and they were agog (synagogue) - their place of worship had never hosted such an event before.

Apart from being the place where Jewish people worship, the synagogue is also a place to study and, in many cases, a community centre.

In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately. In a Reform synagogue, they can sit together.

Traditional Jewish worship requires a minyan (an attendance of at least ten adult males) before it can take place.

In Orthodox synagogues the service is conducted in ancient Hebrew and singing is unaccompanied.

In a progressive (Reform or Liberal) synagogue the service is at least partly in English, and there may a choir and accompaniment by musical instruments.

Every synagogue contains an Ark – a cupboard where the Torah scrolls are kept – and a desk from which to read the Torah. The platform and the desk for Torah readings are together called the Bimah.

The Eternal Light (the Ner Tamid) hangs above the Ark as a symbol of God's presence.