You are going to go on a tour of a Jewish
Synagogue
The first thing you need to do is down load this worksheet to record your information
(You can either print it off or write it up on-line - if you're asked for a password click cancel)
Now……..
Enter the synagogue and follow the links.
As well as pictures on each page there is also information that you need to read and write up IN YOUR OWN WORDS on your worksheet
The tours and worksheets are from the RE-XS web site

1. What does the word Orthodox mean? What are the differences between the Orthodox and Reformed synagogues?
2. What sorts of things is the Synagogue used for? Why do you think it plays such an important role in the life of a Jew?
3. Describe how a Jewish boy would prepare for worship in the
Synagogue. What would he wear? What is the significance of the various items of clothing he wears?

5. What is the Bimah used for? What is the significance of it being raised higher than the congregation?
6. The Ark is very important for Jews, briefly describe what the ark is.
What would you expect to see above the Ark. What do these two objects mean for a Jew?
7. Describe the inside of the synagogue, you can use the diagram below to help you. It can be labelled to show the different features within the synagogue. Include diagrams to show the Ark, Bimah, Ner Tamid,
Rabbi's seat, ten commandments, menorah.

The Synagogue is the place where Jews meet to worship. For them it is a holy building and is treated with great respect. All Orthodox synagogues will be similar in design and will have practically the same features as in this synagogue.
The layout of the building is rectangular, with seats arranged on three sides. The fourth side is the most important, it holds the Ark . Almost in the centre of the
Synagogue is a raised platform called the Bimah. At the foot of the Bimah is a group of seats reserved for elders of the synagogue.
You can see stained glass windows, they have pictures showing scenes from the
Torah along with writing in Hebrew.
The Jewish holy day, the Shabbat, is from dusk on Friday until dusk on Saturday. On
Friday this synagogue will be attended mostly by men, whereas the service on
Saturday morning will be for the whole family. Around the back and sides of the synagogue is a balcony for women and children to sit in, they are not allowed to sit with the men in the main body of the synagogue
Uses of the Synagogue
The synagogue is used mainly for worship, but besides this it is also used as


 a community centre for local Jews to meet regularly. a school to learn Hebrew and to interpret the Torah.
Youth clubs, Women's groups and sports teams would all use various rooms in the Synagogue.
As you move you mouse over the photograph it will change into a hand. There are two separate hot-spots which will, in turn, take you to different parts of the synagogue.

The Bimah
The two photographs on this page show different views of the Bimah, the raised platform in the Synagogue.
The Bimah is used by the Rabbi to read the Torah scrolls from. It is raised so that the congregation can see the Rabbi and he can see them.
The top picture looks towards the Ark which contains the Torah scrolls. On either side of the Bimah are Menorahs (seven branched candlesticks).
The bottom picture shows the place where the Torah scrolls are read from. The book that you can see is the Siddur
Click either picture to continue.

During the Shabbat service the elders would stand in front of the closed ark and recite a prayer called the Amidah. The elders will take two people with them to the ark and open the doors, revealing the torah scrolls. As the scrolls are taken to the Bimah members of the congregation will press forward to touch the scrolls.

The scrolls have crowns covering the top of the rollers and a metal plate, called a breastplate hanging around the crowns.
Covering the Torah scroll is a decorated cover called a mantle.
This is usually embroidered with a crown, representing King
David. Just visible is a pointer in the shape of a hand called a
Yad . This is used by the person reading the torah to help keep his place and to avoid touching the scroll.
Above the Ark you will see two plaques of bronze or stone which represent the Ten
Commandments given to Moses by G-d on Mount Sinai. They are written in Hebrew. Usually only the first few words of two commandments are reproduced on the plaques.
Above these is the Ner Tamid or
Eternal Light. This is a lamp which is continually lit to symbolise the presence of G-d in the Synagogue and shows respect for the holiness of the Torah scrolls.
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The Tallit is a prayer shawl, worn around the neck during the service.
You can see the tassels or fringes hanging down. Each one represents the laws Jews must follow in their lives. This comes from a commandment in the Torah:
The Tephillin are two small boxes with leather straps attached to them.
You can see them in the picture next to the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book. The tephillin contain a small portion of scripture from the Torah, called the Shema
'Tell them to make fringes in the borders of their garments, so they may look upon them and remember all the commandments of the Lord.'
Numbers 15:38-39
'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the
Lord is One, and you shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might' Deuteronomy 6:4-5
(photo Aylett - The Jewish Experience Hodder & Stoughton)
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The word you clicked has taken you here to explain what the word means. To get back to the section of the tour you were looking at click the word again.
Altar - The most holy part of the church. It is the stone table that holds the bread and wine during a communion service and represents the place where Christ offers himself as a sacrifice for others.
Ark - The cupboard at the front of the Synagogue that holds the Torah Scrolls.
Atonement - The Christian belief that Jesus gave up his life to be crucified on the cross
(sacrificed) so that the sins of people could be forgiven. He paid the price for our sins.
Baptism - A religious ritual involving the dipping of the person in water or the sprinkling of the person with water at the font. Once a person has been baptised they join the church. Most people are baptised as infants, although the Baptist church only baptises adults, using a baptistery or pool.
Catechism - Used by Roman Catholics, this is a series of questions about the beliefs of
Catholics such as 'Who is Jesus?'. Along with the question are the answers.
Chancel - The area at the front of the church that contains the altar. It is at the end of the nave. The chancel is often separated from the rest of the church by the
Communion Rail.
Denomination - A church or a group of Christians that are still part of the Christian
Faith even though they are known by a different name e.g.Methodists, Anglicans.
Guru Granth Sahib - The Sikh holy book
Liturgical - A type of Christian worship such as in the Roman Catholic church, where the emphasis of the worship is on the sacraments (e.g. Holy Communion). The worship follows a set pattern (a liturgy) and it is very formal. There is a lot of emphasis on rituals and symbolic actions such as kneeling, sprinkling Holy water and the burning of incense.
Mihrab - The alcove (indentation) in a side of the mosque that points in the direction of Mecca
Muezzin - Man who calls Muslims to prayer from the Minaret.
Nave - The central aisle of the church that leads from the back to the altar at the front of the church.

Non-Liturgica l- A type of Christian worship such as in the Methodist church, where the emphasis of the worship is on Bible readings and preaching. Usually only the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Marriage and Ordination are used. The worship tends to be informal and may not follow a set pattern.
Palki - The canopy under which the Guru Granth Sahib sits.
Psalm - A book in the Old Testament of the Bible. They are very old songs and are used in church either as hymns, readings or as prayers.
Pope - The leader of the Roman Catholic church. Infallible (without error) and the representative of Christ on earth.
Sacrament - A religious event such as Holy Communion or Marriage that has spiritual significance. All sacraments have visible aspects to them, such as water in Baptism, but they also have invisible aspects to them such as the forgiveness of sins that happens at Baptism.
The Five Pillars of Islam -Five requirements of a Muslim.
1.
Shahadha- The Declaration of Faith
2.
Salah- Prayer five times a day
3.
Zakah- The giving of money to the poor
4.
Saum- Fasting during the month of Ramadan
5.
Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca
Torah - The first five books of the Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Deuteronomy and Numbers. The word Torah means 'teaching'.
Transubstantiation - The belief, held by Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians that at a point during the service of Holy Communion the bread and wine mysteriously change into the flesh and blood of Jesus.
Yad - Small pointer used by Jews to help read the Torah.