The SynagogueTo look at important objects in a synagogue.

To understand the symbolism behind these objects

STARTER TASK...We all have a favourite building. Forexample - our house, a shop, school,

Shopping centre, place of worship etc.

1. What’s your special/favourite building?

2. What is it that makes your building special?

Outside The Synagogue

Inside The Synagogue

Inside The SynagogueNer Tamid – ‘Eternal Light’◦Hangs above the ark in every

synagogue and is a Symbol of G-d’s eternal and imminent presence in our communities and lives

◦It’s NEVER turned off!!!!!

Inside The SynagogueThe Ark (Aran Ha-Kodesh)The most important part of the Synagogue. A special cupboard always at the front of the main room where the scrolls are kept

Inside The SynagogueScrolls - TORAHBook made from parchment or animal skinPrecious because the TORAH is written on themWhen a scroll is going to be read in a synagogue

service – taken out of the ARK

Inside The SynagogueThe Bimah – Reading DeskRaised platform in the centre of the synagogueShows that the Torah must be at the centre of Jewish Life and that it is the heart of the Jewish people

Inside The SynagogueThe Menorah – Symbol of the nation of IsraelOne of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith and is traditionally a 7 branched candle holderA 9 branched menorah is used on Chanukah to commemorate a days worth of oil lasting 8 days

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?1. What is a Synagogue?

2. What is the Ark?

3. What is the Bimah?

4. Where are the scrolls kept?

5. How many branches do each of the menorahs have? When are they both used?

Worship In The Synagogue

Special Clothes...

At services, men wear a kippah which is a skull cap and is worn as a sign of respect for G-d

During morning services, men may also wear a tallit which is a prayer robe which has a fringe and tassels on the end

In Orthodox Synagogues, men may wear two black leather boxes with straps called tefillin. They contain small pieces of parchment with short quotations from the Scriptures written on it .

The SynagogueTo look at important objects in a synagogue.

To understand the symbolism behind these objects

Match the objects that you would see in a synagogue and explain what they are and why they are important

Extension Task...

Explain why you think Jews go to the synagogue if they believe they can worship G-d anywhere?

Explain reasons for why synagogues are always beautifully decorated.

ETERNAL LIGHT

THE ARK

TORAH SCROLLS

BIMAH

MENORAH

SYNAGOGUE

Create a leaflet to explain to non-Jews about the Synagogue and Torah

You must include: Title – The Synagogue LOTS OF PICTURES!!! A drawing of a synagogue INSIDE AND

OUTSIDE Draw and Label the important parts of the

synagogue and explain why they are important for Jews USE THEIR PROPER NAMES!!!

A drawing of the TORAH and explain what is in it and why it is important