Where are we today?

What is a Synagogue?

starter Think of a place that is special to you. A place where you feel safe, happy or peaceful. Where are you? This is how Jews feel in a Synagogue.

Horrid Henry has been on a trip to a Synagogue to meet his mum and dad and to talk about the features of a Synagogue. Here they are to tell you what they have learnt…….. PAY ATTENTION FOR THE QUIZ THAT WILL FOLLOW!

Visits a Synagogue

The Star of David will be found on the outside of a synagogue, it is the symbol for Judaism. The word ‘synagogue’ means ‘meeting place’

Stained Glass Windows In many synagogues there are stained glass windows showing important symbols of faith including the Star of David, The Menorah or the Ten Commandments.

The Ark is the most important feature in the synagogue The Ark is the most important feature in the synagogue. Inside the ark, the handwritten holy scrolls known as the ‘Sefer Torah’ are kept. The Torah are the first five books of the Jewish Bible. The Ark

The Jewish holy book, the Torah is kept inside the Ark. A Yad or pointer used to read the scrolls. Why do you think they need a Yad?

The Bimah This is a platform in the centre of the synagogue. The scrolls are read from here.

Eternal Light Also known as Ner Tamid. This light is kept burning to show God is always present.

The Ten Commandments decorate the Ark, reminding Jews of their most important rules.

The Pulpit The Rabbi (religious leader) takes a sermon from here.

The Gallery The seating area upstairs is just for the women. Why?

Now, using this information record your findings on the work sheet provided. Make sure you take your time, these will be stuck in your topic books. Take your completed sheet your class.