1. The Synagogue STARTER TASK... What’s your special/favourite building?
We all have a favourite building. For
example - our house, a shop, school, Shopping centre, place of worship etc.
What’s your special/favourite building?
What is it that makes your building special?
To look at important objects in a synagogue.
To understand the symbolism behind these objects

2. Outside The Synagogue

3. Inside The Synagogue

4. Inside The Synagogue Ner 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!!!!!

5. Inside The Synagogue The 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

6. Inside The Synagogue Scrolls - TORAH
Book made from parchment or animal skin
Precious because the TORAH is written on them
When a scroll is going to be read in a synagogue service – taken out of the ARK

7. Inside The Synagogue The Bimah – Reading Desk
Raised platform in the centre of the synagogue
Shows that the Torah must be at the centre of Jewish Life and that it is the heart of the Jewish people

8. Inside The Synagogue The Menorah – Symbol of the nation of Israel
One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith and is traditionally a 7 branched candle holder
A 9 branched menorah is used on Chanukah to commemorate a days worth of oil lasting 8 days

9. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER? What is a Synagogue? What is the Ark?
What is the Bimah?
Where are the scrolls kept?
How many branches do each of the menorahs have? When are they both used?

10. 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 .

11. The Synagogue
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.
To look at important objects in a synagogue.
To understand the symbolism behind these objects

12. ETERNAL LIGHT
THE ARK
TORAH SCROLLS
BIMAH
MENORAH
SYNAGOGUE

13. 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