What is a Synagogue?A synagogue is a Jewish temple in which a Jewish assemby or congregation meets to take part in prayer/religious services. It is a sacred place and a place of worship.
Origins of the name
The word 'synagogue' is a translation of a Greek word, 'Beit K'nesset'. 'Synagogue' means 'place of assembly'.
Functions of the Synagogue 
A synogogue is a house of prayer (beit tefilah) and a house of study (beit midrash). Although Jews can prayer anywhere, some prayers can only be said in front of a quorum of 10 men called a minyan. A synsgogue is no the most sacred place of prayer, 'The Temple' is. A synagogue is the place ewhere children recieve the basis of their religious education and has a library of sacred texts for the community to study from. There is a hall in a synagogue in which religiou /non-religious activities can be held as well as where matters of importance can be discussed. Synagogues also are also like a social welfare agency as they collect money/donations and help the poor.
A synogogue is a house of prayer (beit tefilah) and a house of study (beit midrash). Although Jews can prayer anywhere, some prayers can only be said in front of a quorum of 10 men called a minyan. A synsgogue is no the most sacred place of prayer, 'The Temple' is. A synagogue is the place ewhere children recieve the basis of their religious education and has a library of sacred texts for the community to study from. There is a hall in a synagogue in which religiou /non-religious activities can be held as well as where matters of importance can be discussed. Synagogues also are also like a social welfare agency as they collect money/donations and help the poor.Structure of a Synagogue
A group people called lay people manage activities in the synagogue and hire a Rabbi (lay people can conduct services too). Donations are collecte on weekday morning services for charity. You can pay to be a member of a synagogue but you don't have to to use one.
The part of the synagogue where prayer services are performed is called the sanctuary.
The Ark (Aron Kodesh) is a cabinet which holds the Tarah scrolls-it has doors, inner curtains called parokhet. When the Ark is opened everyone stands.
Eternal Lamp (ner tamid) is found above the Ark. It is symbolic of the commandment to keep a light burniing in the Tabernacle.
Menorahs with 6/8 candle sticks are found in synagogues as to make exact copies of Temple ritual items is improper.
A pedestal called a Bimah is found in the front or centre of the room an is used as a podium or to hold Torah scrolls.
Some synagogues also contain a lower lecturn called an amud.
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