Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Afshan.

Today, we are going to learn about synagogues and how they're important places of worship for Jewish.

The lesson is called "How Synagogues Differ" from the unit, "Places of worship, what makes them sacred?" We'll explore what makes synagogues special and how they differ in this lesson today, both inside and outside features.

We will also see how synagogues can look similar, yet have important differences based on the traditions they follow.

The learning outcome of today's lesson is I can describe some similarities and differences between different types of synagogues.

Let's start our lesson.

These are some of the key words we will be exploring in our lesson today.

The words are Orthodox, which is a major branch within Judaism, which teaches strict followings of Jewish laws.

Reform is a form of Judaism which has reformed or adapted to modern changes in life.

Ark is a place where the Torah scrolls are kept.

Bimah, the raised platform in the synagogues from which the Torah is read and services led.

Ner Tamid, a special light that hangs in a synagogue and reminds people about God.

Shall we have a go at reading these words? I can help you with that.

First, it would be my turn and then your turn.

Let's have a go.

Orthodox.

Orthodox.

Reform.

Reform.

Ark.

Ark.

Bimah.

Bimah.

Ner Tamid.

Ner Tamid.

Well done.

You worked really hard.

We have three cycles in our lesson today, but first, we would look at how are synagogues similar and different outside? Let's meet Rafi.

This is Rafi, an Orthodox Jewish boy from London.

This is the synagogue where Rafi goes to worship God every week with his family.

What features can you see in Rafi's synagogue? Rafi's synagogue was built in 1854 as one of the oldest synagogues in London.

It had new parts added over time.

Let's find out about the features that identify it as a synagogue.

On the outside, it has the Star of David, which is a six-pointed star, which symbolises Judaism.

It also has a Mezuzah.

A Mezuzah is a case on the doorpost containing a scroll with an important prayer from the Torah written in Hebrew.

Time for a check for understanding.

What is the case on the doorpost of Rafi's Synagogue called? Is it a Star of David, a Mezuzah, or the Torah scroll? What do you think? That's correct.

It's called a Mezuzah.

This is Rebecca, And Rebecca is a Reform Jewish girl.

She visits her synagogue regularly with her family.

Here's an image of Rebecca's synagogue.

How does Rafi's synagogue look different and similar to Rebecca's synagogue? Can you spot the features? Great.

Let's find out.

Rebecca's synagogue is a Reform synagogue.

It was not built as a synagogue.

It used to be part of a hospital, and the Jewish community bought the building and adapted it to be a synagogue.

It has similar outside features to Rafi's synagogue, like the Mezuzah and the Star of David.

Great if you found them too.

Time for another check.

All synagogues were originally built as synagogues.

True or false? False because some synagogues, like Rafi's, were originally built as synagogues.

Others, like Rebecca's, were adapted from other buildings.

Well done.

Synagogues can be found all over the world as Jews have created communities and build them.

Let's look at some of the synagogues from around the world.

This is a synagogue in India.

Here is a synagogue in Ukraine.

And here is a synagogue in the USA.

Let's check if you got that.

Synagogues are only found in the UK.

True or false? You are right if you had false as your answer because there are synagogues found all over the world.

Wherever Jewish have settled, they have built synagogues to worship in, like we saw earlier on.

Time for our task.

Here is Andeep.

Andeep thinks all synagogues look the same on the outside.

Can you help Andeep understand more about how synagogues have common outside features, but can look different? You can pause the video now and come back so we can check our answers.

Let's check our answers.

Let's help Andeep understand more about how synagogues have common outside features but can look different.

You may have included these in your answers.

Synagogues can look different on the outside, but they have some common features that make them easily recognisable as synagogues.

Many synagogues have a Star of David, which is a special symbol of Judaism, often displayed on the outside.

And the Mezuzah, which is a small case with the scroll of prayer, which is placed on the doorpost of the synagogue.

Well done if you mentioned those features.

Great work.

Now let's look at which parts of a synagogue are sacred.

Here's Rebecca.

Rebecca says, "I really like my synagogue.

It may look different from the outside, but inside, it is a sacred place where I can pray and celebrate with my community.

It is a special place where I feel deep connection to my Jewish identity." Let's have a look at the inside.

Which parts of a synagogue are sacred? Let's have a look at inside of this Reform synagogue.

What can you see? You may have noticed stained glass windows, a platform, and beautiful carved wood.

Here are some of the important features inside Rebecca's synagogue.

They may be the same as in Rafi's synagogue.

Rebecca's synagogue has an Ark, a Ner Tamid, and a Bimah.

This is the arc at Rebecca's synagogue.

The Torah is the most important part of the synagogue.

It is kept in a special cabinet called the Ark.

Many Arks are beautifully decorated, which makes the synagogue feel special.

Rafi's synagogue also has an Ark.

This may look different, but the Ark at Rafi's synagogue is similar to Rebecca's where the sacred Torah scrolls are kept.

People often face the Ark when they are praying to show their respect.

Time for another check.

What is kept in the Ark of a synagogue? Is it Torah scrolls? Candles? Or Shofar? Have a go.

Torah scrolls.

That is correct.

Well done.

Both Rebecca and Rafi's synagogue have a Ner Tamid.

The Ner Tamid is a special light that is always lit and reminds many Jews that God is always present and watching over them.

Can you spot the lights? Let's check if you got that.

A Ner Tamid hangs over the Ark in every synagogue.

True or false? True.

That is correct.

It shows the connection between God and the Jewish community.

The Bimah.

The Bimah is found in both Rebecca and Rafi's synagogue.

The Bimah is an important part of worship in the synagogue.

It is a raised platform where the Torah is read during services.

Time for another check.

What is read from the Bimah? Books, Bible, or Torah scrolls? Torah Scrolls.

That is the correct answer.

Well done.

Time for another task.

Label and explain the importance of the sacred part of this Reform synagogue on the diagram.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready so we can check our answers.

Let's check our answers.

The first is Ner Tamid which is a special light that reminds many Jews that God is always present and watching over them.

You can also find the Ark, which is a special cupboard at the front of the synagogue that holds the Torah scrolls.

It also has the Bimah which is a raised platform from where the Torah is read during services.

Well done if you labelled and explained them on the diagram.

Great work.

Now let's look at how are synagogues similar and different.

This is Rafi's synagogue.

In Rafi's Orthodox synagogue, men and women sit in different areas.

The Torah is read in Hebrew by men, and people use traditional prayers.

The service is led by the rabbi from the Bimah, which is in the middle of the room.

Time for a check for understanding.

What language is the Torah read in? Is it Hebrew, Hindi, or English? Hebrew.

That is correct.

Let's look at Rebecca's synagogue.

In Rebecca's Reform synagogue, men and women often sit together, unlike Rafi's synagogue.

Some prayers might be in English and easier to understand.

The Bimah is at the front of the room instead of the centre, like in Rafi's synagogue.

Time for another check.

In Rebecca's synagogue, men and women sit in different areas.

True or false? False.

In Rebecca's synagogue, which is a Reform synagogue, men and women often sit together.

Well done if you got that right.

Let's remind ourselves about what we have learned about different synagogues.

Andeep, Laura, and Alex are going to help us.

Andeep says, "Orthodox and Reform synagogues are places to pray and learn about Jewish faith." Laura says, "Reading from the Torah is really important at all synagogues, but the Bimah may be in a different place." And Alex says, "In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately, while in Reform synagogues, they usually sit together." Great, now let's go to our task.

Write two similarities and two differences between Orthodox and Reform synagogues.

You can use the table to write your answers.

Pause the video now and come back to check your answers with me.

Let's check our answers.

Let's look at similarities first.

Orthodox and Reform synagogues are places to pray and learn about Jewish faith.

Another similarity is the Torah is read during services and it is an important part of worship.

Now let's look at the differences.

In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately, while in Reform synagogues, they usually sit together.

Another difference is in Orthodox synagogues, the Bimah is in the centre of the room while in Reform synagogues, the Bimah might be at the front.

Great work if you got them all in your table too.

Well done.

Here's a quick reminder of what we've learned in our lesson today.

We now know there are different types of synagogues, including Orthodox and Reform.

Most synagogues share common sacred areas such as the Ark, Bimah, and Ner Tamid.

We also have learned that synagogues have similarities, like being places of worship, but they also have differences, such as seating arrangements.

Well done, you worked really hard in our lesson today, and I hope to see you in our next lesson.

Bye.