The Synagogue and Public Worship

The Synagogue: Heart of Jewish Community Life

The synagogue is the central institution of Jewish communal life. The Hebrew word for synagogue is beit knesset — “house of assembly” — and it serves multiple purposes: a place of worship, a place of Torah study, and a community hub. Since the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, the synagogue has replaced the Temple as the focus of Jewish religious life. Synagogues can be found wherever there is a Jewish community — from the ancient Bevis Marks Synagogue in the City of London (built 1701, the oldest synagogue in continual use in the United Kingdom) to modern synagogues in Manchester, Leeds and every major British city.

Synagogues serve three broad functions that echo the three Hebrew terms beit knesset (assembly), beit tefillah (house of prayer) and beit midrash (house of study). Prayer services are held daily in many communities; Torah classes and adult learning take place throughout the week; life-cycle events — Bar and Bat Mitzvah, weddings, memorial services — are celebrated and marked at the synagogue. In smaller communities, the synagogue is often the sole gathering point for the entire Jewish population of a town.

Key Features of the Synagogue

Three features of the synagogue are especially significant in Jewish worship. The bimah is the raised reading platform from which the Torah scroll is read publicly. In traditional Orthodox synagogues, the bimah stands in the centre of the main hall, reflecting the ancient Temple's design and ensuring that the congregation surrounds the reader. In most Reform synagogues, the bimah is positioned at the front of the hall, closer to the ark, emphasising the unity of the service and the rabbi’s leadership role.

The aron hakodesh — the holy ark — is the most sacred object in the synagogue. It is placed on the wall facing Jerusalem (in the UK, this means the east wall), so that the congregation faces Jerusalem when they pray. The ark houses the Torah scrolls, which are dressed in embroidered covers and adorned with silver ornaments. Opening the ark is a solemn moment in the service; the congregation rises.

Above the ark burns the ner tamid — the eternal light. This light is never extinguished, symbolising God’s constant, eternal presence. It recalls the menorah (the seven-branched lamp) which burned continuously in the ancient Temple. The ner tamid is found in both Orthodox and Reform synagogues, making it one of the universal features of Jewish worship spaces.

Orthodox and Reform Synagogues: Key Differences

The two most significant differences between Orthodox and Reform synagogues are the role of women and the language of prayer. In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately: the main floor is typically reserved for men, while women sit in a separate section — either an upper gallery or an area to the side screened off by a mechitza. Only men may lead services and read from the Torah in Orthodox practice. Reform synagogues are fully mixed: women sit alongside men, women may be ordained as rabbis, and both men and women lead services. The West London Synagogue (founded 1840) and the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John’s Wood are prominent UK Reform and Liberal institutions.

Orthodox synagogue services use Hebrew almost exclusively; many prayers have been unchanged for centuries. Reform services in the UK use a mixture of Hebrew and English, with translations and explanations integrated into the service to make worship accessible to all. Reform communities also tend to have shorter services. Despite these differences, both Orthodox and Reform synagogues affirm the same central beliefs — God’s oneness, the covenant, the mitzvot — and both face Jerusalem during prayer.

The Amidah: The Standing Prayer

The central prayer of every Jewish service is the Amidah (literally “the standing one”). It is recited three times daily — morning, afternoon and evening. During the Amidah, the worshipper stands with feet together, facing Jerusalem, and prays silently. The Amidah is divided into three sections: praise of God (three opening blessings), petitions (thirteen blessings asking for understanding, forgiveness, healing, redemption and more), and thanksgiving (three closing blessings).

The Amidah is one of the oldest prayers in Judaism, with roots in the time of the Second Temple. On Shabbat and festivals, the thirteen petitions are replaced with a single blessing for the special holiness of the day, shortening the service. The Amidah is found in both Orthodox and Reform prayer books, although Reform versions may use more inclusive language and include Hebrew alongside English translation. Its presence at the heart of every service makes it the most important regular prayer in Jewish worship.