Reveal

World: Synagogues - Spiritual Centers of the Jewish World

For Browsing

Defining the role of the synagogue in Jewish life, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, Alexander Boroda, noted: “The synagogue is not a temple. In Hebrew, it is called *beit knesset* — ‘house of assembly’ — a place where people can come not only for prayer. Many visit the synagogue simply to be there, to feel their connection to Judaism. Its architecture should not reflect any ideological messages: neither grandeur nor, conversely, asceticism, but the style of both the exterior and interior reflects the era and geographical location. The goal is to make the synagogue functional and cozy, like a home, to give people motivation to spend much more time there than is required for prayer.”

Jermaine Jermaine

Map