Synagogue layout and services
Inside the synagogue
The synagogue is the Jewish place of worship, but is also used as a place to study, and often as a community centre as well.
Orthodox Jews often use the Yiddish word shul (pronounced shool) to refer to their synagogue. In the USA, synagogues are often called temples.
Segregation
In Orthodox synagogues men and women sit separately, and everyone (except young girls) has their head covered. In a Reform synagogue men and women can sit together.
The service
Synagogue services can be led by a rabbi, a cantor or a member of the congregation.
Traditional Jewish worship requires a minyan (a quorum of ten adult males) to take place.
In an Orthodox synagogue the service will be conducted in ancient Hebrew, and the singing will be unaccompanied.
Few British synagogues now have a choir, but they are more common in the USA.
In a progressive (Reform, Liberal) synagogue the service will be at least partly in English, there may a choir and instruments, and men and women can sit together.