Courtesy of: InterfaithFamily.com

Many authorities on Jewish life have asserted that the most important rituals in Judaism take place in the home, not in the synagogue. This is mostly true, but not the whole story. Just about anything people do in a synagogue they could do in a home or any sort of building, but there are a lot of aspects of Jewish life that require a community. Synagogues as institutions provide social organization and a space for these activities, including group prayer and study. Jews organize synagogues, rather than the other way around as in some other religious traditions. Through synagogues, congregations hire religious teachers and leaders and make communal activities happen. Synagogues can therefore be great places to get to know Judaism--even the parts of Judaism you only do at home.  Read more...