synagogue

In Worms, Germany, lies a synagogue that's stood for a near millennium, housing a plaque nearly 1,000 years old. This is where Rashi, the revered scholar, studied as a young man under Rabbi Yaakov ben Yakar.

Discover the grandeur of the ancient synagogue in Alexandria, so vast that special signalers waved cloths to cue the congregation for 'amen.' Join us on a historical journey.

As the cantor brings out the Torah scroll and the congregation accompanies him to the bimah, an unexpected dramatic moment unfolds when an unknown woman interrupts: "I won't let you read the Torah!"

Rabbi Yeshayah Bassan of Italy, mentor of Ramchal, heard of the situation and was displeased. He promptly wrote a detailed letter to the scholars of Trieste: despite their intentions to instill respect for prayer, their "punishment" was an immense embarrassment to prayer, the synagogue, and the Jewish people, also posing a potential threat from non-Jews.

Whenever tensions flared between the Romans and the Jews in the Land of Israel, Roman citizens would incite hostility against the Jews of Alexandria. In what became known as the "Diaspora Revolt," the entire Jewish population of Alexandria was wiped out. The Jerusalem Talmud recounts this horrific event, noting that blood flowed into the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Cyprus.

During a special prayer, the entire Jewish community of Metz gathered closely in the synagogue. Suddenly, amidst the emotional rendition by the cantor, a loud noise echoed "as if a great building was collapsing."

Explore fascinating house dedications in Jewish history, from the First Temple to the lavish "Zichron Menachem" synagogue.

When Rabbi Heschel Reichlebich was given five offices to transform into a synagogue, he couldn't have imagined the number of professionals who would volunteer their services for free. They, in turn, never anticipated witnessing visible miracles during the construction.

After two months of research and great interest in the Jewish history of Gaza, tour guide Israel Shapira releases a fascinating book revealing untold details about the city and its connection to the Jewish people.

Sarah Shama traveled to Syria to document the ancient synagogue in Aleppo, unaware it would be the last time it stood in its original form. Now, due to the exclusive photos she brought to Israel, the synagogue is restored for future generations.

The community in San Jose, California is in shock following the arson and looting of their synagogue. The community's rabbi notes: "There were never any anti-Semitic incidents here, which makes this so hard for us," and reveals how they plan to respond.

Today, on the 8th of Cheshvan, marks 300 years since the first burning of Rabbi Yehuda the Chassid's synagogue.

Yael Bar Zohar recalls the moments when she first learned to pray at the synagogue after meeting her husband, Guy Zu-Aretz. How did she spend Yom Kippur this year without going to the synagogue?

Koby Peretz shares a stirring post amid the coronavirus crisis: "I sit and ponder why Hashem has sent us out of the synagogue. I am not speaking about corona at all, for all of the ways of Hashem are measure for measure. Why are we ashamed and embarrassed as we are sent outside? We've become accustomed to it, and that is the great danger."

The 'Etz Chaim' synagogue came into the limelight this week due to its mikveh's basin filling after years of inactivity, thanks to the rising waters of the Kinneret. "The mikveh is now suitable for immersion," exclaims the excited gabai who shares more of the synagogue's ancient secrets, once believed to house the Sanhedrin.

Do children really eat candy only 'once a year'? Let's make a real calculation. How much candy do kids eat at the synagogue?

In a significant discovery at the Vilna Great Synagogue excavation site, researchers have uncovered ancient Hebrew inscriptions for the first time since the synagogue was destroyed by the Nazis. One of these inscriptions was part of a stone table used to read from the Torah. Join us in exploring this fascinating piece of history.

Archaeological finds have uncovered parts of the Great Synagogue of Vilna. Initial reports suggest staircases leading to underground levels have been discovered.

Conflicting accounts and sources debate the creation of the Golem by the Maharal of Prague, and the claim that it was hidden in the synagogue's attic.