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R.E. TITLE OF UNIT: The Synagogue KEY THEME: Worship, pilgrimage and sacred places KEY CONCEPT: Worship / Synagogue Y4 Summer 2 STRANDS/ AT1: Practices and ways of life FIELDS OF ENQUIRY: AT2: Identity and Belonging AT 1 (See Local Agreed Syllabus) AT 2 Learning outcomes Identify and explain the significance of the key features of the synagogue. Explain why the synagogue is important to the Jewish community and talk about the ways in which it is used. Describe the ways in which the Ark and the Torah is used. Explain the role of a rabbi in Jewish worship. Talk about the significance of 10 Jewish males. Identify and explain the significance of the clothing worn by the Jewish males. Expectations – levels of attainment (See Local Agreed Syllabus) Nearly all can:- (LEVEL 2) . Many can:- (LEVEL 2/3) Some children have progressed further and can:- (LEVEL 3) Skills Reflection Communication / Expression Enquiry / Investigation Empathy Interpretation Reasoning Application Evaluation Key attitudes and values Respect /Sensitivity for all Open mindedness Appreciation, Awe and Wonder Opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (See Local Agreed Syllabus) e.g. Consider the 3 aspects/uses of a synagogue and importance of having a centre for the community. The importance of tradition in Judaism. Reflect on some Jewish folk songs and their importance in the community. Consider the 4th commandment– how is this reflected within a synagogue. Compare this with the art in a Roman Catholic/Anglican church. Every child matters Being Healthy Enjoy and Achieve Making a Positive Contribution Staying Safe Economic Well being Cross curricular links Art Literacy ICT Music Prior learning. Year 3: Sukkot Hanukkah Moses and the Exodus The Passover Marriage in Christianity and Judaism Year 4: Abraham Social cohesion Meet with members of the local Jewish community to explore what the synagogue /shul means for them Find out about how other Jewish Communities use the shul Key vocabulary Synagogue Shul Bimah Orthodox / reform Torah scrolls/Sefer Torah Menorah Bar / bat mitzvah Rabbi Minyan – number neededfor religious service House of Assembly or meeting – Beit Haknesset A House of Prayer – Beit T’filah A House of Study – Beit Midrash The shacharit – morning prayer The minchah - afternoon prayer The arvit – evening prayer. Kippah - Head coverings Talits - prayer shawls Key questions for enquiry Possible teaching activities Think about an assembly that you have been to in school. Was it an act of worship? What is the difference between worship and assembly? How would you turn an assembly into worship? Discuss what elements are required to make something worship. Now look at the pictures below. Can you say/ find out what they are and how they are used? In the days of Jesus Jews did not worship in a Church. They used to worship in a place called a Synagogue Read St Mark Chapter 1 vs 21. It tells how Jesus went to the synagogue in Capernaum "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach." (Mark 1vs 21). The picture below shows the ruins of this special place. Jesus was a devout Jew and worshipped regularly in a synagogue. Synagogues were the local places of worship when travelling to Jerusalem to the Temple was difficult. In England they are often called shul. Synagogues have three main functions: They are a House of Assembly or meeting – Beit Haknesset A House of Prayer – Beit T’filah A House of Study – Beit Midrash. As St Mark’s Gospel says Jesus went into the Synagogue to teach because it was a House of Study. Synagogues do not have an altar they have what is called an ‘Ark’ ( Aron Kodesh ) http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-synagogue/485.html The Ark is a cupboard in which the Torah scrolls are kept. It is fixed to the East wall which faces Jerusalem. If you look closely at picture 1 you will see a curtain which hangs in the front of the Ark and a lamp hanging in front of the curtain. It is called the Ner Tamid (everlasting Light) Most modern synagogues use an electric light but they used to be filled with oil. This instruction is found in Exodus27 v20-21 and symbolises God’s Presence. Just like the light above which is sometimes found in a Christian Church. The first Ark was thought to be a wooden box which contained the tablets of stone containing the 10 commandments. (See Raiders of the Lost Ark). Now look closely at the picture above and you can see the Torah scrolls in an open Ark. The Torah scrolls (Sefer Torah) are the Five Books of Moses – The first five books of the Hebrew Bible. They are written on parchment from a kosher animal. They are the Holiest objects in a Synagogue and the average length is 60 metres long. The Torah is divided into 54 portions. These are read on a weekly cycle throughout the year at the Bimah. This is usually found in the middle of the synagogue. If you look carefully you can see the Bimah or platform in picture1. In Orthodox synagogues, prayers are said in Hebrew and read by men but in some synagogues prayers are said in English and Hebrew. Most services and all Torah readings require 10 Jewish men over the age of 13 to be present. This is called the Minyan or required number). In a progressive synagogue men and women are called up to the Bimah to read a portion and recite blessings. The picture below shows the Sefer Torah. The open scroll written in Hebrew. In an Orthodox Synagogue any competent Jewish male may act as a prayer leader. In progressive synagogues women sometimes also take this role. A rabbi is a Jewish teacher who helps people understand the scriptures and Jewish teaching. He is not a priest. Synagogues vary in size, shape and denomination. In an Orthodox Synagogue women and men / boys and girls sit separately. If you look closely at photo 1 you will see the gallery where the women and girls sit. It looks down upon the main floor. In early synagogues men and women sat together but it was thought that the women distracted the men from prayer. Synagogues have always been community centres. There are usually rooms which are used as classrooms and rooms for other community activities. Jews believe that a person can pray to God whenever or wherever they wish however there are set forms of prayer which take place each day in the synagogue: The shacharit – morning prayer The minchah - afternoon prayer The arvit – evening prayer. This tradition comes from the Torah. Abraham prayed in the morning to set aside time for God before his own work. Isaac prayed in the afternoon stopping to remember God during the day and Jacob prayed in the evening to thank God for getting him safely through the day. Discuss this idea. What do you think is the best time to offer prayers? The most important prayer in Judaism is the ‘Shema’ Deuteronomy 6 vs 4-9, 11, 13-21 and Numbers 15 vs 37 – 41.Listen to the link below http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSPc_ac5f2A Head coverings (Kippah) and Talits (prayer shawls) are usually worn in synagogues. Although a talit is usually worn from the time of Barmitzvah (when a male Jewish boy is 13) traditions vary. Sometimes tephilah are also worn. Find out about the symbolism of the kippah, talit and tephilin. They are all special objects for Jews. Talk to a local Rabbi and find out what services take place in your nearest synagogue. Assessment opportunity Imagine you are a Jewish child. Design a guidebook to your synagogue explaining the significance of the objects and how the synagogue is used for prayer and worship. Resources Fiddler on the Roof Examining Religion—A Forta—Judaism—Heinemann Judaism: A pictorial guide—CEM Judaism for Today: Angela Wood OUP Judaism—Clive Lawton—Longman Jewish Artefacts Believe it or not (video) - Judaism A class visits to a synagogue Special clothes are worn by Jewish men—The Kippah/Yamulka The Tallit—The prayer shawl Tephilin Inspire-to-learn.co.uk Livingjudaism.co.uk