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A shul, also known as a synagogue or temple, is a place of Jewish worship and community activities. It is often run by lay people and supported by annual fees. The word shul comes from Yiddish and means “school,” reflecting the importance of education in the Jewish faith. Visitors are welcome, but should dress respectfully and cover their heads if they are men or married women. Shuls typically have religious objects such as an ark for the Torah and may have separate seating for men and women in Orthodox synagogues.
A shul is a structure dedicated to Jewish worship, typically including an area for prayer, offices for shul staff, and sometimes community rooms for study and other activities. Shuls are also known as synagogues or temples, depending on which sect of Judaism someone belongs to. The term shul is most commonly used by Orthodox and Hasidic Jews. For Jewish communities, the shul is often the center of community activities and organizations, serving as a place of worship, a meeting place, and sometimes even a school. Shuls also serves as a central distribution point for charities, distributing blankets, food and other necessities to those in need.
The word shul is Yiddish and comes from a German word meaning “school.” The use of shul is meant to remind people of the role of shul in education, as people of the Jewish faith believe that religious education is an ongoing experience and are encouraged to study religious texts throughout their lives. Many shul maintain a library of religious texts and other materials of interest that community members are welcome to use, and some also offer instruction and assistance with educational materials, for those interested in guidance.
Typically, a shul is run by a group of lay people, and is often supported with the use of annual fees. People who cannot afford the annual fees are of course welcome to attend the services in the shul. The lay council handles the day-to-day administration of the shul, and they often hire a rabbi to lead prayer services and provide religious instruction and guidance, although a rabbi is not required, and the laity sometimes lead prayer meetings and other events.
All shul have an assortment of religious objects including an ark to hold the Torah, a reading platform, a lantern and a candlestick. Depending on which sect the members of the shul belong to, there may also be other elements and features, such as separate seating for men and women in Orthodox synagogues. Some shul also maintain a kitchen to facilitate catering community events, and the facility may be attached to a school in some communities.
People who are not of the Jewish faith are certainly welcome to visit a shul and attend services there, as long as they remain respectful. As a general rule, one should dress well, while men and married women should cover their heads. Many shul provide head coverings for people who don’t have them. Prayer books in Hebrew and a native language are often found in a shul, allowing non-Hebrew speakers to follow, and people should attend the service as much as they feel comfortable. In many shuls, people are also happy to answer questions about aspects of the service that arouse curiosity or confusion.
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