In the Middle Ages, women often pray in their own room, the women’s shul, which becomes tangible for the first time in the ShUM communities. It is connected to the synagogue, with listening windows acting as an opening between the two buildings, but it does not have a Torah Ark or a bema. In the 18th century, women’s galleries start to appear in synagogues. The reform movement in the 19th century then initiates the gradual abolishment of the strict separation of men and women, which has now completely disappeared from liberal communities but can still partly be found in modern-day orthodox congregations.
Synagogue Sacred Jewish building for gatherings, services and social and cultural events within the Jewish community.
Torah The five Books of Moses at the beginning of the Bible, which are read in the synagogue
(Sacred Jewish building for gatherings, services and social and cultural events within the Jewish community.) over the period of a year. The term also refers to the scroll that is stored in the Torah ark.
Liberal A Jewish confession (religious persuasion, a sub-group within a religion) that originated in Germany in the 19th century and represents a modernisation of traditional religious practice and principles. Opposite: orthodox (strongly religious, devout) - a stream of Judaism that strictly observes all regulations and commandments of the Jewish religious laws.
Orthodox Strongly religious, devout. A stream of Judaism that strictly observes all regulations and commandments of the Jewish religious laws. Opposite:
liberal - A Jewish confession
(a religious persuasion) that originated in Germany in the 19th century and represents a modernisation of traditional religious practice and principles.