HomeCommentaryAsk A Jew: What's the difference between a temple and synagogue?

Ask A Jew: What’s the difference between a temple and synagogue?

By: Hyphen Parent

Date:

April 4, 2016

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By Hyphen Parent

What’s the difference between a temple and synagogue?

Technically, there’s no difference between a synagogue or temple. A place a worship can be called a synagogue, temple, or shul. You may also see “Congregation” used in the name of a synagogue.

It’s far more common for a Reform congregation to use the word “Temple.” Many Orthodox and Conservative Jews believe the only place that should be referred to as “Temple,” is the ancient one in Jerusalem. And so they don’t refer to their congregations as such.

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Hyphen Parent

Dorothy-Ann Parent (better known as Hyphen) is a writer, a traditional Jew, a seeker of justice, a lover of stories and someone who’s best not left unattended in a bookshop or animal shelter.

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