Synagogues serve as a place where Jews come together for community prayer services. The sanctity of the synagogue for this purpose is second only to The Temple. Beit midrash, a house of study. Synagogues offer education to both children and adults and often have a well-stocked library. Beit knesset, a house of assembly.
Synagogues often have a social hall for religious and non-religious activities.
The synagogue provides a place where matters of importance to the community can be discussed, and social action concerns can be aired. Synagogues often provide social welfare functions, collecting and dispensing money and other items for the aid of the poor and needy within the community.