The Great Global Shul Crawl

THE GREAT GLOBAL

Shul Crawl

Take a trip around the world, solve the cluesand discover synagogues throughout Jewish history

LET'S GO!

Shul:

Yiddish slang for synagogue. AS IN: "Oy vey! We're late for shul!"

- urban dictionary

OF Greek origin (synagein, “to bring together”), meanING “A place of assembly"

Synagogue:

START NOW

Solve the Clues!

Where in the world is this

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Shul?

WELL DONE! The Bevis Marks Synagogue in London, England

Where in the world is this

Shul?

Established in 1701, the synagogue is still an active community today. It was founded by Jews from Spain and Portugal who returned to England in the 17th century, after an absence of more than 300 years. The synagogue still has many of its original decorations and furnishings, including wooden benches and candelabras that still hold candles on special occasions.

Find out more...

Next SHUL

Where in the world is this

OOPS! Try again

Shul?

Solve the Clues!

Where in the world is this

Clue 1

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Shul?

WELL DONE! The Sardis Synagogue in Turkey

Where in the world is this

Shul?

These are the ruins of the synagogue in Sardis, Turkey, discovered during excavations conducted in 1962. The synagogue was destroyed in 616 CE when the city was conquered by the Persians. It was never rebuilt and there was never a Jewish community in Sardis again.

Find out more...

Next SHUL

Where in the world is this

OOPS! Try again

Shul?

Solve the Clues!

Where in the world is this

Clue 1

Clue 3

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Shul?

WELL DONE! The Altneuschul, Prague, Czech Republic

Where in the world is this

Shul?

The Altneuschul ("Old-New Synagogue") was built in 1270 in Josefov, the Jewish quarter of Prague. It was originally called the New Synagogue, but as the years passed and other synagogues were built, it was renamed the Old-New Synagogue. The Altneuschul was one of six synagogues left standing and preserved after the last forced structural changes to the Jewish quarter in the 20th century, a testament to the intricate Jewish history of Prague over the centuries

Find out more...

Next SHUL

Where in the world is this

OOPS! Try again

Shul?

Solve the Clues!

Where in the world is this

Clue 1

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Shul?

WELL DONE! The Neve Shalom Synagogue, Suriname

Where in the world is this

Shul?

Fewer than 200 Jews remain in Suriname today, but the Neve Shalom Synagogue is the center of Jewish life in the country. According to tradition, the synagogue's unique sandy floor is a reminder of the Hebrews’ 40 years in the desert. It is also said to remember the days of the Inquisition when practicing Judaism was punishable by death and Jews covered the floor with sand to muffle the sounds of their prayers.

Find out more...

Next SHUL

Where in the world is this

OOPS! Try again

Shul?

Solve the Clues!

Where in the world is this

Clue 1

Clue 3

Clue 2

Clue 4

Shul?

WELL DONE! Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin, India

Where in the world is this

Shul?

This synagogue is the oldest active Jewish house of prayer in India. 'Paradesi' is a word used in several Indian languages, literally meaning "foreigners". The synagogue's design draws on many influences, for example featuring Hindu-inspired decorative brass and glass oil-burning lamps that hang from the ceiling, as well as Belgian glass chandeliers,

Find out more...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Where in the world is this

OOPS! Try again

Shul?

pLAY AGAIN

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Which synagogue interested you the most? Why?

Do you belong to a shul community?

If you were starting a new shul, what would you call it?

What is similar or different about the shuls you saw vs the shuls you know or visit?

Want more? Discover a treasure trove of fun online learning experiences at the National Library of Israel