Teach Jewish History K–5 Lesson
Handout A

Build a Timeline

Where Did the Synagogue Come From? · Grades 3–5
Name:Date:

How to do this

  1. Cut out the nine cards.
  2. Read the date on each card.
  3. Put them in order, oldest to newest.
  4. Write the letters below. Color the pictures.
BCE: count downCE: count up1000 BCE500 BCEYear 1500100015002000longeragocloser totoday
✂ Cut on the dashed lines
A1270
Altneuschul, Prague
Jewish families build the “Old-New Synagogue” in Prague. People still pray in it today, more than 750 years later.
B586 BCE
The Babylonians destroy the First Temple
The Babylonian army attacks Jerusalem and burns the Temple. Many Jewish families are taken away to live in Babylon.
CToday
Synagogues everywhere
Today there are synagogues in countries all over the world. There may be one in your town or a town near you!
DAbout 950 BCE
The First Temple
Jewish tradition says King Solomon built a great stone Temple in Jerusalem, on a hill called the Temple Mount.
E70 CE
The Romans destroy the Second Temple
The Roman army destroys the Temple. It has not been rebuilt since. Synagogues become the heart of Jewish life.
FSometime after 586 BCE
The first synagogues
No one knows the exact year. Many historians think the idea began with Jewish families in Babylon, meeting in small groups wherever they could.
G1887
Eldridge Street Synagogue, New York
Jewish families who came to America build a large, beautiful synagogue in New York City. It still welcomes visitors.
H516 BCE
The Second Temple is built
Many Jewish families come back to Jerusalem. They rebuild the Temple in the same place. It will stand for almost 600 years.
I1763
Touro Synagogue, Newport
Jewish families build a synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States.
oldest
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
newest