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Synagogue
SIN-uh-gog
Definitions
1
Religion ยท Jewish
Common
A building or place of worship for Jewish religious services, prayer, and study. Typically depicted as a building with a domed roof and Star of David.
Used to represent Judaism, Jewish holidays, religious services, or Jewish identity in digital communication.
Going to ๐ for Rosh Hashanah services tonight!
Personal message
Our community ๐ is hosting a Hanukkah celebration next week.
Community announcement
Synagogues serve as community centers and houses of worship in Jewish communities worldwide, symbolizing both religious practice and cultural heritage.
2
Travel ยท Architecture
Less Common
Used to represent notable synagogue buildings as architectural landmarks or tourist destinations.
Often used in travel contexts to indicate visits to historic synagogues or Jewish quarters in cities.
Visited the beautiful ๐ in Prague today. The architecture is stunning!
Travel post
Historic synagogues are important cultural heritage sites in many European and Middle Eastern cities.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Added to Unicode 8.0 as part of religious building emoji set.
Growing recognition of need for diverse religious representation in emoji.
2018
Usage increased during Pittsburgh synagogue shooting as symbol of solidarity.
Tragic event prompted wider usage as symbol of support for Jewish community.
2020
Increased usage during pandemic as virtual synagogue services became common.
COVID-19 restrictions moved religious gatherings online.
Cultural Context
The synagogue emoji represents a central institution in Jewish religious and community life, where prayer services, study, and communal gatherings take place.
The emoji depicts a stylized synagogue with dome and Star of David, though actual synagogue architecture varies widely across regions and Jewish traditions.
Synagogues have historically been targets of antisemitic violence, giving this emoji additional significance as a symbol of resilience for Jewish communities.
The synagogue emoji is sometimes used in interfaith contexts alongside mosque and church emojis to represent religious diversity and inclusion.
Regional Variations
Israel
Used more frequently and with greater familiarity in Israeli digital communication.
United States
Commonly used in relation to Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox denominations of Judaism in the US.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more formally for community announcements and religious observances.
Gen_Z: Used casually in Jewish youth group chats, holiday greetings, and to express Jewish identity or heritage.
Older: Less frequently used, but appears in holiday greetings and community notifications.
Millennials: Commonly used for organizing religious events, expressing solidarity, or in travel posts about historic synagogues.
Common Combinations
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Jewish synagogue or Judaism more broadly.
Reinforces Jewish identity through combined religious symbols.
๐๐
Torah study or Jewish religious education.
Represents learning and study central to Jewish tradition.
๐๐
Jewish religious observance, particularly during Hanukkah.
Combines place of worship with menorah symbol.