What word means synagogue?

Answer 1

Name Issues:

In Judaism, different terms for the Jewish House of Worship are used according to your tradition or where you come from. Therefore, it makes sense that each name has a different linguistic derivation. (The rules about who chooses which name are not set in stone.)

Synagogue comes from Greek: Since it was during the Roman Empire that Jews began forming small, communal worship centers, these were identified in the lingua franca: Koine Greek (Latin would not become dominant in the Middle East until much later). This term is still considered the most specific in English as "Temple" can refer to a Buddhist place of worship (in which a Jew could not pray on account of the idols). Jews who grew up only speaking English usually use the word "Synagogue".

Beit Knesset in Hebrew: In Hebrew it is called Beit Knesset (בית כנסת): a combination of the Beit Ha-Knesset (House of Assembly), Beit Ha-Midrash (House of Study), and Beit Ha-Tefillah (House of Prayer).

Schul from Yiddish: People who grew up around Yiddish speakers may call it a Schul (Yiddish). The Orthodox and Chasidim use this term as well. Unfortunately, "Schul" is unfamiliar to many Jews who didn't grow up around Yiddish speakers.

Temple from English: Many Reform Jews call it a "Temple". Many Conservative Jews also called it a Temple. Outside of the United States, the use of the word Temple is far less prevalent amongst any group. Temple can also be offensive or confusing since the Jewish Synagogue has little to do with the Great Temples of Jerusalem.

Sla3 from Judeo-Arabic: This term has almost become extinct as the Mizrahi Jewish community adopts Hebrew or English as its primary languages, but this word was used quite commonly, especially in Iraq. Ashkenazi Jews would be utterly confused by this word.