A First–Second-Century Privat Synagogue on Top of Tel Rekhesh, Lower Galilee

On the summit of Tel Rekhesh in Eastern Lower Galilee, a Jewish farmstead is being excavated during the last five years. It is clearly dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. Last summer a large room, surrounded by lime stone ashlars benches was uncovered. It is a known type today of Second Temple period synagogues, known from few other sites in Israel. The importance of this discovery is in few elements: 1) it is the first synagogue of Rural Galilee in the Second Temple period. 2) it is an addition to the small number of Second Temple period known synagogues. 3) it could open a new "group" of "private" synagogues and give a new aspect on Jewish life at this period.