Final answer:
The correct definition of a synagogue is a Jewish place of worship and teaching, where the sacred Torah scrolls are kept and read, and which serves as a communal and educational center. Option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct definition of a synagogue is C. a Jewish place of worship and teaching.
A synagogue is not merely a house of worship; it also serves as a center for study, community gatherings, and religious instruction. The focal point of a synagogue is the Torah ark, where the sacred scrolls of the Torah are kept when not in use.
During services, these scrolls are brought to the bimah, a central platform where they are read. Synagogues are designed to facilitate the practices and rituals of Judaism, as exemplified by their separate seating for men and women, the prohibition of living quarters above, and the careful exclusion of animals and other unclean things.
Synagogues like the Altneushul in Prague have stood at the heart of Jewish communities for centuries, serving both religious and social functions.