Qahal

The word Kehillah and in Ashkenazi pronunciation kehilloh ( קהלה, Hebrew for community, also Kahal ) refers to a Jewish community. In the ideal sense, so is the "holy church" ( kehillah kedoschah ) for the holding of religious services in towns and smaller settlements meant.

A Kehillah is responsible among other things for today: the organization of mikveh ( ritual bath ), chamber ( rental company) kashrut ( Jewish dietary laws monitored by Mashgiach ) and Chevra Kadisha ( Burial Society ), and for relations with the non- Jewish communities in the cities.

History

In particular, after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD, the self-governing Jewish communities in the Diaspora has become increasingly important. From Late Antiquity to the European Middle Ages, increasingly lived as Jews in the Christian and Islamic sphere of influence in cities, led Jewish communities still an ethical, social, historical and intellectual life of their own. The municipalities acted as self-contained communities with voluntary jurisdiction ( in litigation with each other ) as well as the traditional, derived already from the Vorantike Jewish social, educational, sick and poor care. Previously it was for the Kehillah also to levy the taxes that were imposed specifically Jews.

Jewish communities in European cities typically have one or more of these communal organizations with one or more synagogues as the center. Can be Affiliated schools, hospitals and orphanages, even Zionist organizations and educational works, Jewish boarding schools and training centers and rabbinical schools or Jewish schools.