In ancient Judaism, an archisynagogue (Greek ἀρχισυνάγωγος; Hebrew ראש הכנסת; lit.
[2] The distinctive function of the archisynagogue was to select suitable men for the reading of the Law, the reciting of prayers, and for preaching; since in ancient times the synagogue did not have regularly appointed officers for the performance of these duties.
From the Jerusalem Talmud,[3] it further appears that in cases of necessity the archisynagogue of a community had to act as its reader.
In consonance with the nature of his office, the archisynagogue was chosen for his piety and good moral character, while in the case of an archon the essential requirements were social position and influence.
This explains why the title "archisynagogue" was sometimes attached to the names of the wife and the children, as found on some Greek inscriptions.