The bema is where the Torah is read in the synagogue, which all adult men are entitled to do. A quorum (minjan) of at least 10 men must be present in order for a service to proceed.
The bema in the old synagogue in Cracow, colour photograph, 2005, photographer: Merlin; source: Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poland_Krak%C3%B3w_-_Old_Synagogue_with_bima.jpg?uselang=de.
Creative Commons-Lizenz Namensnennung-Weitergabe unter gleichen Bedingungen 3.0 Unported.