What Was the Purpose of a First-Century Synagogue?

Bloch offers the following insight from archaeology:

"Archaeologists have uncovered an inscription from a synagogue outside the walls of Jerusalem.  The inscription gave the following description of the synagogue's functions:  'The reading of the Torah, the learning of the mitzvot, an inn and rooms and water vessels to accommodate the needs of strangers from afar.'  The synagogue dated from the Temple era," (pg. 67 of The Biblical and HIstorical Background of Jewish Customs and Ceremonies by Abraham Bloch).