Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue
| Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue | |
|---|---|
 The Historic Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Augusta, Georgia | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Location | |
| Location | 525 Telfair Street, Augusta, Georgia, United States |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| Completed | 1869 |
| Designated as NHL | |
  Location in Georgia | |
| Coordinates | 33°28′14″N 81°57′41″W / 33.47043°N 81.96136°WCoordinates: 33°28′14″N 81°57′41″W / 33.47043°N 81.96136°W |
| Part of | Augusta Downtown Historic District (ID04000515) |
| Designated CP | June 11, 2004 |
| Website | |
| augustajewishmuseum | |
Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Augusta, Georgia, is the oldest standing synagogue in Georgia.[1] Dedicated in 1869, it is a rare example of a Greek-style synagogue.[2] The synagogue is a contributing property of the Augusta Downtown Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Restoration Efforts[]
In 2015, the City of Augusta had proposed demolishing the Synagogue and the neighboring former Court of Ordinary building with plans to develop more parking for the Municipal Building located next door to the Synagogue.
Soon after the proposal went public, the local Jewish community in Augusta, led by local historian Jack Steinberg, as well as many other citizens concerned about the proposed demolition worked to form a coalition working towards the goal of saving the structures as well as restoring them to become the home of a new Augusta Jewish Museum.
The efforts convinced local leaders to ditch the plans for demolition and after that announcement, a new partnership between Historic Augusta and the local Jewish community was formed with plans for the restoration of the building.
In July 2021, the construction was completed on the Court of the Ordinary building. A dedication ceremony was held for the building commemorating the official opening of Phase One of the project which included attendees from local government leaders to representatives from the Jewish community and Historic Augusta as well.
The Augusta Jewish Museum now reflects on the history of the Jewish community in the Augusta area and includes exhibits on the Holocaust and Israel.
See also[]
- Jewish history in Colonial America
References[]
- ^ McCord, Susan (June 2, 2015). "Augusta Commission votes to save two historic buildings". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
- ^ "2014 — Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue". Historic Augusta, Inc. Historic Augusta, Inc. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Riverwalk and Historic Downtown District". Historic Augusta, Inc. Historic Augusta, Inc. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
External links[]
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- Religious organizations established in 1869
- Jewish museums in the United States
- Synagogues on the National Register of Historic Places in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Greek Revival architecture in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Greek Revival synagogues
- Synagogues in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Reform synagogues in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Sephardi Jewish culture in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places in Richmond County, Georgia
- 1869 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
- United States synagogue stubs