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Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue

Coordinates: 33°28′14″N 81°57′41″W / 33.47043°N 81.96136°W / 33.47043; -81.96136
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Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue
The Historic Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Augusta, Georgia
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Location
Location525 Telfair Street,
Augusta, Georgia,
United States
Architecture
StyleGreek Revival
Completed1869
Designated as NHL
Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue is located in Georgia
Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue
Location in Georgia
Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue is located in the United States
Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue
Location in United States
Coordinates33°28′14″N 81°57′41″W / 33.47043°N 81.96136°W / 33.47043; -81.96136
Part ofAugusta Downtown Historic District (ID04000515)
Designated CPJune 11, 2004
Website
augustajewishmuseum.org

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

References

  1. ^ McCord, Susan (June 2, 2015). "Augusta Commission votes to save two historic buildings". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  2. ^ "2014 — Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue". Historic Augusta, Inc. Historic Augusta, Inc. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Riverwalk and Historic Downtown District". Historic Augusta, Inc. Historic Augusta, Inc. Retrieved 26 June 2019.