Multiple events are taking place this month focusing on Jewish history in the Augusta area.
The Congregation Children of Israel will celebrate its 175-plus anniversary March 12 with a special musical service at 7 p.m. It’s open to the community, and a dessert reception will follow.
The Congregation Children of Israel is located at 3005 Walton Way. The original synagogue was located on Telair Street and is the site of the current Augusta Jewish Museum
Ground was broken on the Walton Way Temple in 1950, and the building was dedicated in 1951, according to the temple website.
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On March 13, Ari Streisfeld will perform with the Aiken Symphony at 3 p.m. at Amentum Performing Arts Center, 125 Newberry St. S.W. in Aiken. Streisfeld is a Jewish violinist and music educator who is dedicated to the performance and preservation of Jewish Art Music. Tickets are $40 and are available at aikensymphonyorchestra.com.
The Augusta Jewish Museum’s Sunday Series will continue at 2 p.m. March 20 at the museum, 525 Telfair St.
A program is scheduled to focus on the history of the Jewish organizations in the area. Among the groups highlighted will be the Congregation Children of Israel, Adas Yeshurun Synagogue, Adath Yeshurun Synagogue and Sons of Israel Cemetery in Aiken, Chabad of Augusta, the Augusta Jewish Community Center/Augusta Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Services.
After the presentation, there will be a Judaica Pop-Up Shop and tour the historic buildings.
The event is free, but registration is required. To register visit augustajewishmuseum.org.
The Adath Yeshurun Synagogue is celebrating its centennial this year.
The Aiken County Museum has a special exhibit through May.
The “A Source of Light” exhibit “shares the story of the Aiken Jewish community from the mid-1800s to today, with a particular focus on the role and contribution of Jewish merchants and their families to civic life here in Aiken & beyond. The exhibit uses archival photos, newspaper articles/advertisements & other artifacts as well as via digital displays that allow a “deeper dive” into family histories and store locations/descriptions,” according to asourceoflight.org.
“There is also a self-guided walking tour of Jewish sites of interest in downtown Aiken. A brochure outlining this tour is available at the Museum and uses QR codes at each stop to link to information” on the Source of Light website.
