Augusta's Jewish community dedicates historical markers for downtown centers

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
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Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, center-right, Augusta Jewish Museum board President Jack Weinstein, center-left, and several community members dedicated historical markers for the old Telfair Street synagogue in a ceremony in the Augusta Municipal Building on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, center-right, Augusta Jewish Museum board President Jack Weinstein, center-left, and several community members dedicated historical markers for the old Telfair Street synagogue in a ceremony in the Augusta Municipal Building on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022.

Another step was taken Sunday to ensure Augustans remember and honor their local history and its ties to the Jewish faith.

Two historical markers were dedicated at the Augusta Municipal Building for the old Telfair Street synagogue and nearby Court of Ordinary, both of which are being used for the Augusta Jewish Museum project.

The synagogue was built in 1869 and is Georgia's oldest that is still standing. The court was built in 1860 as an early fireproof storage facility for Richmond County's records. The markers state both of these facts.

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What the public saw Sunday was just mock-ups of the markers as the museum was unable to receive the real ones on time due to bronze shortages. But that did not stop more than 50 community members from coming out and being part of the ceremony to honor these buildings' histories.

"It's been tremendous," said the museum's board President Jack Weinstein. "You worry in this time about the world and antisemitism, but the support has been great."

This is part of the first phase of a multi-phase project to restore the old buildings and turn them into sites for learning and celebrating Jewish culture as well as a community hub. Community volunteer Robyn Dudley explained how they are trying to create something similar to Sacred Heart Cultural Center.

Community volunteer Robyn Dudley takes community members on a tour of the old Telfair Street synagogue following a historic marker dedication by the Augusta Jewish Museum on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022.
Community volunteer Robyn Dudley takes community members on a tour of the old Telfair Street synagogue following a historic marker dedication by the Augusta Jewish Museum on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2022.

Will and Eva Adams of the local Congregation Children of Israel got a chance to see the synagogue for the first time Sunday following the dedication ceremony and are optimistic about its future.

"Things like this need to be preserved," Eva Adams said.

"It really helps with your sense of identity, to know that your people have been here for so long," Will Adams said.

Weinstein said this is a multi-million dollar project that they are working on and they always invite support from the community. Those interested in donating or taking the virtual tour of the museum can go to augustajewishmuseum.org.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Jewish Museum dedicates historical markers at downtown sites