Community

Community

We are committed to build an inclusive Jewish community in Aiken that meets the needs of our congregants – while at the same time engaging with and contributing to the broader Aiken community to assure our town maintains the character of tolerance and inclusiveness that makes it an attractive place to live for all of us.

Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood

The sisterhood of our congregation was founded in 1938 and provides social & educational activities for the benefit of its’ members and the synagogue. The group organizes oneg after services and at holiday parties & other events. Activities include a book club, movie nights and trips to local cultural institutions (e.g. Morris Museum).


For more information contact Linda Taylor at: lindaaiken@yahoo.org

Sons of Israel Cemetery

The first step to formalize a Jewish community in Aiken was taken in 1913 with the purchase of land for a Jewish burial ground. Since that time, the Sons of Israel cemetery has become the final resting place for approximately 200 members of our community.


Use the following link to view a listing of burial plots at the Sons of Israel Cemetery compiled by the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina.  (https://jhssc.org/sons-of-israel-cemetery/).


For more information on the Sons of Israel cemetery, please contact Morris Rudnick at: rudnickrudnick@bellsouth.net

Augusta Jewish Federation & Augusta Jewish Museum

Our Adath Yeshurun Synagogue in Aiken is affiliated with the Augusta Jewish Federation since the city of Aiken is situated in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) metro which includes Augusta. We participate in Federation events and are a contributing member of the new Augusta Jewish Museum in downtown Augusta.


For more information about the August Jewish Federation, visit: https://www.jewishaugusta.org/


For more information on the Augusta Jewish Museum, visit: https://www.augustajewishmuseum.org/

Carolina Small Congregations Initiative

Our Synagogue is part of a cohort of over 20 small congregations in North & South Carolina organized by the Jewish Community Legacy Project. This group works together to develop shared programming on topics of interest across member organizations. Our Synagogue helped plan the first of these programs – a two-part series on Antisemitism – that was held this past May. Representatives from the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federation of Charleston led the sessions which had over 100 attendees. Planning is underway for additional programming in 2023/24 on topics to be determined.


For more information on the JCLP, go to https://jclproject.org/

Aiken Interfaith Partners

Our Synagogue is a member of Aiken Interfaith Partners a collaboration among a range of local faith institutions that is affiliated with the umbrella organization Interfaith Partners of SC. Our group meets monthly to share perspectives on topics of interest and works together to promote interfaith understanding and harmony. Events include an Interfaith Open House (typically in January) where people can visit different houses of worship to meet congregants and learn about different religious practices. Also planned is a Thanksgiving Interfaith Concert where a range of faith groups will share a hymn and a reading from their practice that speaks to the universal theme of Thanksgiving.


For more information on Aiken Interfaith Partners, visit  https://www.facebook.com/aikeninterfaithpartners/

Civic & Educational Outreach

We are actively engaged with a variety of Aiken civic & educational institutions to build understanding and good will toward the local Jewish community. Our Centennial exhibit – A Source of Light – was well received by the community and has led to repeated requests to speak to civic and educational groups in Aiken. The message of tolerance & inclusion central to this story is something all Aiken residents can be proud of (whether Jewish or not) and we believe is important to share, especially at a time where there is too much hate and anger in the world.


Civic organizations where we have shared this story include Rotary, Aiken County Historical Society and Leadership Aiken County. Educational organizations where we have shared this story include USC Aiken and Aiken High School.

Persky Awards

The Synagogue gives out an award and scholarship each year to a deserving senior at Aiken High School & South Aiken High School. The award is given in the name of Nathan Perksy, the longest serving President of the Synagogue. Mr. Persky was President for 31 years during which time he led services and oversaw the religious training of children in the congregation. He was also an important local merchant who was active in a variety of local charitable causes and was a major supporter of Scouting (which reflected his passion for youth character development).

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