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Jewish Community Contributions to the CSRA
The CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) is the region located around and named after the Savannah River which forms the border between Augusta Georgia and Aiken South Carolina and includes such towns as Williston, Edgefield, North Augusta, Waynesboro, Thomson, and more. The CSRA Jews have contributed much and continue to do so in our area in many fields. While many families have lived here for four and five generations, others have enriched the community by settling in the area. Although some have had to overcome obstacles to education via discrimination and quotas, many have become attorneys and judges; politicians; medical professionals; educators at all levels; business professionals such as merchants, mill owners, and accountants; and literary, visual, and performing artists; and so much more. Some are featured in the Virtual Museum; many more stories are available in the physical building at The Augusta Jewish Museum opening in early 2024.
Do You Know?
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The Augusta Jewish Museum has many more stories to tell.
Please come see us when the AJM opens in Summer 2023.
Jews Came from All Over the World
to Serve the CSRA Community
Some Livelihoods of the
CSRA Jewish Community
The first generation of immigrants understood that it would take time and effort to learn a new language and establish themselves in their new country. Meanwhile, they sought ways to earn their daily bread.
The World of Business
In the early 1800's Jewish immigrants found that even with limited English skills, they could earn their livings as itinerant peddlers. As they became successful, they learned English and understood the American culture, they established retail stores in small towns and cities — and became part of a community.
From the 1840's until today, Jewish merchants have served customers on Broad Street and elsewhere around town. Ruben's Department Store at 914 Broad Street in Augusta, founded in 1898, is one of the oldest continuous operating stores in the United States. The Bee Hive at 972 Broad St., owned by the Abe Cohen family, clothed many a child. Sidney's Uniforms in the 400 block is in an original Jewish Community Center building. Sometimes children followed their parents into family businesses and continue to this day, contributing to the economy of the CSRA. Other businesses have come and gone. A few enterprises, such as Friedman's Jewelers, Weinberger Furniture, and Augusta Sportswear, began as family businesses. Customers came from all over to Julia's Dress Shop in Aiken. Dolin's Store served Waynesboro and the late owner Martin Dolin was Mayor of Waynesboro.
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Professions
Some sons and daughters of the early Augusta and CSRA families pursued other professions besides merchants. New Jewish families continue to come to Augusta, attracted by the various enterprises in the community. Some stationed at Fort Gordon chose to make Augusta their home after completing their tours of duty. Physicians and other health professionals were recruited by both the Augusta University Health/Medical College of Georgia and the growing private care sector. Jewish physicians have been well represented in both private practice and academic medicine -- the "town" and the "gown" sectors of medicine -- as well as in such organizations as the Richmond-County Medical Society.
Scientists brought to the area by the Savannah River Site in South Carolina often chose to live in the CSRA because of its vibrant Jewish community. Attorneys set up offices and some entered public service such as Irene Krugman Rudnick (died in 2019 at age 89) of Aiken who was the first Jewish woman elected to the SC State Legislature. Educators are in elementary and secondary schools and universities. Many Jews participate in the CSRA Arts Community as performing, literary, and visual artists or as spectators. The Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society honors the late Harry Jacobs (died 2001) past conductor of the Augusta Symphony. Beth Bolgla's work hangs in the Morris Museum of Art.
Click on a photo to view the slideshow.
To learn more about Jewish contributions,
visit the Augusta Jewish Museum at 525 Telfair Street, opening in Summer 2024.
CSRA Jewish CommUNITY
Over a Century of Providing Friendship, Affiliation, and Good Fun
Although the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) in Augusta was incorporated in 1927, the communal organization traces its history back to 1854. Now known as the Augusta Jewish Community Center (AJCC) since the mid 1950’s, it is recognized by the National Association of Jewish Community Centers of America as the second oldest such organization in the US, second only to Baltimore.
The first mention of a Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) in a publication was in January of 1857 in the “American Israelite” newspaper. The various Jewish community organizations in Augusta have had several names including the Hebrew Social Club, the Hebrew Benevolent Society, and the Standard Club (many Jewish social organizations at that time adopted neutral names including Standard and Progressive, for example)
The story is continued after the slideshow
Click on a photo to view the slideshow.
In 1891 the Hebrew Social Club met at 558 Broad Street. Today this address includes Sidney’s Department Store, and Steven Fishman is the third generation to operate the business at this location. There were several other properties rented on Broad Street including part of the Montgomery building which is now the Miller Theater. In 1927 the organization was officially incorporated as the YMHA and by 1935 a building was proudly dedicated at 1234-36-38 Greene Street (current location of the UA Local 150 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union). During WWII this site was used by the USO for Jewish Soldiers stationed at Camp Gordon. In 1953, the Sibley Road facility known as the Augusta Jewish Community Center (AJCC) was opened. The community enjoyed a large swimming pool and swim team, recreational facilities, versatile programs for all ages, and day camps.
In 1998, the Augusta Jewish Community Center (YMHA) opened a facility on Weinberger Way at Marks Park in the Evans Columbia County area. In 2022, the AJCC merged with the Augusta Jewish Federation and is now known as JCCFA - Jewish Community Center and Federation of Augusta which serves the CSRA from offices at 209 Pitcarin Way, Augusta, GA 30909.
Jewish Settlement in the CSRA
Happyville Jewish Community (near Aiken SC) (1905-1908)
Jewish Settlement in the CSRA began with Isaac Henricks in 1802 but settlers scattered around the area in towns such as Aiken, Edgefield, Langley, North Augusta, Williston, Waynesboro, Augusta, and Thomson. One of these short-lived settlements was named Happyville near Aiken SC:
Charles Weintraub and Morris Letterman purchased Sheffield Plantation in Montmorenci near Aiken and ten Jewish families moved there in December 1905, determined to establish a successful farming colony. The charter for their “Incorporative Farming Association,” sponsored by the US Dept of Agriculture and Immigration, was popularly known as “Happyville,” and the settlers declared their intention to raise stock, grow cotton, fruits, and vegetables, gin cotton, cut timber, saw lumber, and grind grain. Fifteen more Jews joined the original group in early 1906. The colony faced insurmountable challenges including bad weather, insufficient funds, and land unsuitable for farming. By July 1908, they had sold the land to the Surasky family and dispersed. Members of the Surasky family still reside in Aiken County.
Click this link to hear the Happyville Jewish Community story at
https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/post/h-happyville-0
http://americanjewisharchives.org/publications/journal/PDF/1978_30_01_00_shankman.pdf
The Augusta Jewish Museum has many more stories to tell.
Please come see us when the AJM opens in Summer 2024.