Adath Yeshurun Synagogue

Front inscription

Aiken’s permanent Jewish community dates to 1890, when immigrants from Eastern Europe, many of them from Knyszyn, Poland, began to settle here. Adath Yeshurun Congregation (Congregation of Israel) held its first services in private homes or in the Masonic Hall. Several community leaders founded the Sons of Israel Cemetery, NW on Hampton Avenue, in 1913.

Reverse inscription

The “Congregation Adas Yeshurun” was chartered in 1921 with Meyer Harris, J.S. Poliakoff, M. Poliakoff, B.M. Surasky, and Jacob Wolf representing its members.This Classical Revival synagogue was built in 1925 and has been in continuous use since as both a place of worship and a Jewish community center. Members have been leaders in Aiken business, politics, and civic affairs for many years.