Augusta, GA, June 9, 2025—The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) dedicated a new historical marker in Augusta on June 8, 2025, about the Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue, the historical home of the city’s first Jewish congregation—one of the oldest in the state. The historical marker was dedicated in partnership with the Augusta Jewish Museum.
Founded in 1846, Congregation Children of Israel (CCI) emerged during a wave of Jewish immigration to the United States, when families from Central and Eastern Europe sought refuge and opportunity. CCI’s establishment played a pivotal role in shaping Jewish life in Augusta and across Georgia. Originally Orthodox, the congregation later embraced Reform Judaism. Today, the congregation remains active and worships at its modern home at 3005 Walton Way in Augusta.
“The story of Augusta’s first and longest-active Jewish congregation reflects the centuries-long story of Jewish immigration to the United States,” said Breana James, Historical Marker and Program Associate, Georgia Historical Society. “The Georgia Historical Society is excited to partner with the Augusta Jewish Museum to dedicate a historical marker that conveys such a significant part of our shared past as Georgians and Americans.”
The original synagogue, built in 1869 at 525 Telfair Street, still stands and now houses the Augusta Jewish Museum. As the oldest surviving synagogue building in Georgia, it is central to the museum’s mission to preserve and interpret the cultural, religious, and civic contributions of Jewish communities in the Greater Augusta Region and beyond. Through exhibitions, public programs, and the restoration of two historic buildings, the museum fosters education and dialogue around Jewish history, traditions, and contemporary topics.
"We are incredibly honored to receive a historical marker from the Georgia Historical Society for the original Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue,” said Angela Russo, Museum Manager, Augusta Jewish Museum. “The original mission of the Augusta Jewish Museum, founded in 2015, was to reclaim and restore the historic synagogue, and after ten years, with the support of many private and public institutions, we are so pleased to have not only saved the building, but also begun to revitalize it into a future cultural center."
Jack Weinstein, President, Augusta Jewish Museum, speaking at the historical marker dedication.
The marker dedication took place at the Augusta Jewish Museum. Speakers included Angela Russo, Museum Manager, Augusta Jewish Museum, who also delivered remarks on behalf of Jan Reeves, marker project researcher; Michael Scharff, Board Secretary, Congregation Children of Israel; Erick Montgomery, Executive Director, Historic Augusta, Inc.; Corey Rogers, Executive Director, Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center; Jack Weinstein, President, Augusta Jewish Museum; and Breana James, Historical Marker and Program Associate, Georgia Historical Society.
The marker text reads:
The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue
In 1846, Augusta-area Jews founded the city's first congregation, B'nai Israel, later Congregation Children of Israel (CCI), building its first synagogue here in 1869. Membership reflected Jewish migration to the United States, including Central and Eastern European Jews seeking to escape persecution to find economic opportunities and social freedoms. CCI was founded as Orthodox, representing traditional views, like other congregations across the US between 1860-1880, and later adopted the progressive practices of Reform Judaism to serve its diverse congregation. Jewish migration to Augusta increased until the federal 1924 Immigration Act limited Eastern European Jewish immigration. In 1951, CCI moved to a larger synagogue on Walton Way. The city used the original synagogue as offices until 2015. Now preserved, it is the oldest standing synagogue building in Georgia and operates as the Augusta Jewish Museum Cultural Center.
Erected by the Georgia Historical Society and the Augusta Jewish Museum
For more information about The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue historical marker dedication or the Georgia Historical Society marker program, please contact Breana James, Historical Marker and Program Associate, at 912.651.2125, ext. 122, or by email at bjames@georgiahistory.com.
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ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia and American history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.
To learn more visit georgiahistory.com.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM
The Georgia Historical Marker Program is an important part of the Georgia Historical Society’s (GHS) statewide educational mission. Through a public-private partnership with the State of Georgia, GHS is responsible for erecting new historical markers and maintaining more than 2,000 markers installed by the State prior to the program’s privatization in 1998. Online mapping tools allow users to explore themed marker trails and design custom driving routes. Visit georgiahistory.com for more ways to use Georgia’s historical markers and experience history where it happened.