Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Adath Yeshurun Synagogue
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
1. Adath Yeshurun Synagogue Marker
Aikens 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.
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.
Erected 2014 by South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina. (Marker Number 2-55.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers, and
this page online
Location. 33° 33.847′ N, 81° 43.451′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is at the intersection of Greenville Street Northwest and Barnwell Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north on Greenville Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 154 Greenville St NW, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Aiken Preparatory School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Author Jeff Scott (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Aiken
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
2. Adath Yeshurun Synagogue Marker
Also see . . . Adath Yeshurun Synagogue. (Submitted on January 8, 2024.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
3. Adath Yeshurun Synagogue Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
4. Sons of Israel Cemetery
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
5. Sons of Israel Cemetery
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
6. Sons of Israel Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
