Our History

Remembering Historic Leaders

Rabbi Israel Kaplan became our rabbi in 1916 and helped launch the community’s first Interfaith Thanksgiving Service the following year; it continues today as a beloved event. Our next rabbi, Rabbi Sidney Lefkowitz, led the first Jewish services on German soil following the Nazi occupation. Our congregation celebrated with the first LGBTQ couple to be married in a synagogue in Jacksonville. And we hosted ‘A Vigil Against Hate’ for the entire community following the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue shooting in 2018.

True To Our Tradition

While originally Orthodox, Congregation Ahavath Chesed adopted values of the Reform Movement in the mid-1890’s. We are members of the Union for Reform Judaism, and we use ‘Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur’ for Shabbat services. Music has always been integral to our worship, and melodies both traditional and contemporary are ever-present.  Our students participate in the weekly Religious School, and we proudly celebrate their Consecration, B’nai Mitzvah, and Confirmation. Temple has had dedicated cemetery space in Jacksonville since the 1890’s and today primarily utilizes its property at Evergreen Cemetery and King David Cemetery. 

Preserving our history – Temple Archives

The Temple maintains a permanent archive of the extraordinary history of Congregation Ahavath Chesed.  Publications, photographs and artifacts that capture the life of the congregation are preserved next to the Wurn Family Library, and are available for viewing upon request. The colorful and comprehensive history of the Congregation’s first hundred years is included in the book, ‘That Ye May Remember, Temple Ahavath Chesed 1882-1992,’ copies of which are available on loan.