The Columbus Jewish Historical Society

The June 1954 confirmation class of Agudas Achim Congregation is assembled in front of the ark in the main sanctuary. From left to right, seated: David Goldfarb, Elaine Zeff, Marsha Schwartz, Arlene Coopersmith, Rita Lasky, Rosalie Tieman; and standing, left to right: Ronald Reich, Jeffrey Bender, Byron Kohn, Mrs. Harry Schwartz, Cantor P.H. Gellman, Rabbi S.W. Rubenstein, Abe Wolman, Mrs. S.W. Rubenstein, David Segel, Warren Udisky, Mrs. Gabriel Zisenwine, Mr. Harry Schwartz. The interior of this Orthodox synagogue was considered very modern when it was built in Bexley in 1950, replacing a synagogue built in 1909 in the “old neighborhood” at Washington Avenue and Donaldson Street just east of Downtown. The “new” Agudas Achim did not have a women’s balcony, and like a fair number of modern Orthodox congregations in the United States during the immediate postwar period, allowed men and women to sit together in the center aisles. The building, on East Broad Street at Roosevelt Avenue, still houses the congregation. The building was significantly remodeled in 1975 and again in 2003, and the congregation joined the Conservative movement in 2004.