Congregation Agudas Achim (Austin, Texas)

Agudas Achim
Basic information
Location	7300 Hart Ln, Austin, Texas,  United States
Affiliation	Conservative Judaism
Status	Active
Website	http://www.caa-austin.org/
Architectural description
Architect(s)	David Lake
Completed	2001
Specifications
Materials	wood and limestone

Congregation Agudas Achim is a Conservative synagogue in Austin, Texas.

Agudas Achim (Community of Brothers) was founded in 1914 by a group of Orthodox Jews who met for prayer in private homes. It was chartered in 1924 and occupied leased space before erecting a brick synagogue at 909 San Jacinto. The Agudas Achim Cemetery in Austin Memorial Park on Hancock Road was purchased in 1933. The congregation joined the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1948.

The congregation moved to a new building on Bull Creek Road, dedicated on December 30, 1963. U.S. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was scheduled to the dedication, which was postponed while the congregation joined the nation in mourning the death of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. This is thought to have made the congregation the second American synagogue dedicated by a President. The first was the Washington Hebrew Congregation which has had cornerstones laid or buildings dedicated by Presidents McKinley, Truman and Eisenhower.^[1] The undistinguished mid-century modern brick and glass building was renovated and upgraded in 1989.^[1]

In 2001, the congregation dedicated a modern building designed by David Lake The wood and stone sanctuary is bathed in natural light that enters via a skylight. The rusticated limestone walls resemble Jerusalem stone (both visually and geologically) but the stone, like the members of the congregation, are "proudly Texan."^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} History, Synagogue website. Accessed March 27, 2009.
2. ^ Henry and Daniel Stoltzman, Synagogue Architecture in America, Images Publishing, Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia, pp. 236–9.