Agudas Achim is a Conservativesynagogue located in Bexley, Ohio, in the United States. It was established in Columbus in 1881, and by 1897 was no longer the only Orthodox synagogue in the city. Presently, Agudas shares Broad Street with three other synagogues - Ahavat Shalom, Temple Israel, and Tifereth Israel.
Overview
A well-known Agudas cemetery is located not too far from the synagogue, off Alum Creek Drive. Old Agudas Achim cemetery is still preserved.[1]
In September 2010, Rabbi Mitchell Levine was appointed Scholar in Residence in order to allow the synagogue to place greater emphasis on Jewish education for all ages. In June 2011, he joined Rabbi Melissa F. Crespy as a rabbi of the congregation. In January 2011, Agudas Achim became the first synagogue to appoint a full-time Environmental Scholar in Residence, Ariel Kohane, to its staff.
Affiliation
Originally Agudas came to Columbus as an Orthodox congregation.[2] According to the synagogue's website and the Columbus Jewish Federation, the congregation is Conservative.[3] The change in affiliation came after the congregation refused to comply with a responsum from the Orthodox Union calling for all Orthodox synagogues to put up a mechitzah.[4]
^Lagnado, Lucette (March 27, 2007). "Prayer Behind the Partition". Wall Street Journal. Congregation Agudas Achim, in Columbus, Ohio, thought of itself as Orthodox, yet didn't have a mehitzah. When confronted on the issue by the OU it engaged in a passionate debate, according to its rabbi, Jason Miller, and ultimately refused to put in a divider. It even switched to the Conservative movement. These days, says Rabbi Miller, the thriving Agudas Achim is '100% egalitarian.'
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