Synagogue Tour Schedule for St. Augustine History Festival:
Wednesday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 8, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Don’t miss our author’s talk: The Oldest City’s Oldest Synagogue
First Congregation Sons of Israel has been worshipping in the same synagogue building for 100 years. To commemorate the community’s centennial year, congregant Robert Blau published a book on the origins of the local Jewish community, and will do a presentation and book signing as part of this year’s St. Augustine History Festival.
Date: Sunday, May 11
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Place: The Synagogue’s sanctuary, 161 Cordova Street.
Books will be available for purchase at the discounted price of $10.00 each. Otherwise the book is available at Barnes and Noble online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-oldest-citys-oldest-synagogue-robert-blau/1143885992 Proceeds from the sale go to the synagogue.
First Congregation Sons of Israel is the oldest Synagogue in “The Nation’s Oldest City,” St. Augustine, Florida. Located in the beautiful historic district at 161 Cordova Street, we are a conservative, egalitarian congregation. Sabbath services are conducted each week. All holidays are observed in the appropriate manner, such as our community Seder at Passover.
Our central pillars of observance are the Sabbath Services with an Oneg Shabbat following the Friday Erev Shabbat Service, and a Kiddush lunch following Shabbat Service on Saturday morning. Our High Holy Days services convey a very special warmth and spirituality.
Our history in St. Augustine is long and storied. In the late 1800s, the congregation’s first families came from Russia and Eastern Europe to settle in St. Augustine. In 1908, the congregation was chartered with the State of Florida – religious services were held in members’ homes until a Synagogue was constructed. Under the leadership of Rabbi Jacob Tarlinsky and his wife, Dora, the Synagogue was dedicated in 1923, with the completion and first service on March 30, 1924. In 1958, the beautiful historic stained-glass windows were obtained and installed in the sanctuary by Rabbi Jacob and Mrs. Dora Tarlinsky’s three daughters (Sarah Bernstein, Florence Feiden, and Lena Lichter). In the summer of 2013, the windows underwent a much-needed restoration. This was done by Ken Hardeman, the great-grandson of the original window artist. In late August of 2018, the sanctuary was reopened after restoration and repairs of damage from two hurricanes were completed.
Please join us for Shabbat Services:
Friday 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m.
No Shabbat Mincha