Agudas Israel Congregation, the only synagogue in Henderson County, North Carolina, began its foundation in 1900, when Edward Lewis and his family settled in Hendersonville and opened a general mercantile business. Harry Patterson and family soon followed. Gradually his friends and relatives settled in Hendersonville and established businesses.

These emigrant families who chose to establish their homes in a small rural town instead of the big cities throughout America, brought with them their Jewish customs and observances. They began to hold services in each other’s homes on a rotating basis and later used the Masonic Temple.

By 1922, twenty-seven men and women decided to formalize their religious practices and charter a congregation, Agudas Israel Congregation. In 1925, they purchased an old electric company which they converted into a synagogue. The synagogue was expanded and remodeled in 1964. Having a permanent house of worship gave them a place to pray for their growing numbers and also provided legitimacy of their own faith to their gentile neighbors. Agudas Israel started as an Orthodox synagogue, but by the 1950’s, they began to embrace Conservative Judaism. In 1996, the Congregation chose to affiliate with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now called Union for Reform Judaism.

Once the sanctuary was completed, the founding fathers sought out spiritual leadership. Chaim Williamowsky, an ordained Orthodox rabbi from Lithuania, became the synagogue’s first rabbi and served from 1925 to 1930. Beryl Cohen, a graduate of Diskin Orphanage and Yeshiva Seminary in Jerusalem and congregant since his arrival in 1920, then began leading religious services, teaching Hebrew school and ritually slaughtering chickens as the local shochet. He faithfully served until his death in 1964. The need for a qualified person to conduct services was filled by traveling circuit rabbis and senior student rabbis from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

After much consideration and with a look towards the future, the Congregation decided to begin a major building campaign in 2000. Five acres were purchased in Laurel Park and the construction of a new synagogue was underway. Our new home at 505 Glasgow Lane was the beginning of expanded programming and enhanced worship services and our faithful commitment to grow and provide an enriched legacy for future generations.

Treasures of Agudas Israel Congregation booklet, created and designed by Dr. Judi Berson-Levinson, by clicking on: Treasures of Agudas Israel Booklet. This booklet is filled with great photos and information about the history of our synagogue.

Cantor Ted Labow is excited to be the spiritual leader of Agudas Israel Congregation, which prides itself on being engaging and welcoming. He shares Agudas Israel’s love of Judaism, Israel, and dedication to our members and the Hendersonville community. With his warmth and passion for learning, he brings new meaning and joy to Jewish practice at Agudas Israel.

Cantor Labow has a diverse background rooted in synagogues internationally. He has served as an educator and cantor in several congregations in Canada, the United States and recently, Australia. A native Canadian, he graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from York University (Ontario) in Jazz Piano and Composition and received his cantorial certification from the HUC/JIR Board on Cantorial Certification in 2005.

His musical and artistic skills deepen his spiritual leadership. He composes and arranges Jewish music, plays several instruments, and has sung operatic roles on stages in New York, Ontario, Philadelphia, Toronto and Italy among others. He is accomplished at Hebrew calligraphy, creates Judaic artwork and speaks several languages including Hebrew.  

2024-2025 Board of Trustees Officers/ Executive Committee

• President: Sue Kopel
• Vice-President: Jay Naparstek
• Treasurer: Gerry Holstein
• Secretary: Barbara Banadyga
• Immediate Past President: Richard Tanker

Trustees and Committee Chairs

• Trustees: Kish Jarmon, Lily Lloyd, Stuart Wechter, Nancy Weintraub, Debbie Zahler
• Ritual Committee Chair: Debbie Zahler
• Communications Chair: Kish Jarmon
• Building & Grounds Chair: Alan Cooper
• Caring Committee Chair: Susan Hassett
• Finance Chair: Bill Lavine
• Library Committee: Sandee Hartman, chair; Madeline Johnson, Karen Moore
• Logistics Coordinator: Randye Unsell
• Membership Co-Chairs: Jay Naparstek, Nancy Weintraub
• Security Scheduling: Adam Sheinsohn
• Security Training: Bill Lavine
• Brotherhood President: Dr. Jeff Lewis
• Sisterhood Past Co-Presidents: Kish Jarmon, Karen Murray
• Senior Scholar: Rabbi Philip Bentley