Our History
Congregation Ahavath Chesed, the first Jewish congregation in Jacksonville and the second in the state, received its formal charter in 1882. For more than 140 years, the Temple - as we became known - has been the heart of Reform Jewish life in Northeast Florida. As the Jewish community moved from downtown to Riverside to Avondale to Beauclerc/Mandarin, the Temple followed. Our current campus on San Jose Boulevard was consecrated in 1979, and we’ve been worshipping, learning, and growing here ever since.
Remembering Historic Leaders
Rabbi Israel Kaplan became our rabbi in 1916 and helped launch the community’s first Interfaith Thanksgiving Service the following year; it continues today as a beloved community event.
Our next rabbi, Rabbi Sidney Lefkowitz, led the first Jewish services on German soil following the Nazi occupation in 1944.
Our congregation celebrated with the first LGBTQ couple to be married in a synagogue in Jacksonville with Rabbi Joshua Leif.
Preserving our history – Temple Archives
The Temple maintains a permanent archive of its extraordinary history. Publications, photographs and artifacts that capture the life of the congregation are available for viewing upon request.
Temple’s 140th anniversary Video Tribute
Experience the history of our congregation through this 2023 tribute to our 140-year legacy.
8727 San Jose Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32217 P: (904) 733-7078
F: (904) 448-9285 Mon-Thu: 9am-5pm
Fri: 9am-4pm