With so many Jewish Organizations in our area, we encourage you to become part of our Community by simply visiting or contacting any of our Community Partners (below) for more information. In true Southern tradition, everyone will be made to feel truly welcome.
As you explore our Community, always feel free to express your thoughts and opinions. As the saying goes, ‘If you have two Jews together, you’ll be hearing three opinions.’
SERVING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
The Jewish Community of WNC makes a vital difference in Jewish lives in our area, providing a safety net of assistance with a full range of social services. Jewish Family Services of WNC (JFSWNC) is our lead Community Partner agency working with those in need. Their support work is always confidential: In the manner of Maimonides, neither the recipients nor the donors know of each other.
FACILITATING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Because we’re stronger together, we connect Jews from different generations and backgrounds to celebrate our shared history. Together, we’re building a vibrant sense of Community, giving people of all ages access to Jewish experiences — and to each other.
The Jewish Leadership Collaborative of WNC (JLC-WNC) is the Community Partner providing strategic oversight for the Jewish Community of WNC. This website, developed by the JLC-WNC expands the OneJewishAsheville website to include all of Western North Carolina.
Carolina Jews for Justice / West Chapter and the Lotte Myerson Tikkun Olam Committee of Beth HaTephila work to bring good deeds to our Community. The Community Relations Council, currently facilitated by the Jewish Community Center (JCC), works to combat anti-Semitism in our schools.
PROMOTING JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING
From schools to camps to synagogues, from Israel trips to cultural events, the Jewish Community of WNC is woven into the very fabric of everyday life here. Every community member, no matter their interests, affiliation, neighborhood, or orientation can find fun, inspiration and opportunities for growth — via formal and informal Jewish education experiences.
Our many Congregations and the Asheville Jewish Community Center (JCC) all work to promote our Jewish experience — as does the North Carolina Hillel, at our regional centers of Higher Learning. Both the University of North Carolina – Asheville (UNCA) and Appalachian State University (ASU) include centers dedicated to Jewish learning.
Our Community Partners
*Community Partner Organizations, please send any updates or corrections to Website Update.
With a love for Jewish life and an ardor for living Jewishly, The Chabad House provides social, educational, and religious opportunities in Asheville, NC. It’s a center for Jewish living and learning, open to everyone.
127 McDowell St, Asheville NC 28801
Phone: 828.505.0746
Email this PartnerAffiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, Agudas Israel Congregation was founded in 1922 and is the center of Jewish living in Henderson County.
505 Glasgow Lane, Hendersonville NC 28739
Phone: 828.693.9838
Email this PartnerA Reformed Congregation, located in Asheville NC, includes all aspects of worship, education, and cultural programs.
Website: http://www.bethhatephila.org
Phone: 828.505.0746
Congregation Beth Israel is Asheville’s only independent egalitarian Jewish community.
Located in Brevard, Brevard Jewish Community meets at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church
4 Brian Berg Drive, Brevard NC 28712
Phone: 828.884.7134
Mountain Synagogue is a non-profit Jewish congregation located in Franklin, North Carolina. It promotes Jewish heritage and traditions through religious services, education and cultural activities.
Services are held at 216 Roller Mill Rd, Franklin NC 28734 (Cyprian Social Hall)
Phone: 828-634-1312
Email this Partner
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Asheville promotes inclusivity and respect: Opposing anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in our schools and community.
WNC Jewish Federation works to harness the collective resources of the WNC Jewish community and direct them to the Jewish needs in the local community
JFS is a non-profit social services agency for individuals and families of all faiths with services that include mental health counseling, case management, the Elder Club Group, Respite Program, food pantry, and holiday meal delivery.
Volunteering opportunities available.
2 Doctors Park, Suite E,
417 Biltmore Ave. Asheville NC 28801Phone: 828.253.2900
The Asheville JCC strengthens Jewish identity, celebrates Jewish culture and builds inclusive community through a wide variety of programs for people from all backgrounds, at every stage of life.
Carolina Jews for Justice combines policy advocacy and grassroots education to organize a non-partisan Jewish voice for social justice, helping to create a just, fair and compassionate North Carolina.
You may contact CJJ West directly by emailing either Judy Leavitt or Frank Goldsmith
The Jewish Secular Community, an inclusive secular humanistic community, is located in Asheville NC. Valuing our Jewish cultural heritage through study, education, and social activities.
Phone: 828.585.5118
Email this PartnerWNC Jewish Burial Society (Chevra Kadisha) provides Shomrim and Tahara.
Created under the auspices of the Jewish Leadership Collaborative of Western North Carolina with local Community members, and under the guidance of Rabbi Wolf Alterman, Rabbi Justin Goldstein, Rabbi Batsheva Meiri, and Rabbi Shaya Susskind, you may find helpful information in this downloadable PDF:
2024 Revised Guide to Jewish Death and Mourning Customs in Western North Carolina
Please contact the funeral home listed in the guide before calling upon your congregation if affiliated, or if unaffiliated, you may contact either Chabad-Lubavitch of Western North Carolina or Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina.
The Center for Jewish Studies at UNC Asheville coordinates academic course offerings in Jewish Studies, hosts visiting scholars and performing artists, encourages & supports the activities of Jewish students at UNC Asheville, and assists with the development and maintenance of archival materials on Jewish life in Western North Carolina.
208 Karpen Hall, CPO 2175
One University Heights, Asheville NC 28804The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies seeks to strengthen tolerance, understanding, and remembrance by increasing knowledge of Jewish culture and history, teaching the history and meaning of the Holocaust, utilizing these experiences to explore peaceful avenues for human improvement and the prevention of further genocides.
P.O. Box 32146, Edwin Duncan Room 118
Appalachian State University, Boone NC 28608Phone: 828.262.2311
Jewish Farmer Network supports the economic, social, and cultural vibrancy of Jewish agriculture by connecting Jewish farmers to resources and to community around the world.
Yesod Farm+Kitchen is a community space dedicated to regenerative agriculture, earth-based Jewish living, and growing relationships across differences.
Hear Our Stories.
Discover the stories that make our WNC Community so unique, at our YouTube channel.
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