The Temple Israel congregation has a long and interesting history in Columbus, Georgia dating back to 1854, when twenty Jewish families came together to form Temple B'nai Israel. They had been meeting in private homes when the group established a sanctuary and school in a building at the northeast corner of 10th Street and 5th Avenue. In October of 1859, the congregation bought a house on the corner of 10th Street and 4th Avenue, which it furnished as a synagogue accommodating 100 people. For almost a century it occupied the same site in downtown Columbus.

A parcel of land given to the congregation by the city for the construction of a Temple on Chapel Street was never used. In June of 1866 it was decided to build a new Temple at the 10th Street-4th Avenue site. The house being used was then moved to a new site. The new Temple, begun in October 1886, was dedicated September 2, 1887. A banquet and dance to celebrate was held at the Rankin Hotel with several hundred guests attending.

In 1907, fire destroyed the interior of the Temple, along with historical records. The Temple was rebuilt and remodeled, including moving the choir loft and organ.

On January 28, 1955, Temple Israel celebrated a double "Simcha"; its 100th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the ordination of its Rabbi, with many honored guests attending. In March of 1956, under the leadership of President Albert M. Wise, the membership approved purchase of the Wildwood Avenue site and the sale of the downtown building. Ground was broken for the new Sanctuary in March 1957 and dedicated in March 1958. The stately old building downtown was sold and demolished in 1958 when the congregation moved into the new Temple on Wildwood Avenue.

The Jewish Ladies Aid Society in Columbus was founded on July 5, 1874, by the Ladies Purim Association. These women decided to broaden their societies' focus to include charity and benevolence within the Jewish community and throughout the city of Columbus. Originally named the "Daughters of Israel", the name has changed over the years, becoming the Hebrew Benevolent Society before finally becoming the Jewish Ladies Aid Society. The Columbus Society orchestrated the establishment of the Milk Fund in 1924, donating milk to needy children. The Jewish Ladies Aid celebrated 100 years of service in 1974. Rabbi Goodman called them "an arm of the Temple". Among other projects they have been involved with are the Blind Fund and the Educational Fund. Their works have known neither race, creed, nor color.

The Columbus chapter of Hadassah had been organized twice in the 1930's but was dissolved both times. In the fall of 1944 two young women, newcomers to the community, began discussing the possibility of organizing Hadassah, which was involved in the plight of European Jews . A chapter was formed in 1945 with 40 women signing up. Hadassah sold more war bonds than any other organization in the community. By the 1960's, particularly after the 1967 war, Hadassah leadership was held by young women who brought new ideas and fresh enthusiasm and increased the membership. This brought in many women of the reform congregation who had not been willing to join in previous years. Columbus Jewry became more united in spirit and fellowship.