In 1904, when Madison's total population numbered 30,000, eighteen eastern European Jewish immigrants founded Congregation Agudas Achim Anshei Madison, which for a quarter of a century was to be the only synagogue in the city. The charter members included Edward Dubrov; Abe Felsher; Max Halperin; Barney Nathenson; Jacob Novick; Aaron Richman; Abe Sinagub; Albert, Alex, Isaac, Sam and Saul Sinaiko; and Abraham, David, Israel, Jake, Joseph and Moses Sweet.
The newly-formed congregation met for prayer at the houses of its members. Each member paid ten cents a week into a building fund, and in 1905, they acquired a lot on the corner of Mound and Park Streets at a cost of $800. The building itself measured 40 by 28 feet, and was patterned after a synagogue in Chicago. Building costs totaled more than $2,000. The first service in the new synagogue was held on Rosh Hashanah of 1906, and Aaron Richman was installed as the first president.
As the Jewish population in Madison grew, additional space for the congregation was needed. In 1912, forty more feet were added to the original building, doubling its size, at a cost of $3,000. The Talmud Torah (religious school) was established in 1918, but did not become part of the congregation until 1925. The Ladies' Auxiliary, originally known as Chava Schwester (Eve's Sisters), was organized in 1926 for the purpose of assisting the synagogue's fundraising activities and community projects.
In 1932, the synagogue dropped the “Anshei Madison” from its name to become Congregation Agudas Achim. Not until two years later was the synagogue served by a rabbi who had graduated from theological seminary. The same year, Agudas Achim acquired three lots at the corner of Mound Street and Randall Avenue. In 1937, an additional lot was purchased for $12,000. The congregation sold the building in 1949 and began construction of a new synagogue on the site purchased fifteen years earlier. The cornerstone was laid on October 30, 1949, and dedication services were conducted the following year. The name of the congregation was changed to the Beth Israel Center. Emanuel Simon served as its first president.
