http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbuncom/index.htm has general Buncombe County information. [September 2005]

Repository for records: http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/beth_ha/Default.html: Beth-Ha-Tephila Congregation 1891-1976 (M79.13.1-5 ; P79.13.1 ; OS79.13.1): In 1919 the Congregation [Beth Ha Tephila Section] debated the Conservative-Reform question again, but they voted to remain Reform, and the conservatives eventually split off to form their own Orthodox congregation called the Bikur Holim in 1898. An Orthodox congregation synagogue was built and just before High Holy Day Services in 1916, the building was set ablaze in one of Asheville's first anti-Semitic crimes. historical information about Congregation Beth-ha-Tephila include the Golden Book of Memoirs (M79.13.5, folder 5) and the 75th Anniversary Program (M79.13.5, folder 6) and Letters from Leo: World War II Correspondence to the Asheville Lions Club, Boone, NC: Center Appalachian Studies, 1997" [September 2005]

Riverside Cemetery: (Beth Ha Tephila Section): founded in 1890s.

UPDATE: "Congregation Beth-ha-Tephila, the first synagogue in Asheville, founded in 1891, was a Conservative congregation at its founding, now Reform. They met at the Lyceum Hall on Biltmore Avenue. Jewish cemetery property was purchased in 1902 at Riverside. 1902, a building was purchased at Spruce and Woodfin Streets for synagogue. 53 Birch Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, 828-350-2066  [September 2005]