Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Temple Bnai Israel
1840s
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 2, 2019
1. Temple Bnai Israel Marker
Inscription.
Temple Bnai Israel. 1840s. Temple B'nai Israel, at this location, had its origin with the first Jewish settlers in Tuscumbia, AL, in the 1840s. These early settlers quickly became part of the community and were commercially successful. The 1870s and 1880s were periods of growth and prosperity in Sheffield, AL, when more Jewish families moved into the area. Among them was a developer and first Mayor of Sheffield, Alfred Moses. Sabbath services were initially observed in family homes before being temporarily moved to the Masonic Lodge in Florence. In 1906, Temple B'nai Israel was chartered, and in 1908 the first synagogue was completed in Atlanta Ave. in Sheffield. A part-time rabbi was then engaged, religious services were observed, and Jewish education for children was initiated. Members of the Shoals Jewish community served in all the major U.S. wars. Louis Goldstein, a Sheffield congregant killed in action, was among 19 from Colbert County who died during world war one and world war two professionally. As the industrial base grew, more Jewish families came into the Shoals. After world war two the Jewish community continued to grow, prompting the construction of a new synagogue at this Hawthorne Street location 1953. Throughout its history, congregants of Temple B'nai Israel has taken an active role in local and regional charities and in addressing the social and economic concerns of this area. Temple B'nai Israel has continued to provide a strong Jewish presence into the 21st century and its inclusive congregation remains very active and community-oriented.
Shalom
Temple B'nai Israel, at this location, had its origin with the first Jewish settlers in Tuscumbia, AL, in the 1840s.
These early settlers quickly became part of the community and were commercially successful. The 1870s and 1880s were periods of growth and prosperity in Sheffield, AL, when more Jewish families moved into the area.
Among them was a developer and first Mayor of Sheffield, Alfred Moses.
Sabbath services were initially observed in family homes before being temporarily moved to the Masonic Lodge in Florence. In 1906, Temple B'nai Israel was chartered, and in 1908 the first synagogue was completed in Atlanta Ave. in Sheffield.
A part-time rabbi was then engaged, religious services were observed, and Jewish education for children was initiated. Members of the Shoals Jewish community served in all the major U.S. wars. Louis Goldstein, a Sheffield congregant killed in action, was among 19 from Colbert County who died during WWI and WWII professionally. As the industrial base grew, more Jewish families came into the Shoals.
After WWII the Jewish community continued to grow, prompting the construction of a new synagogue at this Hawthorne Street location 1953. Throughout its history, congregants of Temple B'nai Israel has taken an active role in local and regional charities and in addressing the social and economic concerns of
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this area. Temple B'nai Israel has continued to provide a strong Jewish presence into the 21st century and its inclusive congregation remains very active and community-oriented.
Shalom
Erected 2018 by Florence Historical Board Florence Alabama.
Location. 34° 48.714′ N, 87° 40.641′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is at the intersection of E Hawthorne Street and Prospect Street, on the right when traveling west on E Hawthorne Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 E Hawthorne Street, Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama and in the Shoals. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
