Five Points South in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Attempted Bombing of Congregation Beth-El

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 11, 2023

1. The Attempted Bombing of Congregation Beth-El Marker

Inscription. Congregation Beth-El was founded in 1907 on Birmingham's north side. Its leadership came from Knesseth Israel, the city's Orthodox Jewish congregation. Beth-El was established as a modern. yet traditional congregation. Construction on the synagogue at this site began in 1926, with the addition of an education wing in 1952. By the 1950s, Beth-El was Alabama's largest Conservative Jewish congregation.

On Monday, April 28, 1958, a satchel containing 54 sticks of dynamite was placed along the eastern exterior of the synagogue's lower floor. The bomb failed before it could detonate. Had the bomb exploded, the blast would have demolished the building. Part of a series of unsolved antisemitic attacks against Jewish institutions in the South in the 1950s, the attempted bombing of Beth-El came amidst a plague of racial terror during Birmingham's modern Civil Rights era.

Although Congregation Beth-El received sympathy and support from across Birmingham and beyond, the crime remained unsolved. In the bombing's wake, reaction within the local Jewish community ranged from fear to a determination to confront bigotry and intolerance amidst the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

Erected 2022 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1958.

Location. 33° 29.999′ N, 86° 47.408′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in Five Points South. Marker is on 21st Way South south of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2179 Highland Ave, Birmingham AL 35205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Little Theater Clark Memorial Theatre Virginia Samford Theatre (approx. 0.3 miles away); Five Points South (approx. 0.3 miles away); Redmont Park Historic District (approx. half a mile away); Jordan Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Altamont Apartments (approx. 0.6 miles away); Birmingham Mineral Railroad Point of Curve Marker (approx. 0.6 miles away); Reading Red Mountain (approx. 0.6 miles away); Donnelly House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Also see . . . Counterblast: How the Atlanta Temple Bombing Strengthened the Civil Rights Cause

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 11, 2023

2. The Attempted Bombing of Congregation Beth-El Marker

The marker is on the east side of the temple, not far from where the bomb was placed.

. The attempted bombing of Temple Beth-El was part of a wave of similar attacks against Jewish buildings and institutions, mostly in the South, in the late 1950s. (Clive Webb, University of Sussex, published June 22, 2009) (Submitted on February 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Front of Temple Beth-El image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 11, 2023

3. Front of Temple Beth-El

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.