Selma in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Temple Mishkan Israel
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, November 6, 2010
1. Temple Mishkan Israel Marker (Side A)
The earliest Jewish settlers came to Selma prior to the Civil War, some as early as the 1830’s. A group of Jewish citizens assembled as the Mishkan Israel Congregation and began meeting in private homes in 1867. The congregation was formally organized on July 10, 1870. In June of 1899, ground was broken for the temple, and the building was completed on December 20, 1899, Members of Mishkan Israel’s congregation were vital to the early economic growth of the city. Many of the stores and businesses that lined the streets of downtown Selma were once owned and operated by members of the Jewish community.Three Selma mayors, Simon Mass (1887-1889), Marcus Meyer (1895-1899), and Louis Banish (1915-1920) were members of this congregation, as were United States Congressman William Lehman and Assistant Secretary of Defense Marx Leva. Strongly represented in local government and city activities, members of the congregation have served as Water Commissioner, City Attorney, and on the City Council and Selma School Board. Temple Mishkan Israel endures as a monument to those and other Jewish citizens who have contributed to Selma’s civic, economic
this page online
Erected 2002 by Cahaba Trace Commission / Friends of Temple Mishkan Israel.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1899.
Location. 32° 24.733′ N, 87° 1.362′ W. Marker is in Selma, Alabama, in Dallas County. Marker is on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 503 Broad Street, Selma AL 36701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ware - Baker - Jones House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee - Bender - Butler House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Highlights of Selma History / William Rufus DeVane King 1786-1853 (approx. 0.2 miles away); VII In. Brooke Rifle (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Est. 1838 (approx. ¼ mile away); Mabry - Jones Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Votes for Women (approx. ¼ mile away); John Tyler Morgan House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selma.
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, November 6, 2010
2. Temple Mishkan Israel Marker (Side B)
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, November 6, 2010
3. Temple Mishkan Israel Marker
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, November 6, 2010
4. Temple Mishkan Israel
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,104 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 8, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
