Temple B'nai Sholom (Huntsville, Alabama)
Historic Reform synagogue in Huntsville, Alabama, US From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Temple B'nai Sholom (transliterated from Hebrew as "Sons of Peace"[2]) is an historic Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 103 Lincoln Street SE, in Huntsville, Alabama, in the United States. Founded as a congregation on July 30, 1876, the current synagogue building was dedicated on November 26, 1899. It is the oldest synagogue building in continuous use in the state.[3][4]
| Temple B'nai Sholom | |
|---|---|
 The synagogue building, in 2009 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi P.J. Schwartz |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 103 Lincoln Street SE, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 |
| Country | United States |
  Location in Huntsville, Alabama | |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°43′58″N 86°34′59″W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | R.H. Hunt |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Date established | 1876 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1899 |
| Website | |
| templebnaisholom | |
Temple B'nai Sholom | |
| Part of | Old Town Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000499 (original) 15000069 (increase) |
| Significant dates | |
| Boundary increase | March 17, 2015 |
| Designated CP | July 18, 1978 |
| Designated ARLH | July 29, 1977 |
| [1] | |
In its early years, the congregation struggled to furnish their rented room in time for the High Holidays in 1876. Members who fell behind on their dues were suspended and their names published in the nationally circulated American Israelite. Of the congregation's 32 founding members in 1876, only 15 were still contributing members by 1878; 11 had been suspended for failure to pay dues.[2]
The congregation hired its first full-time rabbi in 50 years in 1963. It has maintained full-time rabbinic leadership ever since.[5]
The brick building was designed by R.H. Hunt in the Romanesque Revival style and built between in 1898–1899.[4] The building was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on July 29, 1977;[6] and is a contributing property located within the Hunstville Old Town Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 18, 1978.[1] The building was extensively renovated in 1994.[4]
In February 2015, the congregation hosted "Wedding Week"[7] when same-sex marriages were first legalized in Alabama. Dozens of couples were married in the sanctuary. In March 2015, Temple B'nai Sholom Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar was named one of "America's Most Inspiring Rabbis" by the Jewish Daily Forward.[8]
In 2017, Temple B'nai Sholom opened the Jewish Heritage Center,[9] a permanent exhibit that shares the Jewish community's history and many contributions to Huntsville's cultural and civic life. Museum tours are available to the public.
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