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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
What The Jews Are Doing In Birmingham
By BERNIE FELD and [.EON LEVINE
Jewish activities in Birmingham center around the three con
egations, Emanu-El, Beth-El, and Knesseth-Israel. Of the three,
mple Emanu-El is the oldest having been founded in 1882;
\nesseth Israel in 1890; and Beth-El in 1907. It was not until
i i26, however, that Beth-El Temple, one of the most striking
its architecture of any building in the city, was built.
During the early years of its existence, Temple Emanu-El had
many rabbis. Among the first of these were the
R. verend Maurice Isenberg and his successor,
Dr. David Marks of Atlanta. Since 1895, how-
urn, one rabbi, Dr. Morris Newfield, has occu
pied the pulpit.
The second congregation, chronologically
speaking, was organized around the year 1890
and was known as Knesseth Israel. Under the
able guidance of its leaders, the temple has
steadily grown. Each member in his turn takes
charge of the service. At present, Mr. S. Sewel-
>vitz is president of the congregation. Besides
his congrega-
OR. morris NEWFIELI)
Temple Emanu-EI
tional work,
Mr. Sewelovitz
has been very
successful in
organizing the
B i rmingham
Free Loan As
sociation. The
purpose of this
organization is
to lend money
to needy Jew
ish individuals.
The money of
the association
is raised from subscriptions of
its members.
Beth-El, the youngest of the
three congregations, was organ
ized in 1907. At first a small
group would meet for prayer at
a house on the north side of
town. Together with the moving
of several prominent members
to South Birmingham, the in
creased attendance on Sabbath
a me the need for a temple. Incidentally, under the leadership of
•E’ ; M. Roseman, president of the congregation and Mr. M. Gold
stein, secretary of the Board of Directors, the first work toward
ne accomplishment of this huge undertaking was begun. The
ndest hopes of all members were realized when the magnificent
new building opened in May, 1926.
1 he past year has been a good one for Temple Emanu-El. The
work of the Sisterhood, headed by Mrs. Herman Rich, has been
particularly notable. The Sisterhood has given a scholarship to
Hebrew Union College for a number of years; and this summer
has again sent a Jewish boy to Camp Osceola. At an open
meeting to which the Birmingham Council of one hundred Fed-
1 ated Clubs was invited, a play, “The Unknown Soldier Speaks,
was so well presented by the Sisterhood that it was given in
everal other churches. The play was given in co-operation with
ne Council of Jewish Women, president of which is Miss Bernice
Meyer. It was considered quite successful as an influence in the
wement toward pacifism.
1 he Sisterhood is also in charge of the Temple. The organ is
ve Pt in repair and a volunteer choir is heard each Saturday morn-
It has charge of all decorating. Besides this, the Sisterhood
osters Religious Education and each year gives several children’s
Parties and teas.
Mr. Philip Oster, President of the Brotherhood, says that plans
have been made for a study circle next year. Prominent speakers
from all over the country will be brought to Birmingham and
Jewish activities all over the world will be discussed.
Temple Beth-El has likewise enjoyed an active year. Probably
the most outstanding event of the year was the arrival of Dr.
Abraham Bengis, the new rabbi. He came last September. Under
the new rabbi’s enthusiastic efforts, the membership has steadily
increased until now the congregation numbers
1100. It is indeed worthy of mention that of these
.‘100, an average of 200 attended Friday night
service throughout the year.
Another outstanding feature of the work
going on at Beth-El is the Sabbath School. The
attendance has become so large that the temple,
in addition to adjacent buildings, is used for
classrooms. An excellent staff of teachers con
duct progressive courses in the history of re
ligion. At the end of each session assembly is
held where programs are presented by various
teachers. The
MRS. HERMAN RICH
President
Sisterhood Temple Emanu-El
BENJAMIN A. ROTH
Executive Director Y. M. H. A.
singing of Yid
dish and He
brew songs has
been very suc
cessfully spon
sored by Dr.
Bengis. The
success of the
Sunday School
may, in a large
measure, be at
tributed to the
leadership of
Dr. Bengis. In
addition to the
Sunday School, the Hebrew
School, a group of about fifty
boys and girls, is conducted by
the rabbi. These boys and girls
form the nucleus of the Junior
Congregation, the president of
which is Hyman Miller. This
group conducts one Friday
night service each year.
Another younger organiza
tion is the Young People’s
League. With Jake Sarasohn in charge, this organization does
all the ushering in temple. They are prepared at any time to
conduct services should Rabbi Bengis be absent.
The Sisterhood has charge of the temple. They help the con
gregation with a monthly gift of $100.00. Together with the
Hadassah, the Sisterhood sponsors a women’s Jewish study
circle. Classes are held and lectures are given in turn by Dr.
Bengis, Mr. I. Sperling and Mr. P. Birnbaum. Here various
phases of Jewish life, problems and activity are discussed.
Another important center of Jewish life in Birmingham is
the Young Men’s Hebrew Association, an organization which is
going steadily forward under the direction of Mr. B. A. Roth.
The Y. M. H. A. presents interesting cultural, social and athletic
programs, and it has distinguished itself in each field.
Weekly gymnasium classes are offered to boys and men of all
ages. Contests are held regularly between teams representing
the various social clubs within or closely connected with the
“Y”. In addition to this, a basketball team represents the
organization in local and foreign competition each winter. The
teams of Coach A1 Simons have become known throughout the
South and last year the local aggregation was runner-up to the
Big Five champions. This Big Five is a group of two college
teams and three other teams. Although athletics play a large
part in “Y” activities, cultural and (Please turn to page 42)