Hebrew Benevolent Congregation
The Hebrew Benevolent society began as a group to help the Jewish poor and secure burial grounds and ceremonies for Jews in Atlanta. Nicknamed "The Temple" because of its centrality to Jewish community in Atlanta, the story began in 1867 when a visiting rabbi from Philadelphia came to the Atlanta Jewish community to preside over the marriage between Emilie Baer and Abraham Rosenfeld. Rabbi Isaac Leeser encouraged the community to start a proper congregation to support the growing population of Jewish people in and around Atlanta.
The charter was received the same year and in 1875, the building was erected to begin the enchanting history of Atlanta's first Jewish place of worship. As the congregation at The Temple was gaining footing, it was switched between Reform Judaism and more traditional ideals. However, the Jewish community of Atlanta staked its claim to leadership early on. One of the first Rabbis of The Temple, Edward Browne began a Southern Jewish newspaper called "The Jewish South", which had a short circulation throughout the region. The hiring of Rabbi Marx, when he was 24 years old in 1895, signaled a transition into the new role of The Temple and the Jewish community.
The movement of the Temple to its third location in 1931, represents the de-urbanization of Jewish communities in Atlanta, as well as other denominations, as they moved to the suburbs. The outward design of the building itself demonstrates the Jewish assimilation into American Southern society. There are classic Jewish icons juxtaposed with the designs of Philip Shutze, who was native Georgian architect.
Today, The Temple remains a center for Jewish community and leadership in Atlanta and in the South, with over 1,500 families in membership. The congregation has continued to tout principals of diversity and inclusion, and works to help all Jews have access to their Jewish life.
The charter was received the same year and in 1875, the building was erected to begin the enchanting history of Atlanta's first Jewish place of worship. As the congregation at The Temple was gaining footing, it was switched between Reform Judaism and more traditional ideals. However, the Jewish community of Atlanta staked its claim to leadership early on. One of the first Rabbis of The Temple, Edward Browne began a Southern Jewish newspaper called "The Jewish South", which had a short circulation throughout the region. The hiring of Rabbi Marx, when he was 24 years old in 1895, signaled a transition into the new role of The Temple and the Jewish community.
The movement of the Temple to its third location in 1931, represents the de-urbanization of Jewish communities in Atlanta, as well as other denominations, as they moved to the suburbs. The outward design of the building itself demonstrates the Jewish assimilation into American Southern society. There are classic Jewish icons juxtaposed with the designs of Philip Shutze, who was native Georgian architect.
Today, The Temple remains a center for Jewish community and leadership in Atlanta and in the South, with over 1,500 families in membership. The congregation has continued to tout principals of diversity and inclusion, and works to help all Jews have access to their Jewish life.
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