| 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 inHuntsville,Alabama | |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°43′58″N86°34′59″W / 34.73278°N 86.58306°W /34.73278; -86.58306 |
| 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] | |
Temple B'nai Sholom (translated fromHebrew as "Children of Peace"[2]) is an historicReformJewish congregation andsynagogue, located at 103 Lincoln Street SE, inHuntsville,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 theoldest synagogue building in continuous use in the state.[3][4]
In its early years, the congregation struggled to furnish their rented room at the Masonic Lodge in time for theHigh Holidays in 1876. Members who fell behind on their dues were suspended and their names published in the nationally circulatedAmerican 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 employed full-time rabbis from the 1890s until 1913, but was without a resident rabbi for 50 years until 1963. It has maintained full-time rabbinic leadership ever since.[5]
Beginning in the 1950s, the arrival of new residents associated with NASA and the space program and the many Army commands headquartered in Huntsville led to a growth in membership at Temple B'nai Sholom, and a revitalization of the congregation.
The brick building was designed by R.H. Hunt in theRomanesque Revival style and built between in 1898–1899.[4] The building was listed on theAlabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on July 29, 1977;[6] and is acontributing property located within the HunstvilleOld Town Historic District, listed on theNational Register of Historic Places on July 18, 1978.[1] The building was extensively renovated in 1994.[4]
In 2017, Temple B'nai Sholom opened the Jewish Heritage Center,[7] 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.
Media related toTemple B'Nai Shalom at Wikimedia Commons
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