THE TEMPLE: THEN AND NOW
The Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, now known as simply “The Temple,” was the first synagogue to be built in Atlanta. The Congregation was formed in the 1860s by the German Jews arriving and settling in Atlanta, and it belongs to the Reform denomination of Judaism. This is reflective of the way German Jews were more likely to assimilate to the newer traditions of their new country, while the eastern European Jews that arrived later were more distinct and kept their Orthodox traditions. Its first building was built in 1877, in the downtown Jewish neighborhood, but as membership grew there was increasing demand for greater space. The Temple moved first to a larger building in the Southside in 1902, and then again to its current location on Peachtree Street, where this photo was taken, in 1949.
In its first few decades of its existence, the Temple was constantly shifting and changing, moving through rabbis at a quick pace and zig-zagging between traditional Jewish practices and Reform Jewish practices. It wasn’t until 1895, with the arrival of Rabbi David Marx, that the Temple achieved stability. Rabbi Marx would ultimately serve the Temple as their rabbi for 51 years, seeing the community through the end of World War II, and was instrumental in shaping the community’s dedication to Reform Judaism. Beginning his career at the Temple at just 23 years old, he had firm and passionate beliefs not just about Reform Judaism, but also anti-Zionism. He saw the future of the Jewish people inextricably linked to that of the United States, and for that reason wanted to discourage the founding of a Jewish state in Palestine. Due to his passion and influence, Zionism was late to take hold in Atlanta, an organized movement only beginning in the late 1920s. Rabbi Marx also led the Jewish community through the lyching of Temple member Leo Frank in 1915, who was wrongly accused of murdering a little girl and killed in an act of anti-semitism. This attack struck a deep chord with the Atlanta Jewish community, who up until then had felt relatively safe in the city they helped build. Marx had to navigate how to empower a now fearful community, as well as the anti-semitism that became increasingly brazen.
After his 51 years of service as rabbi, Marx was replaced by Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, who had moved to Atlanta from the north. His move to the south made the rampant racism extremely clear to Rothschild, who would spend his entire career as rabbi speaking out in favor of civil rights and against Jim Crow. In his first sermon as rabbi on the holy day of Rosh Hashanah, Rothschild openly denounced segregation, a dramatic shift from his predecessor who tended to avoid conversations around race. Given the already existing threat of anti-semitism, there was a fear that outspoken and more radical racial beliefs would make the Jewish community even more of a target. While initially his passion for social justice received mixed opinions from the community, most grew accustomed to his racially charged sermons and calls to action.
Rabbi Rothschild, left, with congregation members, 1958. Courtesy of Georgia State University
The fears of retaliation, however, were not unfounded, and were realized on October 12, 1958. A hate group had planted 50 sticks of dynamite in the northern entrance of the synagogue, an area that was used for education. Fortunately the bomb exploded
early, when no one was at the Temple yet, and no one was hurt in the explosion, although the side of the Temple was blown out. This event led to an outpouring of support from other Atlanta institutions and organizations committed to peace and equality. Especially profound was the mayor of Atlanta, William B. Hartsfield, visiting the Temple outside in the rubble alongside Rabbi Rothschild. It was here that Mayor Hartsfield famously declared Atlanta “the city too busy to hate,” a label that would shape the next decade of civil rights activism.
Rabbi Rothschild and Mayor Hartsfield in the Temple bombing rubble, 1958.
Rabbi Rothschild and Martin Luther King Jr commemorating Dr. King's Noble Peace Prize, 1965.
Far from being discouraged by the bombing, Rothschild stepped up his engagement in civil rights, and his community followed suit. His involvement led to a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. himself, and Rothschild was one of the main organizers of Dr. King’s honorary banquet after he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He continued to advocate for equality and human and civil rights up to his death in 1971, and cemented his legacy as a Jewish leader and activist.
After Rabbi Rothschild, the Temple continued to grow and expand alongside Atlanta’s Jewish community, which grew from 28,000 in 1980 to over 120,000 in 2006. The Temple continues to be a signature of Atlanta Jewish history, a landmark building with an active community, as well as a leader for the southern Jewish community as a whole.
