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'''Knesseth Israel Congregation''' ('''KI''') is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue (shul) which has its origins in the first Orthodox congregation to organize in [[Birmingham]] in [[1891]]. The synagogue is currently located at 3100 [[Overton Road]]. [[Moshe Rube]] is the current rabbi.  
'''Knesseth Israel Congregation''' ('''KI''') is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue (shul) which has its origins in the first Orthodox congregation to organize in [[Birmingham]] in [[1891]]. The synagogue is currently located at 3793 [[Crosby Drive]] in [[Mountain Brook]].


Until [[1903]] the congregation met in a one-story building at 519 [[22nd Street North]], adjacent to the [[First Baptist Church of Birmingham]]. Knesseth constructed a new building that year on the southwest corner of [[17th Street North|17th Street]] and [[7th Avenue North]], at the heart of what was then a Jewish neighborhood populated by immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Until [[1903]] the congregation met in a one-story building at 519 [[22nd Street North]], adjacent to the [[First Baptist Church of Birmingham]]. Knesseth constructed a new building that year on the southwest corner of [[17th Street North|17th Street]] and [[7th Avenue North]], at the heart of what was then a Jewish neighborhood populated by immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe.


In [[1955]] the congregation moved to a then-remote site at 3225 [[Montevallo Road]] in what is now [[Mountain Brook]]. The original downtown synagogue was later incorporated into the structure of the [[17th Street Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God]] on the same site. A pillar erected in the yard of the "temporary" synagogue on Montevallo Road was intended to serve as the cornerstone of a permanent building, but no progress was made on that plan until [[2004]].
In [[1955]] the congregation moved to a then-remote site at 3225 [[Montevallo Road]] in what is now Mountain Brook. The original downtown synagogue was later incorporated into the structure of the [[17th Street Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God]] on the same site. A pillar erected in the yard of the "temporary" synagogue on Montevallo Road was intended to serve as the cornerstone of a permanent building, but no progress was made on that plan until [[2004]].


Knesseth Isreal, facing deteriorating conditions in their "temporary" synagogue, began moving forward with plans for a new building that year, but then took up the suggestion of relocating to the site of the former [[Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church]] on Overton Road. The congregation hoped to take advantage of the high value of the Montevallo Road property, which faces the [[Birmingham Country Club]] golf course, to help finance the move, which brought them within a few blocks of the [[Bais Ariel Chabad Center]], strengthening ties within Birmingham's Orthodox Jewish community. The congregation voted in December [[2005]] to make the move, and raised $5.4 million in donations. Because many of the nearly 100 families in Knesseth Israel walked to Sabbath services, the move required them to find new homes in the Overton neighborhood.
Knesseth Isreal, facing deteriorating conditions in their "temporary" synagogue, began moving forward with plans for a new building that year, but then took up the suggestion of relocating to the site of the former [[Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church]] on Overton Road. The congregation hoped to take advantage of the high value of the Montevallo Road property, which faces the [[Birmingham Country Club]] golf course, to help finance the move, which brought them within a few blocks of the [[Bais Ariel Chabad Center]], strengthening ties within Birmingham's Orthodox Jewish community. The congregation voted in December [[2005]] to make the move, and raised $5.4 million in donations. Because many of the nearly 100 families in Knesseth Israel walked to Sabbath services, the move required them to find new homes in the Overton neighborhood.
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On [[November 19]], the congregation held a celebratory procession to its new building, carrying the congregation's six Torah scrolls. The 18,000 square-foot brick building included a sanctuary, a chapel, a mikvah for ritual immersion, an outdoor permanent Sukkah structure, offices, classrooms, library, social hall and two kitchens for preparation of kosher meals. Stained glass for the synagogue was designed by [[Pelham]] artist, [[Andrea Lucas]]. Across the street, on [[Crosby Road]], a new house was built for the KI rabbi.
On [[November 19]], the congregation held a celebratory procession to its new building, carrying the congregation's six Torah scrolls. The 18,000 square-foot brick building included a sanctuary, a chapel, a mikvah for ritual immersion, an outdoor permanent Sukkah structure, offices, classrooms, library, social hall and two kitchens for preparation of kosher meals. Stained glass for the synagogue was designed by [[Pelham]] artist, [[Andrea Lucas]]. Across the street, on [[Crosby Road]], a new house was built for the KI rabbi.


In February [[2012]] an "eruv" enclosing approximately 2 square miles surrounding the synagogue, was completed under Rabbi Yammer's direction, with guidance from Rabbi Yaacov Love of New York's Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The boundary, defined by physical structures such as power lines and fences, symbolically merges the included parcels into a community property, giving observant members of the congregation greater freedom of movement during the Sabbath. The status of the eiruv is confirmed weekly by visual inspection. ([http://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=122R5Ztys1G1r3e9aeVnG6IGcF5s&usp=sharing map])
In February [[2012]] an "eruv" enclosing approximately 2 square miles surrounding the synagogue, was completed under Rabbi Yammer's direction, with guidance from Rabbi Yaacov Love of New York's Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The boundary, defined by physical structures such as power lines and fences, symbolically merges the included parcels into a community property, giving observant members of the congregation greater freedom of movement during the Sabbath. The status of the eiruv is confirmed weekly by visual inspection. ([https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=122R5Ztys1G1r3e9aeVnG6IGcF5s&usp=sharing map])


In July [[2012]] the congregation, faced with debts arising from a disappointing return on their former property, put their Overton Road campus up for sale. [[Birmingham Jewish Federation]] president [[Jimmy Filler]] contacted [[Fred Friedman|Fred]] and [[Brenda Friedman]] about the possibility of helping the congregation remain in place. The result was the establishment of the [[Fred and Brenda Friedman Center for Jewish Life]] which hosted events and programs for several Jewish organizations while also providing a home for Knesseth Israel.
In July [[2012]] the congregation, faced with debts arising from a disappointing return on their former property, put their Overton Road campus up for sale. [[Birmingham Jewish Federation]] president [[Jimmy Filler]] contacted [[Fred Friedman|Fred]] and [[Brenda Friedman]] about the possibility of helping the congregation remain in place. The result was the establishment of the [[Fred and Brenda Friedman Center for Jewish Life]] which hosted events and programs for several Jewish organizations while also providing a home for Knesseth Israel.
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* "The Eruv is Now Up in Birmingham." (March 12, 2012) ''Southern Jewish Life''
* "The Eruv is Now Up in Birmingham." (March 12, 2012) ''Southern Jewish Life''
* Garrison, Greg (July 9, 2012) "Orthodox synagogue for sale: Knesseth Israel in Birmingham puts campus on the market for $5.5 million" {{BN}}
* Garrison, Greg (July 9, 2012) "Orthodox synagogue for sale: Knesseth Israel in Birmingham puts campus on the market for $5.5 million" {{BN}}
* "[https://www.sjlmag.com/2013/06/staying-alive-birminghams-knesseth.html?m=0 Staying alive: Birmingham's Knesseth Israel won't have to leave its new building]" (June 6, 2013) ''Southern Jewish Life'' - accessed January 3, 2015
* Bonfield, Barbara Goldstein (2012) ''Knesseth Israel: Over 123 Years of Orthodoxy.'' [[Seacoast Publishing]] ISBN 9781594210921
* "[https://www.sjlmag.com/2013/06/staying-alive-birminghams-knesseth.html?m=0 Staying alive: Birmingham's Knesseth Israel won't have to leave its new building]." (June 6, 2013) ''Southern Jewish Life'' - accessed January 3, 2015
* "[https://sjlmag.com/2022/07/28/birminghams-knesseth-israel-building-sold-congregation-moving-to-rabbis-house/ Birmingham’s Knesseth Israel building sold, congregation moving to rabbi’s house]." (July 18, 2022) ''Southern Jewish Life'' - accessed September 20, 2023
* "[https://sjlmag.com/2022/07/28/birminghams-knesseth-israel-building-sold-congregation-moving-to-rabbis-house/ Birmingham’s Knesseth Israel building sold, congregation moving to rabbi’s house]." (July 18, 2022) ''Southern Jewish Life'' - accessed September 20, 2023
* "[https://sjlmag.com/2022/08/22/rabbi-rube-leaving-knesseth-israel/ Rabbi Rube leaving Knesseth Israel}" (August 22, 2022) ''Southern Jewish Life''
* "[https://sjlmag.com/2022/08/22/rabbi-rube-leaving-knesseth-israel/ Rabbi Rube leaving Knesseth Israel}" (August 22, 2022) ''Southern Jewish Life''
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[[Category:2007 buildings]]
[[Category:2007 buildings]]
[[Category:Overton Road]]
[[Category:Overton Road]]
[[Category:Crosby Avenue]]

Revision as of 14:21, 20 September 2023

Knesseth Israel Congregation (KI) is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue (shul) which has its origins in the first Orthodox congregation to organize in Birmingham in 1891. The synagogue is currently located at 3793 Crosby Drive in Mountain Brook.

Until 1903 the congregation met in a one-story building at 519 22nd Street North, adjacent to the First Baptist Church of Birmingham. Knesseth constructed a new building that year on the southwest corner of 17th Street and 7th Avenue North, at the heart of what was then a Jewish neighborhood populated by immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe.

In 1955 the congregation moved to a then-remote site at 3225 Montevallo Road in what is now Mountain Brook. The original downtown synagogue was later incorporated into the structure of the 17th Street Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God on the same site. A pillar erected in the yard of the "temporary" synagogue on Montevallo Road was intended to serve as the cornerstone of a permanent building, but no progress was made on that plan until 2004.

Knesseth Isreal, facing deteriorating conditions in their "temporary" synagogue, began moving forward with plans for a new building that year, but then took up the suggestion of relocating to the site of the former Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church on Overton Road. The congregation hoped to take advantage of the high value of the Montevallo Road property, which faces the Birmingham Country Club golf course, to help finance the move, which brought them within a few blocks of the Bais Ariel Chabad Center, strengthening ties within Birmingham's Orthodox Jewish community. The congregation voted in December 2005 to make the move, and raised $5.4 million in donations. Because many of the nearly 100 families in Knesseth Israel walked to Sabbath services, the move required them to find new homes in the Overton neighborhood.

On November 19, the congregation held a celebratory procession to its new building, carrying the congregation's six Torah scrolls. The 18,000 square-foot brick building included a sanctuary, a chapel, a mikvah for ritual immersion, an outdoor permanent Sukkah structure, offices, classrooms, library, social hall and two kitchens for preparation of kosher meals. Stained glass for the synagogue was designed by Pelham artist, Andrea Lucas. Across the street, on Crosby Road, a new house was built for the KI rabbi.

In February 2012 an "eruv" enclosing approximately 2 square miles surrounding the synagogue, was completed under Rabbi Yammer's direction, with guidance from Rabbi Yaacov Love of New York's Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The boundary, defined by physical structures such as power lines and fences, symbolically merges the included parcels into a community property, giving observant members of the congregation greater freedom of movement during the Sabbath. The status of the eiruv is confirmed weekly by visual inspection. (map)

In July 2012 the congregation, faced with debts arising from a disappointing return on their former property, put their Overton Road campus up for sale. Birmingham Jewish Federation president Jimmy Filler contacted Fred and Brenda Friedman about the possibility of helping the congregation remain in place. The result was the establishment of the Fred and Brenda Friedman Center for Jewish Life which hosted events and programs for several Jewish organizations while also providing a home for Knesseth Israel.

In June 2022 the City of Mountain Brook purchased the Friedman Center building for $2.5 million. In August the congregation began holding services in the rabbi's home on Crosby Avenue.

Rabbis

  • J. T. Loeb, 1909–1913
  • A. Feinsilver, 1913–1918
  • Jacob Mendelsohn, 1918–1920
  • David Stein, 1920–1924
  • Benjamin Chaimovitz, 1925–1926
  • H. A. Leibovitz, 1928–1930
  • Abraham Bengis, 1930–1933
  • Isadore Sperling (lay rabbi), 1933–1934
  • Alex Klein, 1937–1941
  • Louis Werfel, 1942–1943
  • Joseph Goldberg, 1943–1946
  • Jonathan Silverberg, 1949–1955
  • David Tamarkin, 1955–1957
  • Seymour Atlas, 1959–1960
  • Nahum Benathan, 1963–1967
  • Moshe Stern, 1968–1980
  • Reuven Tradburks, 1987–1994
  • Meir Rosenberg, 1996–1998
  • Avraham Shmidman, 1998–2007
  • Karmi Ingber, 2007–2009
    • Eldad Zamir (visiting rabbi), 2009
  • Eytan Yammer, 2010–2016
  • Moshe Rube, 2017—2022

References

External links

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