History and Overview Temple Emanu-El is the principal spiritual center for Reform Jews and their families in the greater Birmingham area. We offer to our more than 750 member families a wide range of worship and learning experiences and a warm environment in which to share and support one another in celebration, in healing, and in religious observance. Our congregation provides us many opportunities to engage in action and advocacy projects which encourage social justice, peace, and freedom for all.

Our mission to enhance Reform Judaism is stronger than ever. We recently revitalized our congregation with a beautiful renovated facility, and we strive to develop a lifelong love of Jewish learning, pride in our Jewish heritage, and commitment to the future of Jewish life for our members.


Our History

Temple Emanu-El was founded in 1882 by early Jewish settlers who came to the small town of Birmingham. By 1886, the Temple’s membership had grown to 86 families, and the congregation laid the cornerstone for the first synagogue to be built in Jefferson County.

This first house of worship, located on the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 17th Street North, served the congregation for the next 24 years. These early settlers assumed leadership roles in all aspects of civic affairs — beginning a tradition of community involvement that continues among our Temple membership today.

In 1895, Rabbi Morris Newfield, a young Hungarian immigrant, was elected to lead the congregation — which he continued to do for over 45 years. Under his leadership, the congregation swelled to over 300 families and a “new” sanctuary was built in 1914 at 2100 Highland Avenue. It is in this majestic and beautiful sanctuary that we still worship today.

Arriving the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Rabbi Milton Grafman took the reins of Temple Emanu-El and led our congregation for the next 34 years — through World War II, the establishment of Israel, and the struggle for civil rights in Birmingham. Thanks to the supreme efforts of both Rabbi Newfield and Rabbi Grafman, Temple Emanu-El has played a vital role in the history and life of Birmingham’s Jewish and secular community.

Temple Emanu-El Today

Today, the congregation is led by Rabbi Jonathan Miller, who joined our Temple in 1991. Under his enthusiastic leadership, our congregation continues to grow and flourish in both numbers and activity. He embraces our philosophy of community and is exceptionally innovative in his programming.

Rabbi Miller is joined on the pulpit and in pastoral functions by Cantor Jessica Roskin and Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss, Director of Adult Jewish Educational Outreach. Temple Emanu-El is the only congregation in the country with a visionary rabbinic position such as Rabbi Hausman-Weiss'. With his help, Temple Emanu-El reaches out to Jews of all ages to involve them more deeply in Jewish life. In addition, Cantor Jessica Roskin has transformed our musical tradition into a participatory spiritual experience for all ages. She is loved for her range of music that appeals to both adults and children.

In 2002, with extraordinary leadership and participation from both the congregation and the clergy, Temple-Emanu-El completed a $17 million campaign for renovation of its spiritual home on Highland Avenue and to further build its endowment. Thanks to a tremendous commitment from so many, Temple Emanu-El continues to be a strong and vibrant house of Reform Judaism for the Birmingham community.

Worship

Over the past ten years, the worship style at Temple Emanu-El has grown to include more active participation in the services by congregants of all ages. An increased variety of services has been offered which appeal to different age groups and styles of worship. Under the musical direction of Cantor Jessica Roskin, our worship ranges from the classical Union Prayer Book to the spirited “Temple Stages” with guitar and contemporary music. Our High Holy Days feature Temple Emanu-El’s magnificent choir — a rich, steadfast tradition of the congregation. Shabbat Worship Services 5:45 pm     Friday Evenings 11:00am    Saturday mornings

We also offer a special Tot Shabbat and Family Shabbat Services periodically on Friday evening for families with pre-school or school-age children.

Babysitting is offered at all of our Shabbat and High Holy Day services.