The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-07
IBR|EF HISTORY OF TEMPLE EMANUEL GIVEN BY JOSEPH Congregation Is B Years Old-First Services
 in 1882 OLD TEMPLE WAS
 ERECTED IN 1889 MT. Joseph Calls Attention to Close Relations With Other Churches of City-Rabbi Newfield
 Came in 1895

The history of Temple Emanu-EI is replete with interesting facts The be- ginning of the temple in the residence | or Jewish citizen of this city 33 years ago until the dedication of the most fbeautiful and costly temple in the l southern states is story that is in-
 spring. The sturdy Jewish citizens of
 the early days started the work in the Cumberland Presbyterian church
 B years ago that is today exemplified
 by the beautiful Temple Emanu-El over which Dr. Newfield presides l During the life of the church, espe- ! cially in the latter years. M. V. Joseph
 has been actively engaged in working for that church. He is now president of the congregation and received the
 keys to the temple last night. He was requested yesterday to give out a short statement about the beginning of the temple and it's work Mir. Joseph demurred at first, but finally, as the history Is of particular interest at this time, made this statement
 | History of Congregation
 The dedication of this temple to the service of God, the furtherance of the faith and for the welfare of men must be source of intending pride and grat- ification to the men and women of this congregation who have made this grand accomplishment possible. This is one of the smallest Jewish congrega- tions in America that has in 33 years erected temple of this magnifieence emb odying as it does the last detail of dignity and stateliness and beauty have been requested, much against
 my inclinations, to sketch briefly the history of Temple Emanu-El and would have strenuously resisted this task thrust upon me but for the compelling
 interest that the history of this con- gregation excites It's marvellous growth 1 into it's present commanding position | in Judaism, its power and influence in
 this community and it's ideal relation
 with all congregations of this district | together with the chiva1ry and romance | connected with its growth are all de-
 tails that compel anyone to lend con- sistent attention in looking back over
 the vista of the past The fullest word i has been said as to the duties of this
 temple it's beauty, it's location, its cost and all of those things that the modern
 world looks upon with interest. How ever, nothing has been said about the | beginning, the trial and travail which
 the founders of this congregation ex- perienced in beginning this work in l this Magic City.
 1 .I could consume all of my time in l telling personal matters in connection with the foundation of this temple that would keep those of us interested spell
 bound.
 Is Thirty-Three Years Old
 ''This congregation is B years old. The ] best information obtainable as to the beginning is that in the summer of 1881 preparations were being made for the celebration of the holy days and the | ardent young men of the church banded together to properly commemorate that church season. In 1881 no surprise was | caused by the fact that there was no Jewish church here, for there were few Jewish families in the city. The young | men, however, were imbued with the
 idea of founding congregation. They
 did not want simply a cemetery, but a
 church where the worship of God in all | holiness might be enjoyed. We find that there was held In the Simon residence, at | the corner of Seventeenth street and Fifth avenue, one Sunday afternoon a
 small meeting of the young men. Steps were taken then and there to start a temple. It was matter of a short time, | I believe during the holy days of the 1 same summer. when the first public meet | ing was held. At the meeting in the Simon residence, however. was the first Jewish service held in Birmingham That
 modest beginning finds it's finale in this magnificent edifice and it is stirring
 monument to the men of old whose en-