Knesseth Israel Congregation

About Knesseth Israel

Rabbi’s Welcome

Welcome to the Knesseth Israel Mishpacha (family)! Thats what we try to be, a family.  At KI we work to become a communal family with the shul as our home.

As a family we take care of one another, bringing meals to families with new children, cooking for communal meals together, visiting the sick.

KI is an open home where a newcomer is welcomed and embraced. You will get a hug from the rabbi (me) or the rebbetzin (my wife Marisa), an invitation for a shabbat meal or for a weekday coffee, offers of help in navigating the sidur (prayer book) or the Birmingham area.

KI is diverse, we are home to Jews of different racial and national backgrounds as well as religious observance. We value this diversity. When people with differing perspectives come together we help each homogeneous learn in ways impossible in a homogeneous group.

We believe that a person is never done learning. Therefore, our goal is to help all who pass through our doors to grow as Jews and as people. Whether you grew up as an observant Jew going to Yeshivot all your life or you grew up as a secular Jew or a member of a different faith group, whether you can read and speak hebrew fluently or you are just beginning your Jewish education, you can find a home in the KI Mishpacha. We are a community of learners.

Whoever you are, a graduate student, young professional, married or single, working or retired, KI can your home!

Who We Are

Knesseth Israel (also known as KI) is a diverse communal family. Warm and friendly, we are a shul where people from all backgrounds join together for a fantastic growing experience. The KI family hosts a plethora of programs and classes while making everyone feel at home. With our roots firmly established in the beauty of our heritage, KI is looking towards the future with creative ways to make Judaism accessible to all. Whether through entering the depth of Jewish learning and prayer or through the exciting communal and social experiences we offer, Knesseth Israel Congregation is home.

Where We’ve Been (History)

Birmingham is a vibrant and active Jewish community. The first three Jewish families, arriving in Birmingham in 1873, were attracted here by potential business opportunities in this burgeoning coal and iron ore center of the South. In 1881, a dozen families gathered for the first Rosh Hashanah services, which were held in a private home. The 1880’s saw a great influx of Jewish newcomers to Birmingham. In 1882, Temple Emanu-El was formally incorporated. With a membership of 100 families, the Reform congregation dedicated its first synagogue building in 1889. An Orthodox congregation, Knesseth Israel, established in 1891, erected its first building in 1903 to serve the large numbers of Eastern European immigrants. The Jewish Community Center held its first annual meeting in 1907. A second Orthodox congregation, Temple Beth-El, was also chartered that year. This group became a part of the Conservative movement in 1944. Today’s Jewish community of approximately 5,500 enjoys affiliation with virtually every national, social, and religious Jewish organization. Almost every Jewish Birmingham person is a member of one of the congregations, contributing significantly to the overall strong and positive quality of Jewish life in Birmingham. In 1970, the Birmingham Jewish Federation was born. Their mission evolved as they added Social Welfare and Community Relations committees to their existing fund-raising campaign. Subsequently, the Federation spawned the Birmingham Jewish Day School (later renamed the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School), the Birmingham Jewish Foundation and Jewish Family Services.

All Information © by Knesseth Israel Congregation.