Jewish Travel Guide to Alabama

**Overview**  
Alabama is known for its rich civil rights history, warm Southern hospitality and diverse landscapes ranging from the Appalachian foothills to the Gulf Coast. Though its Jewish population is relatively small, the state’s Jewish heritage dates to the early nineteenth century when merchants and settlers established communities in cities like Montgomery, Selma and Mobile. Today, Alabama’s Jewish community is concentrated in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile, each with synagogues, museums and cultural institutions that preserve local history.

**Jewish Heritage & Community**  
• Montgomery’s Jewish community formed Kahl Montgomery in 1849; the synagogue built in 1862 (now Temple Beth Or) is believed to be the only synagogue erected in the South during the Civil War【576428661598157†L78-L108】. The congregation later aligned with the Reform movement and remains a vibrant center of Jewish life.  
• In Huntsville, Temple B’nai Sholom, founded in 1876 by 32 families, is the oldest synagogue in Alabama in continuous use【540364071856764†L55-L61】. The congregation’s Romanesque Revival sanctuary was completed in 1899【540364071856764†L86-L93】, and the adjacent Huntsville Jewish Heritage Center offers exhibits on North Alabama’s Jewish history【540364071856764†L140-L147】.  
• Birmingham’s Temple Emanu‑El (Reform) and Chabad of Alabama anchor the city’s Jewish community, while congregations like Etz Chayim in Huntsville, Agudath Israel–Etz Ahayem in Montgomery and Springhill Avenue Temple in Mobile serve Conservative and Reform Jews.  
• Smaller communities exist in Tuscaloosa, Selma and Dothan, each preserving historic synagogues and maintaining cemeteries.

**Kosher Dining**  
Kosher food options are limited in Alabama but growing. In Birmingham, the Chabad of Alabama maintains a small kosher kitchen and can cater meals upon request. Some national supermarket chains carry kosher products, especially in larger cities. Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile have bakeries and supermarkets with kosher sections. Visitors may wish to bring packaged foods or contact local Chabad centers for assistance.

**Shabbat & Synagogues**  
• **Temple Beth Or – Montgomery:** A historic Reform congregation offering Friday night services and welcoming visitors【576428661598157†L78-L109】.  
• **Temple B’nai Sholom – Huntsville:** A friendly Reform synagogue with weekly Shabbat services and the adjacent Jewish Heritage Center【540364071856764†L55-L61】.  
• **Temple Emanu‑El – Birmingham:** A large Reform congregation with weekly services and a vibrant community.  
• **Agudath Israel–Etz Ahayem – Montgomery:** Conservative congregation with separate seating and traditional services; call ahead for service times.  
• **Chabad of Alabama – Birmingham:** Offers daily services, Shabbat meals and hospitality; contact for details.

**Must‑See Attractions**  
• **Civil Rights Sites:** The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. In Montgomery, visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Rosa Parks Museum.  
• **U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville:** America’s space heritage and home to the famous Saturn V rocket.  
• **Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma:** An iconic landmark of the 1965 Voting Rights March.  
• **Beaches & Nature:** Explore Gulf Shores’ white‑sand beaches or hike in Cheaha State Park, Alabama’s highest point.

**Travel Tips**  
Alabama’s Jewish sites are spread across the state, so renting a car is advisable. Summers are hot and humid; spring and fall offer pleasant weather. Major airports are located in Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery. Contact congregations ahead of time to arrange kosher meals or Shabbat hospitality, as resources may be limited outside big cities.