Bombing of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple
Encyclopedia
The Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple, a Reform Jewish
temple located on Peachtree Street
in Atlanta, Georgia
, and known simply as "The Temple
," was bombed in the early morning hours of October 12, 1958. An explosion of approximately fifty sticks of dynamite
tore through the side wall of the building. The synagogue
was one of Atlanta's oldest and wealthiest. No one was injured in the bombing.
Those who heard the blast reported a "loud explosion" to police and newspapers. A United Press International
(UPI) staff member had received a call earlier that night warning that a bombing would occur, but did not take the call seriously. At 3:45 a.m., shortly after the bombing, UPI staff received a call from "General Gordon of the Confederate Underground" who said "We bombed a temple in Atlanta. This is the last empty building in Atlanta we will bomb. All nightclubs refusing to fire their Negro employees will also be blown up. We are going to blow up all Communist organizations. Negroes and Jews are hereby declared aliens."
Rabbi Jacob Rothchild, the temple's rabbi
, was an outspoken advocate of civil rights and integration, and friend of Martin Luther King Jr. The bombing ripped at the delicate social fabric of Atlanta, a city that liked to think of itself as the "City too Busy to Hate."
Five men associated with the National States' Rights Party
, a white separatist group, were tried and acquitted of the bombing.
The bombing was depicted in the film Driving Miss Daisy
, though the movie places the bombing in 1966, not 1958.
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
temple located on Peachtree Street
Peachtree Street
Peachtree Street is the main street of Atlanta. The city grew up around the street, and many of its historical and municipal buildings are or were located along it...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, and known simply as "The Temple
The Temple (Atlanta, Georgia)
The Temple in Atlanta, Georgia is the center of Jewish culture in Atlanta. The oldest Jewish congregation in Atlanta, the Hebrew Benevolent Society, was established in 1860...
," was bombed in the early morning hours of October 12, 1958. An explosion of approximately fifty sticks of dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
tore through the side wall of the building. The synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
was one of Atlanta's oldest and wealthiest. No one was injured in the bombing.
Those who heard the blast reported a "loud explosion" to police and newspapers. A United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
(UPI) staff member had received a call earlier that night warning that a bombing would occur, but did not take the call seriously. At 3:45 a.m., shortly after the bombing, UPI staff received a call from "General Gordon of the Confederate Underground" who said "We bombed a temple in Atlanta. This is the last empty building in Atlanta we will bomb. All nightclubs refusing to fire their Negro employees will also be blown up. We are going to blow up all Communist organizations. Negroes and Jews are hereby declared aliens."
Rabbi Jacob Rothchild, the temple's rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, was an outspoken advocate of civil rights and integration, and friend of Martin Luther King Jr. The bombing ripped at the delicate social fabric of Atlanta, a city that liked to think of itself as the "City too Busy to Hate."
Five men associated with the National States' Rights Party
National States' Rights Party
National States' Rights Party was a far right, white supremacist party that briefly played a minor role in the politics of the United States.-Foundation:...
, a white separatist group, were tried and acquitted of the bombing.
The bombing was depicted in the film Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same name. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy...
, though the movie places the bombing in 1966, not 1958.