Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem

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location =3525 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery, Alabama, flag|United States
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leadership =Rabbi: Scott Kramer [http://www.agudathmontgomery.com/aboutUs.asp About Us] , Synagogue website. Accessed July 27, 2008.]
website =http://www.agudathmontgomery.com/
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year_completed =1957 [http://www.agudathmontgomery.com/ Synagogue website] . Accessed July 27, 2008.]
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Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem ("Congregation of Israel Tree of Life") is a Conservative synagogue located at 3525 Cloverdale Road in Montgomery, Alabama. It was established at Agudath Israel in 1902 by Ashkenazi Jews.

Agudath Israel came to national attention in the wake of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. Then rabbi Seymour Atlas became involved in the Civil rights movement, and became known for his liberal sermons, and for frequently appearing on local television and radio stations with Martin Luther King, where he would discuss civil rights movements and issues including desegregation and the boycott. As a result of his activism he ended up appearing in a picture in "Life magazine" alongside a local Roman Catholic priest and Baptist minister and black activist Ralph Abernathy, who had just been arrested for his participation in the boycott. The leadership of Agudath Israel grew concerned that his activism would lead to a antisemitic backlash, and the trustees called an emergency meeting, in which they insisted he recant his support of the boycott, ask "Life" to withdraw the article, and agree to submit all public speeches to the board in advance for pre-approval. Atlas refused, and the following "Shabbat" recited a prayer for the success of the boycott. The trustees responded by shunning him, literally turning their backs when he was around. Atlas resigned, and the trustees unanimously voted that the next rabbi would have to sign an agreement not to discuss "Negroes" or segregation.Staub, Michael E. "Torn at the Roots: The Crisis of Jewish Liberalism in Postwar America", Columbia University Press, 2002, pp. 59-60. ISBN 0231123744] Fobanjong, John. "Local Rifts over Jewish Support for African Americans in the Pre-Civil Rights Era", "The Western Journal of Black Studies", Vol. 26, 2002.]

The present location at 3525 Cloverdale Road was constructed in 1957 and contains a large sanctuary, a chapel, a religious library, newly remodeled gift shop, "mikvah" (ritual bath), offices, and a kosher kitchen. The separate education building contains classrooms, a large group room, libraries, officies, and a playground.

In 1986 David Arzouane, a graduate of Yeshiva University, joined Agudath Israel as director of the Hebrew education program, a position he has held since then. Aaron Aronov, former president of Agudath Israel, was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 1988. [http://www.archives.state.al.us/famous/Academy/a_aronov.html Aaron Morris Aronov] , Alabama Academy of Honor website, Current Members of the Academy of Honor.]

In 1995 Agudath Israel hired Cyndie Culpeper, a convert from Catholicism and former nurse, as rabbi. Culpeper had been posted at Agudath Israel as a rabbinical intern, and was hired there full time upon graduation from the Jewish Theological Seminary, the first Conservative woman rabbi in Alabama. However, the following year she revealed that she had AIDS, the result of an accidental needle prick while working as a nurse.Katz, Leslie & Brook, Larry J. [http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/2950/edition_id/51/format/html/displaystory.html "`I have AIDS,' rabbi from S.F. reveals publicly"] , "j.", February 9, 1996.] The congregation rallied around her, insisting she continue to work, and wearing red AIDS awareness ribbons, but in 1997 she gave up her position and moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she could get "cutting edge" treatment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's AIDS research clinic. Culpeper died in 2005.Brook, Larry & Wall, Alexandrea J. [http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/26837/edition_id/516/format/html/displaystory.html "Rabbi Cynthia Culpeper dies at 43"] , September 2, 2005.]

In 2001 Agudath Israel merged with Etz Ahayem, a synagogue established by Sephardi Jews in 1912, and took its current name.

From 2002 to 2006 Stephen Listfield was rabbi. Listfield led protests by the congregation against the posthumous induction of prominent United States Navy officer, frequent political candidate, and outspoken antisemite John G. Crommelin into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor.Reeves, Jay. [http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/apnews/stories/121303/D7VD9PS80.shtml "Honor for Navy hero stirs outrage over his anti-Semitic politics"] , "Associated Press","The Florida Times-Union", December 13, 2003.]

After Listfield's resignation in the summer of 2006, Rabbi Scott Kramer took the lead of the congregation.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.agudathmontgomery.com Synagogue website]