History
In 1880, Wolfe Brody started the Chattanooga Jewish community. A Tennessee State Charter was issued to the “Brethren from B’nai Chein” in 1888. In 1903, the Hebrew Ladies Aid Society was formed, now known as the B’nai Zion Sisterhood. The Chattanooga Free Hebrew school was established in 1909. The congregation’s name was changed to B’nai Zion in 1924. On October 9, 1961 the congregation’s affiliation was changed from Orthodox to modern Conservative. The ground was broken for the former McBrien Road synagogue on November 4, 1973. In 2013, Rabbi Susan Tendler became the congregation’s first female Rabbi.
| 1880 | Wolfe Brody starts the Jewish community in Chattanooga. Mrs. Brody digs a hole in her back yard for the first mikvah. |
| 1888 | A Tennessee State Charter is issued to the “Brethren from B’nai Chein” on May 11 |
| 1888 | Meeting place for B’nai Chein is rented at 1208 Carter Street. |
| 1890 | Site of the present B’nai Zion Cemetery is purchased. |
| 1894 | Larger meeting place is rented at 1027 Carter Street. |
| 1900 | Fire destroys 1027 Carter Street. Louis Slabosky rescues the Torah scrolls. |
| 1902 | Carter Street synagogue is built. |
| 1903 | Hebrew Ladies Aid Society formed. Today it is the B’nai Zion Sisterhood. |
| 1909 | Chattanooga Free Hebrew School established. |
| 1924 | Name changed to B’nai Zion Congregation. |
| 1931 | Vine Street synagogue building dedicated March 29. |
| 1934 | Sunday School established to supplement Hebrew School. |
| 1961 | B’nai Zion changes affiliation from Orthodox to Modern Conservative on October 9. |
| 1973 | McBrien Road synagogue groundbreaking on November 4. |
| 1975 | Torahs carried from Vine Street to McBrien Road in March. |
| 1987 | Solomon Schechter Award of Excellence – Adult Education. |
| 1984 | B’nai Zion becomes egalitarian, giving women full participation in religious services. |
| 1991 | Solomon Schechter Award of Excellence – Synagogue Administration |
| 2000 | B’nai Zion’s website goes online. Synagogue of Excellence Award – Computer Communications (website) |
| 2002 | Solomon Schechter Gold Award – Website |
| 2004 | Synagogue of Excellence Award – Bulletin |
| 2004 | McBrien Road Building Interior Renovation |
| 2013 | Rabbi Susan Tendler installed as B’nai Zion’s first female rabbi. |
| 2021 | Rabbi Samuel Rotenberg joins B'nai Zion. |
Tue, April 23 2024 15 Nisan 5784