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HISTORY

B'nai Zion history is interwoven with the history of Jews in Chattanooga.  It began as an Orthodox community that is usually traced back to the year 1880 when Mr. Wolfe Brody, a new arrival from Poland, brought his family to Chattanooga.  He was instrumental in persuading other Jewish families to settle here.  The surnames of many of these settlers may still be found in the B'nai Zion membership today.  They include Diamond, Slabosky, Levine, Friedman, Weinberg, Long, Brener, Edelstein, Wise, and Frank.  Many of the early settlers were peddlers who took their goods to the rural South.

The Diamond Family - Early B'nai Zion congregrants

B'nai Zion Congregation officially dates back to May 11, 1888, when a Tennessee State Charter was issued to the "Brethren from B'nai Chien" to establish an orthodox synagogue.  Early religious services in Chattanooga were conducted in the home of Wolfe Brody.  Each Friday found the peddlers returning to the city for the purpose of observing Shabbat in the company of their fellow Jews.   Mrs. Brody was also a leader in the early "B'nai Chien" congregation.  She was the first to make a Mikvah by digging a pit in her backyard and putting a box inside.  The Brody home extended room and board to many of the visiting peddlers.

When the community was too large to have its religious services in a crowded home, a hall on Carter Street was rented as a synagogue.  This was the first of several homes for the future B'nai Zion congregation.  As these early entrepreneurs put down roots and became leading merchants in Chattanooga, the congregation continued to flourish--but not without their share of grief.  The second synagogue on Carter Street was destroyed by fire.  Mr. L. Slabosky, a noted Talmudic scholar, rushed into the buring building to save the torahs from the flames.  His hands were burned and his face was scorched, but he did not collapse until he reached the open door with the precious bundles under his arms.  He never fully recovered from the smoke and heat of the fire.

In 1924, the members of the congregation unanimously approved an amendment to adopt the name B'nai Zion Congregation.  The first B'nai Zion Synagogue was located on 14th & Carter Streets on land owned by the congregation.

As the City of Chattanooga grew and changed, B'nai Zion moved to Vine & Mable Streets, staying there from 1931 for more than forty years. In the 1960's two significant events related to B'nai Zion occurred. First, it was decided to change our affiliation from Orthodox to Modern Conservative, and second, it was decided to purchase property in Brainerd for future growth and as an investment. 

In 1975, B'nai Zion moved to the Brainerd property where we are today.   The transporting of the Torahs from the Vine Street Synagogue to McBrien Road was an impressive event.  

Our present facility was dedicated in March of 1975 and continues to serve us well.  Check out the Art at B'nai Zion section to view some of our beautiful interior.