A letter to our community with a request from Zach Dembo
I would like to express my gratitude to The J and our community for supporting our ongoing effort to explore the storied history of Birmingham’s Jews. I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and support. It means so much that so many are interested in what I am writing, but more so I am thrilled that y’all are so passionate about understanding the history of my new home: the Jewish community of Birmingham.
For upcoming blog posts I want to give some context as to why our ancestors left Europe for America, and specifically why some of them came to Birmingham. Since this is so important to understanding who we are as American Jews, I feel it’s necessary to go in this direction before telling more specific stories about the Jews of Birmingham.
Tell us your stories
So I am curious to learn what you would like to know about our community.
In addition to the numerous mysteries that I want to investigate, many of you have contacted me with your questions. But we know you’ve got more questions, so we’ve created a survey form for you to submit your thoughts and even photos and documents (scroll down).
Our community has raised the following questions about Jewish Birmingham. Maybe you have an answer or two, or maybe reading them will prompt more queries:
- What was a typical day for a Jewish peddler in Birmingham?
- How did Dora Roth get everyone to sit at the table and help settle Shoah survivors in Birmingham?
- Where did the Jews of Birmingham get kosher wine?
- Were there any industries or jobs that Jews were disproportionately involved in in Birmingham?
- Was the Vulcan statue stored for a time at a Jewish-owned scrap yard?
- Why did so many Jews from the Russian town of Kobrin settle in Birmingham?
- How did so many Jews end up living in the exclusive white Protestant community of Mountain Brook?
- How did Samuel Ullman convince the city to build its first high school for African Americans during Jim Crow?
- When were the peak points of antisemitism in Birmingham?
- How have the Jews of Birmingham navigated antisemitism?
- Who are some Jewish Birminghamians who influenced events in the city, state, or country who are important for us to know?
We expect this historical project to last for a long time because inquiring minds want to know!
Thank you in advance for your ideas, your interest, your contributions, and for reading.
Zachary Dembo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Southern Jewish history nerd from Baltimore, Maryland — the Birthplace of the Star-Spangled-Banner. His first of many visits to Birmingham began in 2008 and he became a resident in 2019. He is married to Lauren Axelroth, a third-generation Birminghamian.
In recognition of Zach’s historical writing for The J’s blog in 2024, last month he received the LJCC’s L’Dor V’Dor Award “for embodying The J’s core value of empowering others to learn and understand Jewish values, thereby ensuring a vibrant and meaningful Jewish future.”
By Zachary Dembo:
- Because we could: The history of Jews in Birmingham
- Of secrets, omissions, and selective memory
- How the ‘German’ Jews got to Birmingham: Part 1
Let us know what you know and what you might want to know by filling out the form below (only name and email are required). Your answers will be kept confidential and we will obtain permission from you before using any information you submit.