The Temple Bombing of 1958

How an act of hate transformed Atlanta during the Civil Rights Movement

Rabbi Jacob Rothschild (1967) by The TempleWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

When Rabbi Jacob Rothschild arrived in Atlanta in 1946 to become the new spiritual leader at Atlanta's oldest and largest congregation, the Temple, he immediately recognized the discrimination towards Black people in the South and preached integration and tolerance. His outspokenness unfortunately made the Temple a target for hatred.

Robe worn by Rabbi Jacob Rothschild (1955)William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Rabbinical robes worn by Rabbi Jacob Rothschild during his tenure at The Temple.

Images of Wrecked Temple (1958-10-13) by Atlanta Journal ConstitutionWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

What Happened: The Blast

Between 3:30 and 3:45 AM on the twelfth of October 1958, explosives detonated at The Temple, a Reformed Jewish synagogue in Atlanta, Georgia. People in surrounding areas reported hearing a "loud explosion." Police later discovered the bomb was made of 50 sticks of dynamite. No one was injured.

By Grey VilletLIFE Photo Collection

Rabbi Rothschild and Mayor William Hartsfield surveying the damage of the Temple Bombing. Mayor Hartsfield conducted a live broadcast from the site condemning the act of hatred.

Temple Bomb rubble (1958-10-13) by The TempleWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

This ionic capital was a part of the rubble. It is currently on display at the Atlanta History Center.

98-008.01a, Harriet Frankel Family Papers, The Breman Museum

Temple Layout Diagram (1958-10-13) by Atlanta Journal ConstitutionWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

What Happened: Damage

The bomb was placed by a concrete column near the north entrance of the building. The cost to repair the building was $200,000, which would equal around $1,700,000 today. Several areas of the main auditorium remained undamaged while the Hebrew school was nearly destroyed, as well as much of the building's facade. The holy arc, where the Torahs (Hebrew scrolls) were kept, remained untouched. 

Daily News Bulletin (1958-10-13) by Jewish Telegraphic AgencyWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

What Happened: Law Enforcement

Police were quick to respond to the scene. The culprit(s) had left before their arrival. The FBI made an unprecedented visit to Atlanta to help arrest whomever had committed this unspeakable act - they usually did not intervene in antisemitic hate crimes. 

Eisenhower Excerpt from NY Herald Tribune (1958-10-22) by NY Herald TribuneWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

What Happened: Eisenhower

President Eisenhower made a statement condemning this act of terrorism and made sure the FBI were involved in the investigation. He also communicated with several key Jewish-American leaders including Rabbi Joachim Prinz, the president of the American Jewish Conference, to discuss how to improve racial and religious relations across the country. 

Letter about Temple Bombing trial (1959-02-06) by Edward M. KahnWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

What Happened: The Suspects & Verdict

The police arrested 5 men shortly after the attack with a prior history of antisemitic crime. The suspects also belonged to several white supremacist groups across the South. After the blast, a "General Gordon of the Confederate Underground" called the United Press International to confess that his group committed the crime. The men in custody were named Wallace Allen, Kenneth Chester Griffin, Robert Bolling, Richard Bolling, and George Bright. Griffin immediately confessed and the men indicated George Bright as the mastermind. All 5 were indicted and George Bright went on trial twice but was acquitted along with the other 4 suspects. The reasons for the acquittal are explained on the corresponding letter written to Will Maslow of the American Jewish Congress. 

Garland Campaign Ad (1959) by Reuben A. GarlandWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Bright's attorney, Reuben Garland, later ran for public office.

Letter from George Bright (1959-03-06) by George BrightWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

George Bright: Life After Trial

Bright attempted to capitalize off of the trial as much as he could by attempting to make himself known amongst America's far-right groups by holding meetings and attempting to publish his experience. While writing a response to someone interested in selling his story, Bright includes that he is studying law with plans to become a Criminal Lawyer. He fervently proclaims that "this country is SICK and decadent and that precious thing called 'justice' no longer exists for the White man."

Atlanta Magazine featuring George Bright (1992-02) by Atlanta MagazineWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

George Bright: Life After Trial

The rest of Bright's life was relatively uneventful. He was a mathematician and aspired to be an inventor. None of his inventions took off, but he was featured in a magazine highlighting undiscovered inventors. He ultimately died alone and unsuccessful. 

Excerpt from Bright's Journal (1950/1970) by George R. BrightWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

An excerpt from one of Bright's many journals filled with his mathematical inventions.

Letter from UWP (1959-01-26) by Dr. Edward R. FieldsWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: People

George Bright, as previously mentioned, was a member of multiple white nationalist groups. The Jim Crow era not only promoted racism, but religious persecution as well. There was a widespread belief amongst Bright and his constituents that the 'Other' was taking over the country. The 'Other' was often black people and Jews, who consequently supported each other. This ideology drove many to violence against the 'Other', including the people involved in the bombing. 

National Renaissance Bulletin (1958) by James H. MadoleWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: People

These types of attacks occurred primarily in the South. The hatred of Jews was a central dogma in many of the white nationalist groups. The National Renaissance Bulletin denied any involvement by Bright and his gang in the bombings, yet preached violently antisemitic ideas in its publications.

'Right' Publication (1958-11) by 'Right' JournalWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Right-wing nationalist paper claims that Bright and his gang were framed.

Merwin K. Hart's Bigotry (1958-05-05) by American Jewish CommitteeWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

A poignant example of the "reasoning" behind antisemitism in Jim Crow south.

FYI - Recent Southern Bombings (1958-11) by American Jewish CommitteeWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: People

Attacks against Jewish houses of worship occurred in the 1950s at a disturbingly rapid rate. The bombers were rarely held accountable, which only emboldened them and their comrades to continue committing these crimes. 

AP Unity Article (1958-05-04) by The Associated PressWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Newspaper from earlier in 1958, months before the bombing, explaining how religious communities across the south were coming together to figure out how to stop these attacks against Jews and blacks.

ADL Warning (1958-03-18) by Arthur J. LevinWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: Police

Unfortunately, the culprits of the bombings against Jewish houses of worship were rarely caught. If suspects were apprehended, as was the case in the Atlanta Bombing, they were rarely sentenced despite a plethora of evidence.

FBI Uselessness (1958-04-30) by Department of JusticeWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: Police

The FBI hardly intervened in similar cases, claiming they had no jurisdictional basis to get involved. When the Temple Bombing occurred, President Eisenhower ordered the FBI to investigate the crime. This intervention at the federal level added much needed professionalism to the investigation. Local police were often understaffed and overworked, which emboldened white nationalist groups to commit similar crimes. This pattern led to the Atlanta Temple bombing. 

Bombing Editorial (1958-10-25) by AFL-CIO NewsWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: Politics

Congress and politicians prohibited the FBI from intervening in certain circumstances. Often, there was a grey area in the laws that detailed jurisdictional rights. More than that, there was trend of lawlessness and resistance to desegregation rulings among politicians, especially southern politicians, that goaded on the bombers. Ralph McGill, acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winning columnist, compared this trend to a "harvest." He famously noted that "it is not possible to preach lawlessness and restrict it." 

Senate Plea (1958-09-08) by Tad V. FisherWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Why it Happened: Politics

A bill circulating Washington, D.C. before the Atlanta bombing called the "Loser Bill" (HR 11806) that would have prevented inter-state transportation of explosives like dynamite. Jewish leaders wrote to their senators pleading with them to help pass the bill, but the bill was not passed until the late 1970s. 

Bill Telegram (1958-06-11) by Western UnionWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

A telegram from hearings about the progress and future of the "Loser Bill."

AJC Front Page Coverage (1958-10-13) by Atlanta Journal ConstitutionWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The Positives: Coverage

The Atlanta Temple bombing was widely covered all over the country and featured in major publications. Atlanta journalist, Ralph McGill, won the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Temple Bombing. The media coverage played a large role in the rapid response from law enforcement and President Eisenhower. In many ways, the heavy coverage is what turned the event into a catalyst of change in the south.

A Declaration of Conscience (1958-11-16) by Varied Religious LeadersWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The Positives: Solidarity

Dozens of religious groups across the country came together in support of Rabbi Rothschild the congregation of the Temple. The media coverage reached many Americans who stood in solidarity with Atlanta's Jewish community. They viewed an attack on one religion as an attack on all religions. Hundreds of people across the nation, religiously inclined or not, donated to the Temple's restoration fund. 

USO Letter (1958-10-13) by USO MemberWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Letter from a member of the USO showing his support for the congregants of the Temple.

'A Message From Our Rabbi' (1958-10-16) by Rabbi Jacob M. RothschildWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The Positives: Strength in the Community

Atlanta's Jewish community rallied in support of the Temple. The first service after the bombing on October 17th, 1958, just 5 days after the bombing, saw attendance grow by hundreds of people. Rabbi Rothschild made a poignant sermon, "...And None Shall Make Them Afraid," that embodied the spirit of the Jewish people and those fighting for civil rights.

By Grey VilletLIFE Photo Collection

Rabbi Rothschild standing if front of the Temple shortly before delivering his famous sermon about the bombing.

Sisterhood Shoutout (1959) by The Temple in AtlantaWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

A report from the Temple's Sisterhood detailing their successes in fundraising and healing the community.

The Bomb That Healed (1988-10-07) by Ellen BernsteinWilliam Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The Positives: A Legacy

The Atlanta Jewish Times published a piece about the bombing thirty years after the event took place. Janice Rothschild, the widow of Rabbi Rothschild, described the event as "the bomb that healed." The effects of the bombing were likely the opposite intended by the bombers. It brought the community together, and it strengthened the relations between the Jewish community and other communities. The bomb is still remembered today as a catalyst of positive racial and religious relations in Atlanta. 

Credits: Story

This online exhibition was created by Willie Lieberman, Archives Intern at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum.

Documents featured in the exhibition come from:

Mss 59, The Temple (Atlanta, Ga.) Records, The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Mss 82, Atlanta Jewish Federation Records,The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Mss 379, George Bright Papers, The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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