People

The Buffalo region has been home to a wide range of individuals associated with local Jewish communities and Jewish networks from the 1820s through to the contemporary period as immigrants, citizens, residents and locals.

Institutions

Buffalo Jews have a rich history of forming both formal and informal institutions for religious, educational, political and social needs. From synagogues to organizations, and from coordinating agencies to groups and clubs, Jewish Buffalonians have seen a changing range of institutions supported by group endeavors and community philanthropy.

Neighborhoods

In living memory, the East Side and North Buffalo stand out as physically connected and interwoven religious and commercial centers of Jewish living. In contrast to these specific areas are the mini hubs identified with Jewish living and connected to a more dispersed idea of neighborhood. Separately, suburbia with its significant geographic spread, has redefined how a series of Jewish spaces come together with a mix of hubs, focal points and networks.

Themes

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Exhibitions

Special exhibitions, through a focus on particular individuals and subjects, delves into the personal stories that have animated Jewish lives. Each digital exploration reflects on the interplay between place, identities and changing times and the way in which American, Jewish and Buffalo historical experiences are deeply interwoven.

Resources

Materials that document Jewish Buffalo in all its diversity are found in books, articles, archives and museums, many of which are available locally or online. This section highlights some of these sources and will be updated regularly.

Men of Buffalo: Rabbi Israel Aaron

Men of Buffalo: a collection of portraits of men who deserve to rank as typical representatives of the best citizenship, Chicago, A. N. Marquis & company, 1902, Clergy Men, Rev Israel Aaron, DD, Rabbi, Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, NY. p.406. Hathi Trust Digital Library, Open Source, 1902. 

People A-Z  /  Rabbi Israel Aaron

1859–1912

Overview

Born on November 20, 1859, in Lancaster, Philadelphia to Moses Aaron, a German Jewish immigrant from Hesse-Darmstadt, Israel Aaron’s birth was recorded in Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Philadelphia mohel records. Israel Aaron attended public schools and then studied at the Franklin and Marshall College and the University of Cincinnati, where he obtained a B. A.  At Hebrew Union College, also in Cincinnati, he was in the first rabbinical class in 1883, becoming the first ordained rabbi and Doctor of Divinity by the college. He was the author of articles published in the Jewish and the secular press, as well as a number of translations.

From 1883 to 1887 he served as rabbi at Fort Wayne, Indiana and married Emma Falk in 1886. In 1887, he was appointed to Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, New York. Active in the civic and cultural life of his city and a popular public speaker, Rabbi Aaron spearheaded the expansion of Beth Zion’s membership from 70 to several hundred. He also oversaw the building of a new temple building at 599 Delaware Avenue which was dedicated in 1891. When large number of Jewish immigrants made their home in Buffalo from Eastern Europe, he proposed the creation of a settlement style house to aid with acculturation, led by the Sisterhood of Zion.

The Sisterhood of Zion and the Daughters of the Star built Zion House for $5000 in 1891 that ran a multi-session kindergarten for new immigrant children on the East Side. In addition to his position as Honorary President of the Sisterhood of Zion, he was a member of the Executive Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Hebrew Union College. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Federated Charities, the fore-runner to the Buffalo Jewish Federation.

In 1912, he was honored at his 25th year of service to Temple Beth Zion and presented with a silver tea service set by members of the congregation. Tragically, just a few days after the celebration he died of an ear infection, at the age of 52.

Genealogy

Genealogy

Obituary

  • “Rev. Dr. Israel Aaron Dead: Buffalo Rabbi Dies After Celebration of Twenty-fifth Anniversary,” New York Times, May 16, 1912, p. 11.
  • Rabbi Israel Aaron, “The Jews of Buffalo,” The Reform Advocate, 15 June 1912, p. 30.

Gallery

Men of Buffalo: Rabbi Israel Aaron

Men of Buffalo: a collection of portraits of men who deserve to rank as typical representatives of the best citizenship, Chicago, A. N. Marquis & company, 1902, Clergy Men, Rev Israel Aaron, DD, Rabbi, Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, NY. p.406. Hathi Trust Digital Library, Open Source, 1902. 

Men of Buffalo: Rabbi Israel Aaron

Zion House

Zion House, Clipping, Buffalo Courier Express, c. 1902.

Zion House

Discover More

  • Archival Collection at the University Archives, University at Buffalo, Temple Beth Zion Records, 1864-2008 (Ms156)
  • Benjamin and Dr. Edgar R. Cofeld Judaic Museum, Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, NY: Temple Beth Zion series, Personnel Files and General Records.
  • Benjamin and Dr. Edgar R. Cofeld Judaic Museum, Temple Beth Zion, Holdings, Silver Service, gift of Lisa and Wende Dasteel
  • Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, NY website
  • The History Box biographical summary
  • Men of Buffalo: a collection of portraits of men who deserve to rank as typical representatives of the best citizenship, Chicago, A. N. Marquis & company, 1902, Clergy Men, p.406.
  • Adam Mendelsohn, “Aaron, Israel.” Encyclopaedia Judaica. Eds. Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007, p. 211. 22 vols. Gale Virtual Reference Library.