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.

People A-Z  /  Harlan C. Abbey

Journalist. Horseman. Author.

1930–2014

Overview

Harlan C. Abbey was a newspaper sportswriter, author, newspaper editor, horse rider and racer and horse owner. Born in Cleveland, he developed an early passion for horses and worked as a riding instructor. He graduated from University of Missouri in Kansas City in 1952 and after training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, he served from 1953 to 1955 in Seoul, South Korea, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. While stationed abroad he edited the Army newspaper. After military service, he studied journalism at Northwestern University, earning a master’s degree in 1956. He then worked for two Western New York newspapers writing sports copy for the Union Sun and Journal and the Buffalo Courier-Express. Fully immersed in the world of horse riding, he authored two books, Showing Your Horse: Blue Ribbon Horsemanship, and Horses and Horse Shows, in 1970, and 1980. On the closing of the Buffalo Courier-Express, he became managing editor of the Buffalo Jewish Review, but continued reporting on horse racing. With friends he owned several off-track thoroughbred horses. He continued to ride horses up to the age 79.

Books Written By Harlan Abbey

Harlan C. Abbey, Showing Your Horse: Blue Ribbon Horsemanship, A. S. Barnes, 1970.

Harlan C. Abbey, Horses and Horse Shows, A S Barnes & Co; First Edition, 1980.

Genealogy

Genealogy

Obituary

Books Written and Articles about Harlan Abbey

Discover More

Archival Collection at the University Archives, University at Buffalo