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
Some nice intro blah blah
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.
The Ustingrader Unterstitzung Verein (UUV) was founded in 1913 as an immigrant benefit club that provided social, credit and death benefits to its members with Sokolivka roots.
Holy Order of the Living was founded in 1909 to provide burial rights according to Orthodox ritual. The cemetery is located in Cheektowaga on Pine Ridge Road and remains closely associated with descendants of the Sokolivka community in Buffalo.
Sokolivka: Once Home Locating SokolivkaSokolivka-Ustingrad, 1846, permission of Chaim Buryak, Ukranian Jewish History.IntroductionThe Jewish community of Sokolivka formed in the second half of the 18th century in what is present day Ukraine and was then part of the...
David Sultz, Studying in the Shul, Sokolivka-Ustingrad as reproduced in Sokolivka-Ustingrad Reunion Booklet, 1991. Ferne Mittleman Research Collection, Cofeld Judaic Museum.
Sokolivka: Once Home Life in SokolivkaDavid Sultz, Sokolivka-Ustingrad on Market Day as reproduced in Sokolivka-Ustingrad Reunion Booklet, 1991. Ferne Mittleman Research Collection, Cofeld Judaic Museum. A Country Life Sokolivka-Ustingrad was arranged in a horseshoe...
Sokolivka: Once Home PogromMemorial at the Cemetery of Holy Order of the Living. Image by Chana Revell Kotzin, 2021.Remembering the PogromsDuring and after WWI, Jewish residents of Sokolivka-Ustingrad were increasingly subject to harassment and attacks by soldiers,...
Sokolivka: Once Home Flight and EmigrationPozarny Freida Certificate of Naturalization 1928. Courtesy of Rolene Pozarny. Overview Emigration from Sokolivka happened in multiple waves over two decades before and after WWI and the Russian Revolution that instituted the...
Sokolivka: Once Home Beginning AgainMembers of the Ustingrader Unterstitzung Verein Drum Corps and Patrol, 1943. Courtesy of Sue and Eric Recoon.Community BuildingSokolivka emigres began community institutions as soon as they arrived in Buffalo in the early twentieth...
Sokolivka: Once Home Buffalo—Now HomeUstingrader Unterstitzung Verein Ladies Auxiliary at a social event at the Town Casino in Williamsville, NY, c. 1940s. Courtesy of Sue and Eric Recoon.Making a life in FreedomThe initial immigrant Sokelifke generation worked low...
Sokolivka: Once Home Sokolifkers are BeautifulSlutsky Cousin Club with members of the Recoon and Shuman families, courtesy of Sue and Eric Recoon.Nostalgia and ReunionBy the time of the first major reunion of Sokolivker descendants took place in Buffalo over 1990 to...
Edith and Morris Carrel’s 50th Wedding Anniversary, Temple Emanu-el. Top row, left to right: Ruthie Carrel (Birnberg); Harold Carrel, Harry Carrel; Abe Carrel; Avram Finger; Louis Finger; Hy Carrel; Dickie Carrel Bobby Carrel; Alan Carrel (Baby). Jacob (Jack) Carrel. Bottom row, left to right: Jennie Carrel; Gert Carrel; Fannie Carrel; Edith (Berkwitt) Carrel; Morris Carrel; (standing) Ruthie Finger; Manya Carrel Finger; Lillian Carrel; Arlene Carrel (Goldstein); On floor left to tight: Donald Carrel; Jerome (Jerry) Carrel. Courtesy of Ellen and Amy Goldstein.
Sokolivka: Once Home ResourcesEdith and Morris Carrel’s 50th Wedding Anniversary, Temple Emanu-el. Top row, left to right: Ruthie Carrel (Birnberg); Harold Carrel, Harry Carrel; Abe Carrel; Avram Finger; Louis Finger; Hy Carrel; Dickie Carrel Bobby Carrel; Alan Carrel...