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.

Gallery

Ahavas Sholem

Sherwin Greenberg, Ahavas Sholem, Benjamin and Dr. Edgar Cofeld Judaic Museum. Reproduced with the permission of Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, NY.

Ahavas Sholem

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Anshe Emes

Photograph of Plaque created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2017. The image is reproduced with permission of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Anshe Emes

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Anshe Lubavitz

Anshe Lubavitz in Oscar Israelowitz, ed. Synagogues of the United States: A Photographic and Architectural Survey, Israelowitz Publishing, NY, 1992. Reproduced with the permission of the editor.

Anshe Lubavitz

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Anshe Zedek

Star of David Entranceway into Saranac Shul, created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2017. The image is reproduced with permission of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Anshe Zedek

Synagogues  /  Anshe ZedekAnshe Zedek was originally founded as Ohev Zedek in 1925, otherwise known as the Hungarian Synagogue. Following a name change to Anshe Zedek, the congregation purchased 85 Saranac Avenue in 1931. In 1952 the shul changed its name to...

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Beth Jacob

Beth Jacob in Oscar Israelowitz, ed. Synagogues of the United States: A Photographic and Architectural Survey, Israelowitz Publishing, NY, 1992, p. 69. Reproduced with the permission of the editor.

Beth Jacob

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Brith Israel-Anshe Ames

Brith Israel Anshe Ames Synagogue basement entrance created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2017. The image is reproduced with permission of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Brith Israel-Anshe Ames

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Brith Sholem

Pine Street Shul meeting, with Louis Bookbinder and Louis Freedman, c.1930. Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of Nancy Freedman Schiller.

Brith Sholem

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Chabad House of Buffalo

Chabad House located at 3292 Main Street, July 12, 1978, Collection of The Buffalo History Museum. General photograph collection, Buildings - Religious – Synagogues

Chabad House of Buffalo

Organizations  /  Chabad House of BuffaloChabad House of Buffalo began as an outreach program to college age students at the University at Buffalo campuses and Buffalo State College in the early 1970s. It continues that mission today.OverviewIn 1971 Rabbi Noson Gurary...

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Congregation B’nai Shalom

Congregation B'nai Shalom, External Building, created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2013. The image is reproduced with permission of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Congregation B’nai Shalom

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