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.

Congregation Beth Abraham, Exterior of Building in 2017

Congregation Beth Abraham, Exterior of Building in 2017, created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2017. The image is reproduced with permission of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Neighborhoods  /  West Side

The Jewish West Side encompasses areas west of Delaware Avenue and includes Allentown, Richmond Avenue, Elmwood and Forest Lawn.

Overview

This broad area is not a single neighborhood but a series of scattered institutions including Congregation Beth Abraham, the former Temple Beth Israel, the former Rosa Coplon Jewish Home and the former Temple Beth El on Richmond Avenue. The histories of these institutions span the 1910s through the 1960s, with a recent revival of Congregation Beth Abraham within the last decade.

Contribute to this page

Congregation Beth Abraham are building their archives and are looking for help with their efforts. If you have materials, please contact them here.  We are especially interested in the Jewish commercial life in and around Elmwood Avenue and the residential development around Richmond Avenue. If you have materials you are able to share, please contact us using our Jewish Businesses form, or upload materials here.

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West Side Location Map

Articles

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Documents

Gallery

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