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.

Temple Beth El congregational locations before 1909

Temple Beth El congregational locations before 1909, Centenary Anniversary Booklet, Temple Beth El Collection, Courtesy of TBZ Cofeld Judaic Museum.

Neighborhoods  /  Downtown

Downtown is associated with commercial Jewish history and has connections to significant historical events as the site of a utopian address in 1825 and the location of the first synagogue established in Buffalo.

Overview

From the pomp of Mordecai Manuel Noah’saddress declaring nearby Grand Island a refuge for oppressed foreign Jews, to the first home of Temple Beth El on Pearl Street, the downtown area has been home to Jewish agencies and Jewish businesses including LL Berger and many smaller retailers, some of whom relocated to other parts of the city or the suburbs.

Contribute to this page

We are seeking materials relating to the Jewish commercial histories of this area and welcome your contributions. You can complete our Jewish businesses form and upload materials here.

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Downtown Location Map

Documents

Gallery

Yom HaShoah commemoration

Yom HaShoah commemoration, 1983. Includes Rabbi Shay Mintz, Michael Hyman, RubIn Literman, Mayor Jimmy Griffin and Toby Back. Jewish Community Center Collection, Permission of the University Archives, University at Buffalo.

Yom HaShoah commemoration

Jewish War Veterans with Ararat-Stone

Jewish-War Veterans with Ararat-Stone. Collection of The Buffalo History Museum. Jewish War Veterans Buffalo Frontier Post no.25 collection Mss. B2016-01 Photographs 1935-1941. Collection of The Buffalo History Museum. Used with Permission.

Jewish War Veterans with Ararat-Stone

Ararat Marker at St Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, NY

Ararat Marker at St Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, NY to mark the place of a dedicatory ceremony for Ararat with Mordecai Manuel Noah on September 15, 1825, photograph created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2013. Courtesy of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.

Ararat Marker at St Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, NY

Read More: History Panel at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, NY

Temple Beth El, Elm Street Synagogue, c1909

Temple Beth El, Elm Street synagogue, c1909. Photographer unknown, Ms222, Temple Beth El Collection, University Archives, University at Buffalo, State University of New York at Buffalo, used with permission.

Temple Beth El, Elm Street Synagogue, c1909

Judah Toura plaque to honor his bequest to Beth El

Judah Toura plaque to honor his bequest to Beth El, undated, photograph created by Frederic Marschall, Ms222, Temple Beth El Collection, University Archives, University at Buffalo, State University of New York at Buffalo, used with permission.

Judah Toura plaque to honor his bequest to Beth El