Overview
Since the 1950s, the main growth area of Jewish living in Greater Buffalo area has been the suburbs. Small developments occurred before this decade, but were specific developments rather than related to community expansion. When the cemeteries at Pine Ridge were first established in the nineteenth century, the city was much smaller. As the urban footprint expanded, Cheektowaga became a first ring suburb. Country Club building in the 1920s marked the next phase of Jewish organizational building in the rural tracts outside the city, but it was the 1940s postwar housing boom that spurred suburban growth aided by the GI Bill and lower cost mortgages. From the establishment of Temple Sinai in 1952 to the relocation of the administrative offices of the central agencies of Jewish Buffalo at 2640 North Forest in 2012, as well as the relocation and growth of several institutions since, the suburbs have experienced the greater part of Jewish institutional and residential growth since last century’s midpoint.
Contribute to this page
We are particularly interested in locating materials for the Willowdale Country Club, a forerunner to the Westwood, and the Westwood itself. We would also like to trace materials or memories about organizations without dedicated buildings. For example, we have limited materials relating to the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee, Buffalo Chapter and no records relating to the National Council of Jewish Women prior to the 1980s. We are still seeking materials relating to Pioneer Women, the Nashelkers and other landsmannshaftn that remained active in the suburbs. If you have information on these or other networks and organizations, and would like to loan materials for scanning please contact us. Alternatively you can also upload materials here.
Documents
Kadimah at 50
“Rabbi Sara Rich Elected to Hillel Directors Cabinet”
Bnot Bee Line Newsletter, 1977
Bnot Bee Line Newsletter, 1977. Courtesy of Buffalo Hadassah.
Buffalo Hadassah Gloria Tetewsky, 1986
Ada Miller Newsletter, 1984
Hadassah Ruby Ball Program, 1961
Gallery
Leon Komm and Son Monuments Store and Yard, 1640-1648
Kadimah, 60th Anniversary, 1959-2019
Leon Komm and Son Monuments
Young Israel at Maple Road
Ritualarium, Amherst, NY
Hillel of Buffalo, 2013
Jewish Community Center Benderson Building
Jewish Community Center Benderson Building
Dedication of the Holocaust Memorial at the Jewish Community Center, Getzville, NY, 1977
Jewish War Veterans, Buffalo Frontier Post no. 25, Soldier’s Memorial
Donald Barish leading the Memorial Day Commemoration
Members of Jewish War Veterans
Buffalo Hadassah Myrtle Wreath Awardees, 1985-1986
Temple Sinai, Courtyard Artwork
Temple Sinai, Interior, Sanctuary
Temple Sinai, Sanctuary Tree of Life Donor Wall
Temple Sinai, Interior, Hallway Art Work
Temple Sinai, Entrance Way, Exterior
Temple Sinai, School Classrooms, Exterior
Temple Sinai, Sanctuary Exterior
Temple Sinai, Congregational Religious Seder, 1960s
Temple Sinai, Congregational pilgrimage to Israel
Temple Sinai, 14th Annual Convention of the Reconstructionist Federation of Congregation and Fellowships
Temple Sinai, Past Presidents, Twentieth Anniversary Dinner
Temple Sinai, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan 90th Birthday at Temple Beth Zion
Temple Sinai, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan 90th Birthday Candles
Temple Sinai, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan 90th Birthday
Temple Sinai, Celebrating Sukkot in the Sukkah, 1960s
L-R: David Busch, Cantor Alan Edwards, Ruth Goldman, Muriel House, Rabbi Gaynor, Edith Goldstein, Shale Freidman and Morris Sobel, 1960s.
Temple Sinai, Confirmation Class, Rabbi Paul Levenson, 1968
Temple Sinai, Bar Mitzvah Year, 1965
L-R: Leonard Goodman, Harold Axelrod, Center: Judith Kaplan Eisenstein, Edith Goldstein, Martin Wolpin, and Leon Siegel.
Temple Sinai, Bar Mitzvah Year Celebration, 1965
Temple Sinai, Lay Leaders with Rabbi Gaynor, 1960s
Temple Sinai, Religious School, 1960s
Temple Sinai, Boy Scout troop, 1960s
Nate Finkelstein, standing on left (with a badge on his arm) was a troop leader during the 1960s
Temple Sinai, Credit Union Dinner, 1960s
Temple Sinai, Celebrating Sukkot in the 1960s
Temple Sinai, Cornerstone
Temple Sinai, Synagogue Building Site, 1957
Temple Sinai, Members, Ruth and Joseph Bolinsky and Family
Temple Sinai, 1954
L-R, Cantor Sternberg, Louis Bunis, Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, Rabbi Nathan Gaynor and Harold Axelrod.
Temple Sinai, Religious School, 1950s
Temple Sinai, Installation of Rabbi Nathan Gaynor, 1954
L-R: Lester Gross, Rabbi Nathan Gaynor, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, and Louis Bunis, 1954.
Temple Sinai, Installation of Rabbi Nathan Gaynor (L) by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (R), 1954
Temple Sinai, First Shabbat Kiddush, 1953
Temple Sinai, Lyndale Avenue Synagogue, 1952
Tom Nusbaum, Congregation Havurah: The First Twenty-Five Years 1972-1997
Tom Nusbaum, Congregation Havurah: The First Twenty-Five Years 1972-1997, courtesy of Congregation Havurah, with permission of Tom Nusbaum and Terri Katz Kasimov.
Havurah Collage, 1970s
UAHC September 21, 1972, Affiliated member, Havurah
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Jerusalem of Gold by Irwin Mink
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Classroom
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Stained Glass, Reuven Closeup
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Minyan Room and Torah Scrolls
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Minyan Room
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Sanctuary Stained Glass Donation Roll
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Sanctuary Stained Glass 2
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Sanctuary Stained Glass 1
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Torah Scrolls
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Bimah
Temple Shaarey Zedek, Building Expansion Program, 1981-1982 Plaques
Temple Shaarey Zedek Officers, 1978-1979
Temple Shaarey Zedek Board 1970
Groundbreaking for Temple Shaarey Zedek
Chabad House on North Forest Road
Installation of a Torah for Shabbat and festival use at the Chabad Center
Dedication of New Synagogue, Remembering Our Heritage 1
Dedication of New Synagogue, Remembering Our Heritage 2
Dedication of New Synagogue, Inside the Sanctuary 2
Dedication of New Synagogue, Inside the Sanctuary 1
Dedication of New Synagogue, Entrance Hall with Memorial Plaque Names
Dedication of New Synagogue, Glass Windows
Dedication of New Synagogue, Opening Ceremony 3
Dedication of New Synagogue, Opening Ceremony 2
Dedication of New Synagogue, Opening Ceremony 1
Dedication of New Synagogue, Bringing in the Torah’s
Temple Beth Tzedek, Ceremonial Dig
Officers and Building Committee members of Temple Beth Tzedek at Groundbreaking Ceremony 2
Officers and Building Committee members of Temple Beth Tzedek at Groundbreaking Ceremony 1
Temple Beth Tzedek, Groundbreaking Signage
Finegold Alexander Architects Rendering Plans
Former Shaarey Zedek Sanctuary and Synagogue Complex
50th Anniversary Founder’s Dinner, Historical Display, 2005
50th Anniversary Program
Rabbi Daniel E. Kerman, 20th Anniversary
Temple Beth Am Ground Breaking Dance Program, 1970
Temple Beth Am Confirmation Class, 1978
Temple Beth Am Confirmation Class,1971
Past Presidents and Rabbi Kerman, 1982
Jack Kemp Soviet Jewry, 1979
First Mission to Washington D.C. for Buffalo-UJA 1979
Temple Beth Am, “We need a New Building”
Temple Beth Am, Expansion Program
Temple Beth Am, First Annual Ball, Program
Suburban Synagogue (Temple Beth Am), “The Imp and the Possible”
Temple Beth Am, Groundbreaking Ceremonies, 1959
“An Ark is Not a Boat” Musical Cast, 1956
Bar Mitzvah (Beth Am), Amherst Community Church, 1955
Suburban Synagogue (Beth Am) Amherst Community Church
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Sanctuary Doors
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Inside the Sanctuary
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Walkway with Stained Glass
Congregation B’nai Shalom, External Building
Ahavas Achim Cemetery entranceway
Articles
Downstate investors buy Buffalo Jewish Federation Apartments
Downstate investors buy Buffalo Jewish Federation Apartments, Buffalo Business First, August 14, 2019.
Jewish Federation Apartments sold to New York City firm
Jewish Federation Apartments sold to New York City firm, Buffalo News, August 14, 2019
Weinberg Campus moves closer to becoming Elderwood at Getzville
Tracey Drury, “Weinberg Campus moves closer to becoming Elderwood at Getzville.” Business First, January 25, 2019.
Jewish Heritage plans bigger school campus
Jewish Heritage plans bigger school campus, Buffalo Business First, February 11, 2013
Jewish Heritage Day sets sights on religious high school
Jewish Heritage Day sets sights on religious high school, Buffalo Business First, Mar 8, 2013
Retired doctor to get award for helping Jewish organizations
Retired doctor to get award for helping Jewish organizations, Buffalo News, September 18, 2011
David G. Brown, pharmacist and proponent of Jewish education
David G. Brown, pharmacist and proponent of Jewish education Jan. 3, 1937–Nov. 14, 2008, Buffalo News, November 15, 2008
Leonard S. Kaminker, Jewish community leader
Leonard S. Kaminker, Jewish community leader; April 26, 1923—April 1, 2012, Buffalo News, April 3, 2012
Rivke Klein Berkowitz, teacher, longtime advocate for Jewish education
Rivke Klein Berkowitz, teacher, longtime advocate for Jewish education, Buffalo News, November 16, 2015
Kadimah School Readies New Home 2 Campuses Unite Under One Roof
Kadimah School Readies New Home 2 Campuses Unite Under One Roof, Buffalo News, July 18, 2005
Beth Steinberg: Sharing school space has immense rewards
Beth Steinberg: Sharing school space has immense rewards, Buffalo News, July 21, 2014
Kadimah receives sizable donations
Kadimah receives sizable donations, Buffalo News, January 22, 2015
Additional articles regarding the Kadimah Scholars program
A New Beginning for an Old School: A Model for Small Communities
Jonathan D. Epstein, A New Beginning for an Old School: A Model for Small Communities, Prizmah, Thought Leadership, Dec 18, 2019
The Park School of Buffalo Kadimah Scholars Program
Kadimah Academy, Park School Announce Unique Partnership
New Model Press Release: Kadimah Academy, Park School Announce Unique Partnership, Kadimah Academy, Park School, Buffalo Jewish Federation, March 18, 2019
Celia Slohm Bernstein
Celia Slohm Bernstein, Buffalo News, October 17, 1989
Junior Hadassah Elects Celia Slohm President
Junior Hadassah Elects Celia Slohm President, Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Another Voice: U.N. resolution moves the peace process backward
Another Voice: U.N. resolution moves the peace process backward, Buffalo News, January 11, 2017
Buffalo Hadassah celebrates 90 years of service
Buffalo Hadassah celebrates 90 years of service, Amherst Bee, May 04, 2011
Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival to offer diverse mix
Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival to offer diverse mix, Buffalo News, Jul 22, 2020
My View: Israeli hospital offers lesson in diversity
My View: Israeli hospital offers lesson in diversity, Buffalo News, August 3, 2020
Another Voice: Hadassah pushes forward new vision for women’s health
Another Voice: Hadassah pushes forward new vision for women’s health, Buffalo News, May 12, 2019
Buffalo-area synagogues merge
Buffalo-area synagogues merge, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, April 25, 2012
2 Jewish congregations weigh merger Beth Am, Sinai facing dwindling memberships
2 Jewish congregations weigh merger Beth Am, Sinai facing dwindling memberships, Buffalo News, Feb 22, 2012
An emotional shalom as synagogue ends—and begins Temple Beth El holds final service as historic congregation merges
An emotional shalom as synagogue ends—and begins Temple Beth El holds final service as historic congregation merges, Buffalo News, June 10, 2008
Synagogues ready vote for May 14 on merging Shaarey Zedek, Beth El affected
Synagogues ready vote for May 14 on merging Shaarey Zedek, Beth El affected, Buffalo News, Apr 10, 2008
Members vote to merge two temples
Members vote to merge two temples, Buffalo News, May 16, 2008
Rabbi Succeeds Catholic Priest as Leader of Interfaith Ministry
Rabbi Succeeds Catholic Priest as Leader of Interfaith Ministry, Buffalo News, February 22, 1989
Time of change for Jewish community Shrinking numbers mean combining resources
Time of change for Jewish community Shrinking numbers mean combining resources, Buffalo News, July 23, 2020
Honor Soviet Emigres
Honor Soviet Emigres, Buffalo News, July 22, 2020
Cantor celebrates 25 years with synagogue
Cantor celebrates 25 years with synagogue, Amherst Bee, November 21, 2012
Trailblazing cantor Barbara Ostfeld to be honored
Trailblazing cantor Barbara Ostfeld to be honored, Buffalo News, November 9, 2012
Cantors: American Jewish Women
Cantors: American Jewish Women, Jewish Women’s Archive
Temple Beth Am Braille Group
Sisterhood’s Braille Group Received Grant, Buffalo News, August 12, 1990
Recollections by Rabbi Julius Kerman, father of Rabbi Daniel Kerman, recalling his childhood.
Recollections by Rabbi Julius Kerman, father of Rabbi Daniel Kerman, recalling his childhood., American Jewish Archives
Cantor celebrates 25 years with synagogue
“Cantor celebrates 25 years with synagogue,” Amherst Bee, 2012
Rabbi Perry Netter: Have a little patience when behind the wheel
“Rabbi Perry Netter: Have a little patience when behind the wheel,” An op-ed piece published in the Buffalo News and authored by the first full-time rabbi of Temple Beth Tzedek, Rabbi Perry Netter, 2016.
Three Buffalo Jewish leaders to travel to Israel on solidarity mission
Three Buffalo Jewish leaders to travel to Israel on solidarity mission, Buffalo News, Mar 25, 2016
Pittsburgh shooting victims honored at large Amherst event
Keith McShea,”Pittsburgh shooting victims honored at large Amherst event,” Buffalo News, Oct 29, 2018
Temple Beth Tzedek opens new sanctuary in Amherst
Stephen T. Watson, Temple Beth Tzedek opens new sanctuary in Amherst, Buffalo News, November 4, 2018
Bringing the Outside Inside Your Home: The urge to introduce nature into décor goes beyond living walls — and pandemics
Alix Strauss, “Bringing the Outside Inside Your Home: The urge to introduce nature into décor goes beyond living walls — and pandemics.” New York Times, May 31, 2020.
Concert to honor cantor killed in Flight 3407 crash
“Concert to honor cantor killed in Flight 3407 crash,” Buffalo News, January 31, 2014
My View: Ten years after tragedy, cantor’s presence felt
“My View: Ten years after tragedy, cantor’s presence felt,” Buffalo News, December 30, 2018.
Susan Wehle and Gunilla Kester, Songs of Healing & Hope
Susan Wehle and Gunilla Kester, Songs of Healing & Hope
Remembering Susan Wehle
Remembering Susan Wehle, 3407memorial.com
Shir Shalom will mark retirement of rabbi
“Shir Shalom will mark retirement of rabbi” Buffalo News, June 28, 2013
Two temples merging into Congregation Shir Shalom
Congregation Shir Shalom Merger: “Two temples merging into Congregation Shir Shalom,” Buffalo News, Apr 25, 2012