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.

Exhibitions

Sokolivka: Once Home

Chaika Aliotz Shuman and Peretz Shuman with the extended Aliotz Family, c. 1914. Courtesy of Charlie Shuman.

Sokolivka, Sokliefka, Sokolifke … So many names for such a small place on earth, but no matter how families spelled it, it always meant one thing: Once Home. A small village first in the Russian Empire, then in the USSR, now in modern day Ukraine—a shtetl, located on one side of a large pond, and then moved across the bridge to the other side. Each physical place in hearts and memories remained “Sokolivka.” Forced to leave first by edict, later in hope of a better life elsewhere, then finally, by escape after attack and pogrom. As immigrants and refugees, Sokolivkers made new homes in Buffalo, New York, keeping family ties strong, always remembering  Sokolivka: Once Home.

The Exhibition

Locating Sokolivka

Locating Sokolivka

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...

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Life in Sokolivka

Life in Sokolivka

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...

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Pogrom

Pogrom

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,...

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Flight and Emigration

Flight and Emigration

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...

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Beginning Again

Beginning Again

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...

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Buffalo—Now Home

Buffalo—Now Home

 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...

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Sokolifkers are Beautiful

Sokolifkers are Beautiful

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...

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Sokolivka: Once Home Resources

Sokolivka: Once Home Resources

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...

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Sokolivka: Once Home Acknowledgments

Sokolivka: Once Home Acknowledgments

Sokolivka: Once Home AcknowledgmentsLeslie Shuman with Irv, Marilyn and Cathy Shuman and the extended Shuman family, 1960s. Courtesy of Charlie Shuman.In Loving Memory Leslie Shuman Kramer Community leader, activist and advocate. 1961-2022Our thanks to Leslie Shuman...

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In Loving Memory

Leslie Shuman Kramer

Community leader, activist and advocate.

1961-2022

Read Leslie's Story

Our thanks to Leslie Shuman Kramer (z”l) for her leadership and life example. You are missed and always in our hearts. Our thanks to the Kramer Family and Shuman Family for supporting this exhibition.