Synagogues / Temple Beth Tzedek
Overview
Temple Beth Tzedek was established in 2008 through the merger of two existing synagogues associated with Conservative Judaism: Temple Beth El and Temple Shaarey Zedek. Facing changing demographics, the two congregations joined forces in 2008. With this merger, over 150 years of Jewish history and the collective histories of several congregational histories came together. As the first Jewish congregation in Buffalo, Temple Beth El had been established as Congregation Beth-el in 1847. In contrast, Temple Shaarey Zedek, a forty-year old congregation had a history of merger built into its founding. It brought the combined histories of Temple Emanu-El, Temple Beth David-Ner Israel, Temple Beth David, Congregation Ohev Zedek and New Israel Congregation together. After the merger, in 2011 Temple Beth Tzedek absorbs assets of Temple Beth Israel of Niagara Falls and in 2017, the combined history of Anshe Lubavitz, Ahavas Achim, Ahavas Achim-Lubavitz and Congregation B’nai Shalom became another part of the Temple Beth Tzedek story. This last incorporation was further cemented, as Temple Beth Tzedek broke ground for a new sanctuary on the former site of Congregation B’nai Shalom in 2017.
In its decision to sell its former home at Getzville Road, the congregation has planned for a more appropriately sized, modern and more flexible worship space for its members. This thoughtfully combined space, whose overall footprint was planned by a committee headed by Harvey Sanders, Temple Beth Tzedek was able to re-use an existing commercial kitchen and social hall area, as well as add a minyan space, administrative offices and multipurpose areas, rooms for teaching, meetings and convening. It has also enabled the design of an award-winning sanctuary that gives a view into the natural surroundings recalling the style of historic wooden synagogues in the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth. Designed by Moe Finegold, a principal at Finegold Alexander Architects, the timber arched sanctuary forms both a boundless yet intimate space. The10,000-square-foot addition with a 60 feet wide and 35 feet high window behind the ark, has incorporated the twelve tribes in stained glass montages from Shaarey Zedek, connecting congregants to nature, history and identity.
Gallery
Historical display, “Remembering Our Heritage,” with images of predecessor congregations along timeline created by the Jewish Buffalo Archives Project, with space for image of new synagogue below groundbreaking images, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Remembering Our Heritage 1
Historical display, “Remembering Our Heritage,” with images of predecessor congregations along timeline created by the Jewish Buffalo Archives Project, includes benefactor area for future use, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Remembering Our Heritage 2
New Temple Beth Tzedek sanctuary begins to fill for the opening dedication ceremony, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Inside the Sanctuary 2
Inside the new sanctuary, with the twelve tribes stained glass originally created for Temple Shaarey Zedek. From L-R, Cantor Mark Spindler and Ed Case, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Inside the Sanctuary 1
Wall of memorial plaques derived from the memorial boards previously at Temple Beth Tzedek location at Getzville Road, and all previous predecessor congregations photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Entrance Hall with Memorial Plaque Names
Former B’nai Shalom glass windows from social hall rescued from Ahavas Achim, in the Temple Beth Tzedek new minyan room, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Glass Windows
Ribbon Cutting ceremony officially opening the new Temple Beth Tzedek synagogue complex, from L-R, Helen Weinstein, Ed Case and Harvey Sanders, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Opening Ceremony 3
Ribbon Cutting ceremony officially opening the new Temple Beth Tzedek synagogue complex, from L-R, Helen Weinstein, Ed Case and Harvey Sanders, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Opening Ceremony 2
Opening speeches at the new Temple Beth Tzedek synagogue complex, L-R, Helen Weinstein, Linda Steinhorn, Ed Case, Andy Gewurz and Norman Weiss (in front of bow), photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Opening Ceremony 1
Dedication of New Synagogue, Bringing in the Torah's from Getzville Road, Kotzin, 2018 render as Torah procession from Getzville Road location arrives at the new Temple Beth Tzedek synagogue complex, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2018, used with permission.
Dedication of New Synagogue, Bringing in the Torah’s
Bulldozer creates the first ceremonial “dig” at the Groundbreaking ceremony-3, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2017, used with permission.
Temple Beth Tzedek, Ceremonial Dig
Officers and Building Committee members of Temple Beth Tzedek at Groundbreaking ceremony, L-R, Andy Gewurz, Lisa Wallenfels, Ed Case, Brian Snyder, MD, Lisa Benson, MD, Helen Weinstein, Bernard Weinstein, Lynn Catalano, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2017, used with permission.
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, L-R, Jerry Markzon, Lisa Wallenfels, Janet Gunner, Ed Case, Alan Goldstein, Jeff Blum and Harvey Sanders, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2017, used with permission.
Officers and Building Committee members of Temple Beth Tzedek at Groundbreaking Ceremony 1
Siting the groundbreaking ceremony signage, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2017, used with permission.
Temple Beth Tzedek, Groundbreaking Signage
Finegold Alexander Architects rendering plans for new purpose-built Temple Beth Tzedek at North Forest Road, connecting to former B’nai Shalom synagogue, photograph created by Chana R. Kotzin, 2017, used with permission.
Finegold Alexander Architects Rendering Plans
Former Shaarey Zedek sanctuary and synagogue complex, and the first site of Temple Beth Tzedek, photograph created by Izon Productions-Don Dannecker, 2013. Courtesy of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies.
Former Shaarey Zedek Sanctuary and Synagogue Complex
Articles
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.
Contribute to this Page
If you have materials you’d like to make available for historical purpose, please contact Temple Beth Tzedek.
Thank You
Our thanks to individual donors, The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, and Temple Beth Tzedek for source materials and links used in the creation of this entry.