Temple Beth Zion (Buffalo, New York)

Temple Beth Zion
Basic information
Location 805 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, New York,
United States
Geographic coordinates 42°54′23″N 78°52′18″W / 42.9063442°N 78.8717827°W / 42.9063442; -78.8717827Coordinates: 42°54′23″N 78°52′18″W / 42.9063442°N 78.8717827°W / 42.9063442; -78.8717827
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Sanctuary
Status Active
Leadership Senior Rabbi: Gary Pokras Assistant Rabbi: Laurie Green
Website www.tbz.org/index.html
Architectural description
Architect(s) Max Abramovitz
Architectural style Modern
Groundbreaking June 21, 1964
Completed 1966-1967
Specifications
Capacity 1,000
Height (max) 62 feet (18.9 m)
Materials Alabama limestone

Temple Beth Zion is a Reform synagogue located at 805 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1850, Temple Beth Zion is the largest Jewish congregation in Western New York and one of the oldest and largest Reform congregations in the nation. The circular building features 10 scallop walls, each a symbol of the 10 commandments. [1] The temple contains a Casavant Frères 48-rank, 4000-pipe organ.

The Benjamin and Dr. Edgar R. Cofeld Judaic Museum, open during regular hours, features a rotating collection of Judaica.[2]

Previous buildings

Temple Beth Zion, 1896

Before building their current home, the congregation worshiped in two previous buildings. The first building was the old Niagara Street Methodist Church (between Pearl Street and Franklin Street). The church was renovated, rededicated, and used as the home of Temple Beth Zion until 1886. The second building was a Byzantine-styled, copper-domed temple built in 1890, and located at 599 Delaware Avenue (now Buffalo Clinical Research Center). That building was destroyed in a fire in 1961. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Garner, Robyn (2006). "Temple Beth Zion Building Facilities". Temple Beth Zion. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  2. ↑ "TBZ Places & Spaces". Temple Beth Zion. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  3. ↑ LaChiusa, Chuck (2003). "Temple Beth Zion - History". Buffalo as History. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
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