Temple Beth Zion (Buffalo, New York)

 synagogue, jews

On 21 June, 1964, Rabbi Joseph L. Fink, accompanied by the architect, Max Abramovitz (of the firm Harrison and Abramovitz, who planned both the United Nations Headquarters and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York) broke ground for Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo's Delaware District. Almost three years later, on 15 April, 1967, the completed building was dedicated.

The building is perhaps an architecturally striking place of worship in the city. Curved sheets of Alabama limestone, its soaring ten scalloped walls (cupped hands) are symbolic of the Ten commandments. They pitch outward as a representation of man's arms, outstretched in prayer.

The interior of the building continues the striking appearance of the exterior. The walls are bathed in a diffused natural light resulting from the skylights ringing the perimeter of the building.

The 1,100 seat auditorium, designed by Abramovitz, focuses upon two thirty-foot-high Commandment Tablets flanking the highly noted east wall window. Ben Shahn's design features the first letter of each commandment in mosaic, followed by the rest of the text in gold leaf.

Created by artist Ben Shahn, the east window behind the ark tells the story of the Lord speaking to Job through a whirlwind. The Henry Lee Willett Studios of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, executed the forty-foot-tall window.

The west stained-glass window, also created by Shahn, represents the 150th Psalm.

Shahn also designed the menorah of brass and clear glass.

The 48 rank, 4,000 pipe organ features trumpets from the Lafayette Theater organ. The organ was built by the Casavant Freres Company.

The Cofeld Judaic Museum is housed behind the synagogue.

www.tbz.org/