Congregation Shir Shalom stands at a unique time in the history of its members and all Jewish people. On July 1, 2012 when Congregation Shir Shalom officially began, it was the first merger of a Reform and a Reconstructionist Temple ever to occur. The merger was motivated by our desire to strengthen both Temples by our union. However, just as important, both Temples felt strongly that its members could share, celebrate, and grow in the diversity provided by the rich history and traditions of both branches of Judaism.

OUR HISTORY

Temple Beth Am
In 1954, a group of 12 people got together to create Buffalo´s first suburban congregation for Reform Judaism, which became its temporary name. Initially, a church shared its space with the new congregation. Then in 1958 a new young rabbi named Dan Kerman came to lead the congregation. One year later, a new building was erected on Sheridan Drive in Amherst and the congregation changed its name to Temple Beth Am. The next decade saw expansion of the building with a sanctuary and a full kitchen.

When our beloved Rabbi Kerman passed away unexpectedly, a new rabbi, Steve Mason, arrived to help. He quickly captured the admiration of the congregation. With the help of Marlene and Marshall Glickman, Temple Beth Am expanded its religious school to provide religious instruction to the growing congregation.

Along with Rabbi Mason, the Temple also was fortunate to have a very dedicated and talented couple, Barbara Ostfeld and Mark Horowitz for many years. Barbara was the first ordained female cantor in the Reform Movement. She served as the Temple´s cantor until leaving in 2002. Her husband, Cantor Mark Horowitz, served as a dedicated educational director of the religious school over the same period. When Rabbi Mason left to join a Temple in Chicago, Rabbi Michael Feshbach joined the Temple for several years and he was followed by Rabbi Ron Herstik and finally Rabbi Irwin Tanenbaum.

Shortly after Rabbi Tanenbaum arrived, the Temple hired a new cantorial soloist, Susan Wehle. Susan had previously been the cantorial soloist at Temple Sinai, but she left to take the position at Temple Beth Am. Susan´s wonderful voice, her loving and passionate spirit for Judaism, and her welcoming smile captured the imagination of the congregation. Her warmth and love for all people led her to make the first connections between the Jewish and Muslim communities in Buffalo. In the many programs she initiated, she brought both children and adults together through discussion to embrace a mutual understanding of one another. Tragically, Susan´s life was taken as a passenger on the ill-fated Continental flight 3704 in 2009. Cantor Sharon Colbert, who also previously worked with Temple Sinai, was selected to succeed Susan Wehle. Rabbi Tanenbaum and Cantor Colbert have guided the Temple through its merger with Temple Sinai.

Temple Sinai
Temple Sinai was the fourth congregational member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation and the first synagogue that was actually founded as a Reconstructionist congregation. It also was the first synagogue in the Buffalo suburbs. In 1952, a few founding families sought to bring a new type of Judaism to the Buffalo area. One that was authentically Jewish, but also unafraid to challenge tradition. They were attracted to the writings of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, one of the first rabbis to look at Judaism from an American perspective. His book "Judaism as a Civilization" published in 1934 really served as a blueprint for a new model of Judaism. Kaplan encouraged participation, creativity, and equality. Read more about Reconstructionist Judaism.

About these early years, the first president of Temple Sinai, Louis Bunis wrote: "Some twelve years ago my mind and eyes were suddenly opened to what I, personally, was really looking for. This happened when we invited Dr. Ira Eisenstein, one of the founders of the Reconstructionist movement, to discuss with us the philosophy with which we are now so familiar. That very evening I realized that I could never be happy until I was able to live within that concept and work toward its fulfillment. We made good progress in these few short years. There is still much to be accomplished. I know we will go forward from strength to strength."

From its earliest days, Temple Sinai was unafraid to challenge the status quo. In 1960, Ruth Goldman became Temple Sinai´s first woman president and only the fourth such in the country, heading up a board of 24 men and only 8 women. Temple Sinai also hosted the first national conference of the Reconstructionist movement in 1956 and at a conference in the 1960s convinced Mordecai Kaplan of the need to start a rabbinical college. Read more about the early years here.

Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein joined Temple Sinai in 2008. As a warm, enthusiastic, and compassionate leader, he guided Temple Sinai through its merger with Congregation Shir Shalom. He brings a vibrant and thoughtful vision to our new home.

Temple Sinai´s rich and historic past continues to grow and touch Jewish lives as a vital and founding block of Congregation Shir Shalom. It continues as a vibrant center of Reconstructionist Judaism, believing strongly in egalitarianism and promoting religious tradition, as well as creativity in worship and Jewish life.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

We offer a wide variety of spiritual opportunities to our members and to all interested in exploring Jewish life including

• Erev Shabbat Service
• Shabbat morning worship
• Torah study
• High Holy Day and Festival services
• Family Shabbat services
• Shabbatot for the very young and their siblings
• Creative family holiday experiences

EDUCATION

The Marshall & Marlene Glickman Center for Jewish Learning is one of Western New York´s largest Jewish Religious Schools. It offers unique opportunities for parental participation and experiential education including

• A pioneer Chalutzim Center for children with special needs
• Bagels & Babies for parents and children under two
• Ganeinu for parents and children of nursery school age
• Religious school through Confirmation
• Opportunities to participate in a High School Program
• A diverse program of life-long learning with both daytime and evening options

AUXILIARIES

The Temple has an active

• Sisterhood
• Men´s Group
• Outreach program for interfaith families
• Youth group affiliated with both No´ar Hadash and NFTY
• Participation in Camp JRF (the Reconstructionist camp)
• Junior Youth Group

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Temple members reach out to the community through many social action projects including

• Food drives for Thanksgiving (the Thanksgiving Basket Project feeds over 500 families a year) and the High Holy Days
• Annual Walk Off Hunger walkathon for the Food Bank of WNY
• Joint activities with neighboring faith communities
• Supporting a Buffalo inner-city public school
• Supporting local homeless shelters
• Shabbat dinners at Weinberg Campus
• Support for people who were ill, recently discharged from the hospital, or sitting Shiva

OTHER RESOURCES

The Temple also includes

• Two libraries - an adult library and the Morris and Gussie Spivack Memorial Youth Library
• A fully stocked Judaica shop
• Rotating art exhibits
• An oudoor tent area for religious and social activities in summer months
• A social hall for events with up to 300 people
• A youth activities room
• A Braille center
• A fully-equipped kitchen

Many of the Temple´s programs are open to the entire community.