Legacy of Light: the Journey of Temple Beth Zion and Jewish Buffalo

Award-winning Antica Productions from Toronto, Ontario and native Buffalonian filmmaker Trisha Pickelhaupt, and the Blum Project team have created an inspirational short documentary which tells the story of Judaism, the Jews of Buffalo, and the monumental architecture of Temple Beth Zion of Buffalo. Temple Beth Zion, Western New York's largest Jewish congregation, chose to rebuild in the city of Buffalo after a devastating fire in 1961 at a time when others were fleeing to the suburbs.
This story of courage and hope advances the value of diversity and the vision Temple Beth Zion has pursued through 174 years of building good relationships with its neighbors. The film includes footage from the March on Washington and engaging content on Judaism and the history of the Jews of Buffalo. Interviews are diverse and include Dr. Chana R. Kotzin, curator and historian of the Cofeld Judaic Museum, Rev. Jonathan Staples of First Shiloh Baptist Church, Senior Rabbi Brent Gutmann of Temple Beth Zion and John Laping, the last living architect of the Delaware Avenue landmark building.
This film comprises part of the curricular content of the Blum Jewish Educational Project with workshops available for area schools. For more information on the project visit www.blumproject.org