Collections
The Cofeld Judaic Collection at the Jewish Museum of Buffalo contains objects ranging in dates from 130AD to the present day. The objects include a large quantity of coins, Holocaust-related objects, historical objects connected to Western New York, and Judaica like menorahs, seder plates, yads, and more. Besides physical objects, the archives contain papers telling the story of the Jewish people, especially relating to Buffalo and Western New York. Papers such as passports, maps, marriage records, and arrival records of Jewish people arriving from other countries to the United States and many historical and religious books are stored in our collection. All of these items serve to tell a history of the Jewish people both as they relate to Buffalo and to the rest of the world.
The Dragon Menorah
The holiday Chanukah celebrates the miracle of a small jar of oil lasting eight days and eight nights after the second temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. This menorah, made of lead, dates to the 1940s, specifically World War II. It was created by soldiers stationed in Asia during the war, likely attempting to celebrate Chanukah while away from home. Interestingly, this menorah has eight candle holders, instead of either seven or nine, which could be due to a lack of resources during the war. This piece demonstrates the perseverance and resilience of Jewish soldiers in the army at that time.
G81-14a
Cofeld Judaic Collection, Jewish Museum of Buffalo
Given by Mr and Mrs Julius Mayer
Photographed by Adina Olbrys, Archivist
The 1699 Biblia Hebraica
Produced by the German Protestant theologian Daniel Ernst Jablonski, this 1699 Biblia Hebraica is considered one of the most accurate editions of the Hebrew Bible ever printed. It is renowned for its stunning typography and writing in multiple languages. Jablonski is well known for his efforts to unite the Lutheran and Calvinist Protestants and for co-founding the Berlin Academy of Sciences.
Cofeld Judaic Collection, Jewish Museum of Buffalo
Gift of Edward L. Warner
Photographed by Adina Olbrys, Archivist
Herbert A Hauptman’s
Nobel Prize
Born in New York City in February 1917, Herbert A. Hauptman had a passion for mathematics from a young age. By 1954, he had earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a PhD in mathematics. In 1970, he accepted a position as Research Director at the Medical Foundation of Buffalo, where he continued his work on x-ray crystallographic structure determination. In 1985, Dr. Hauptman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry with his colleague, Jerome Karle. He lived and continued his research in Buffalo until his death in 2011.
Cofeld Judaic Collection, Jewish Museum of Buffalo
Gift of Herbert A Hauptman
Photographed by Adina Olbrys, Archivist.
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