The photographs and other materials that form the content of this collection relate specifically to the religious and social life of Temple Beth El of Niagara Falls, a Reform synagogue in Niagara Falls located at 720 Ashland Avenue, Niagara Falls, New York. The synagogue was founded in 1864 and affiliated with the American Jewish Reform central organizing umbrella entity in 1887, which was then known as the UAHC (United American Hebrew Congregations). Official incorporation of Temple Beth El of Niagara Falls followed in 1905. Until they were able to raise the funds to build their own building, they met in various venues including Colt’s Hall on Main and Ontario, the Silberbergs store at Main and Niagara and the “new” Silberbergs store, also on Main Street (as the Silberberg family were active members of the synagogue). In 1914, after land was purchased at 720 Ashland Ave, the cornerstone was dedicated and the building was completed in 1915. By 1926, Temple Beth El expanded their site, adding more classrooms to allow a growing community religious school that drew its students from area Orthodox (Tenth Street) and the Conservative synagogue (Temple Beth Israel) as well as Reform Jewish families. Links with Buffalo Jewry have been part of the ongoing history of Temple Beth El. Current rabbi, Drorah Setel is from Buffalo and is also active in the Buffalo Jewish community. Rabbi Martin Goldberg served as rabbi after his retirement from Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo in the 1990s, while Rabbi Samson Falk, also of Temple Beth Zion helped start the Shabbat School in the 1880s.