Temple Beth Zion

Temple Beth Zion is a Reform Jewish synagogue located at 805 Delaware Avenue, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, in the United States. Founded in 1850, Temple Beth Zion is the largest Jewish congregation in Western New York and one of the oldest and largest Reform congregations in the nation. Originally an Orthodox congregation, TBZ reorganized as a Reform congregation in 1863.

The Max Abramovitz-designed circular Modernist building features ten scallop walls, each a symbol of the 10 commandments, and two 30-foot-high commandment tablets. The synagogue walls rise 45 feet from the entrance, flaring outward at 15 degrees, firmly anchored to a pedestal 50 feet below ground level. Ben Shahn, an artist, painter and calligrapher, designed the sanctuary's stained windows, the Commandment Tablets, and the menorah.