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Temple Beth Israel (Niagara Falls, New York)

1898 establishments in New York (state)19th-century synagogues21st-century attacks on synagogues and Jewish communal organizations in the United StatesBuildings and structures in Niagara Falls, New YorkFormer synagogues in New York (state)
Jewish organizations established in 1898Synagogues completed in 1967
Destiny Christian Church fmr Temple Beth Israel Niagara Falls, New York 20230128
Destiny Christian Church fmr Temple Beth Israel Niagara Falls, New York 20230128

Temple Beth Israel (Hebrew: בית ישראל) was a synagogue located at 905 College Avenue in Niagara Falls, New York. Founded in 1898 and formally incorporated in 1905 as an Orthodox synagogue, it hired its first rabbi in 1916, and joined the Conservative movement in 1931.The congregation moved to its most recent building in 1967, and soon afterwards membership peaked at over 180 families, but by 2008 had been reduced to 50. From 2005 to 2007 the synagogue was repeatedly targeted by vandals; after some of these incidents a federal investigation was started and two people were arrested, convicted, and sentenced.Samuel Porrath served as rabbi from 1931 to 1934, and, though employed elsewhere, would subsequently often serve as interim rabbi; he was appointed "rabbi emeritus" in 1968. Melvin Kieffer was the congregation's longest serving rabbi, from 1947 to 1957. Haim Cassorla, Beth Israel's last rabbi, served from 1988 to 1995. In the 2000s, its president was Dr. Lawrence Wolfgang. In May 2011 the congregation stated it would disband by the end of the year.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Temple Beth Israel (Niagara Falls, New York) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Temple Beth Israel (Niagara Falls, New York)
College Avenue, City of Niagara Falls

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Latitude Longitude
N 43.122255 ° E -79.053038 °
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Address

College Avenue 905
14305 City of Niagara Falls
New York, United States
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Destiny Christian Church fmr Temple Beth Israel Niagara Falls, New York 20230128
Destiny Christian Church fmr Temple Beth Israel Niagara Falls, New York 20230128
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Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge
Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge

The Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge stood from 1855 to 1877 across the Niagara River and was the world's first working railway suspension bridge. It spanned 825 feet (251 m) and stood 2.5 miles (4.0 km) downstream of Niagara Falls, where it connected Niagara Falls, Ontario to Niagara Falls, New York. Trains used the upper of its two decks, while pedestrians and carriages used the lower. The bridge was the idea of Canadian politicians, and it was built by an American company and a Canadian company. It was most commonly called the Suspension Bridge, although other names included Niagara Railway Suspension Bridge, Niagara Suspension Bridge, and its official American name of the International Suspension Bridge. The bridge was part of Canadian politician William Hamilton Merritt's vision to promote trade within his country and with its neighbor the United States. Many argued that a suspension bridge could not support the safe passage of trains, including bridge builders. Nonetheless, the bridge companies hired Charles Ellet Jr., who laid a line by a kite across the 800-foot (240 m) chasm and built a temporary suspension bridge in 1848. Ellet left the project after a financial dispute with the bridge companies, who hired John Augustus Roebling to complete the project. By 1854, his bridge was nearly complete, and the lower deck was opened for pedestrian and carriage travel. On March 18, 1855, a fully laden passenger train officially opened the completed bridge. The Suspension Bridge was a border crossing between Canada and the United States, and it played significant roles in the histories of the Niagara region and the two countries. Three railway lines crossed over the bridge, connecting cities on both sides of the border. The Great Western Railway, New York Central Railroad, and New York and Erie Rail Road differed in track gauge; the bridge used a triple gauge system to conserve space, overlapping two tracks on top of each other and using a rail of each to form the third track. The railroads brought a large influx of trade and tourists into the region around the Niagara Falls. In the time leading to the American Civil War, the Underground Railroad helped slaves in the United States escape across the Suspension Bridge to freedom in Canada. After the war, the bridge became a symbol of inspiration to Americans, encouraging them to rebuild their country and pushing them to quickly industrialize their nation. The bridge's success proved that a railway suspension bridge could be safe and operational. Its wooden structures began to decay and were replaced with stronger steel and iron versions by 1886. In 1897 the bridge was replaced by the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and the suspension bridge was dismantled.