IMPACT REPORT 2025 2025
For over 120 years, the Buffalo Jewish Federation has served as the voice and the backbone of the Jewish community in Western New York.
OUR MISSION
We weave threads of Jewish connection
We raise and allocate resources
We convene and represent Jewish Buffalo
We secure Jewish life
OUR VISION
A flourishing Jewish Buffalo - joyful, inclusive and resilient, grounded in Jewish connection and sustained by enduring relationships within and beyond our community.
2025 BOARD OF GOVERNORS
President - Marjorie Bryen
Vice President - Marc Brown
Vice President - Blaine Schwartz
Secretary - Deborah Goldman
Treasurer - Shawn Frier
Immediate Past President - Shelly Yellen
Women’s Philanthropy Chair - Cheryl Stein
Corey Auerbach
Ann Marie Carosella
Kirstie Henry
Jim Kramer
Marni Marciano
Dr. Marina Maulucci-Finkelstein
Armand Morrison
Robin Raphael
Ezra Rich
Dr. Ron Sadler
Kenneth Shuman
Amélida Ortiz Weinmann
Dr. Gil Wolfe
Sonia Gellman Young
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO AND PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
As we introduce the Buffalo Jewish Federation’s 2025 Impact Report, we are filled with appreciation - for your generosity, your leadership, and your steadfast belief in a flourishing Jewish future for Buffalo. None of this work happens without you.
2025 was a defining year. We continued to navigate the complex implications of October 7, rising antisemitism, and new security realities, while responding to the evolving needs of a diverse and vibrant Jewish community. At every step, Jewish Buffalo rose to meet the moment.
Over the past year, the Buffalo Jewish Federation refreshed its mission to reflect both our enduring purpose and the demands of today. Our work now centers around four commitments that shape how we engage individuals, steward resources, strengthen institutions, and plan boldly for the future.
This year, our mission was translated into powerful impact. Thousands engaged in Jewish life through LiNK Jewish Buffalo experiences, NEXTGen gatherings, learning opportunities, and community programs. Our annual campaign sustained synagogues, agencies, and partners across Western New York, while upholding our historic commitments in Israel and around the world. And our expanded K-12 strategy brought Holocaust education, empathy-building tools, and innovative learning to classrooms in districts across the region.
Security remained an urgent priority. Secure Jewish Buffalo worked closely with law enforcement partners, conducting assessments, coordinating emergency responses, and sharing intelligence in a year of unprecedented threats. Much of this work is quiet, behind the scenes and absolutely essential.
Every accomplishment in these pages exists because you choose to show up for Jewish Buffalo. Donors and partners, newcomers and longtime leaders, volunteers and professionals: together you propel our shared vision of a joyful, inclusive, resilient Jewish community.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in what we can build together.
With gratitude, Miriam Abramovich, CEO
Marjorie Bryen, President
WEAVING THREADS OF
Our young adult engagement, known as NEXTGen Jewish Buffalo, is a renewed commitment to engaging and building points of connection for individuals in their 20s and 30s. We meet new people and support young adults throughout Buffalo in creating community for themselves, their friends, and folks we have not yet met. Shabbat dinners, restaurant meetups, hikes, and happy hours are just a few of the opportunities offered.
Creating welcoming opportunities for Jews and their with Jewish life, Jewish people, Jewish ideas, Isra
MidLife Engagement MidLife Engagement
MidLife Engagement offers a series of experiences to help adults 55+ come together through community building gatherings, social impact projects and curated cultural experiences. This initiative addresses the growing need to support adults in their second half of life as they navigate changing roles, evolving identities and a desire for continued purpose.
PJ Library sends thousands of free high-quality children’s books to families raising Jewish children 0 - 12 years old every month. In addition, special programs are offered where families can meet new friends, celebrate Jewish holidays, and have fun. This includes monthly Shabbat gatherings, meetups at playgrounds and indoor play spaces for babies and the grownups who love them, summertime fun at the JCC pool, and a large community gathering to celebrate the joy of Hanukkah for PJ families and their friends of all faiths.
their loved ones to celebrate, learn, explore, and connect Israel and Jewish community in meaningful ways.
Young Adults in NEXTGen 115 115
PJ Library books distributed 4,164 4,164
Unique individuals engaged in Adult experiences 417 417
Program engagements 3,674 3,674
RAISING AND ALLOCATING
Raising and distributing funding to support Jewish
OVER $1
Disbursed to partner agencies OVER $1
$198,000 $ ,000
Israel & Overseas
$707,000 $707,000
Local Community
Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world.
$99,000 $ ,000 agencies to support their critical work MILLION MILLION
$707,000 $707,000
Community Partner Grants
Local Community Security Grants
CONVENING AND REPRESENTING
Convening Jewish agencies and forging partnerships
Educating, advocating, and serving as the voice
K-12 STRATEGY
Our K-12 strategy focuses on combating antisemitism and promoting Jewish identity through educational programming, resources, and communitybuilding initiatives. Key components include providing tools to support school culture, offering curricular support aligned with New York State standards, and implementing curated programs for schools.
LIBRARIAN CONFERENCE
SPEAKERS BUREAU
4,950 4,950
Students and community members heard the story of a Holocaust survivor
82 KINDNESS SUITCASE
School Districts 20 20 Suitcases deployed
partnerships with civic, legislative, business and faith partners. voice of Jewish Buffalo in the broader community.
9,108 9,108 MOBILE MUSEUMS OF TOLERANCE &
6 6 Different schools 56 56 Students, staff and community members
LEADERSHIP BRIEFING Community events
Federal, state & local government officials, leaders of non profits and higher education institutions represented 65 65
& School Districts 5 5 Parents representing Private Schools 2 2 PARENT COUNCIL
SECURING JEWISH LIFE
Fostering a sense of collective Jewish identity, working to end antisemitism, and ensuring that Jewish Buffalo remains secure, resilient and flourishes for generations to come.
Facilities 23 23
Events requested security 556 556
Hours worked by off-duty law enforcement officers 8,133 8,133
Security trainings offered 9 9
Students, faculty and staff reached 1,320 1,320 STUDENT TO STUDENT @ Distinct presentations 17 1
11 Different schools 11
Every accomplishment in these pages exists because you choose to show up for Jewish Buffalo. Donors and partners, newcomers and longtime leaders, volunteers and professionals: together you propel our shared vision of a joyful, inclusive, resilient Jewish community.
Donors OVER 1,000
$2.3 MILLION* $2.3 MILLION*
Giving $270,780* $2 0, 80*
*Expected 12.31.25
