Jewish Journal March 2026

March 2026

President’s Message

As most of us endure another long Buffalo winter (while snowbirds smile from afar), an issue far more critical than the weather unites the Buffalo Jewish community and its ex-pats: ensuring the collective security of Jewish life. Protecting our institutions and individuals has taken on increasing urgency as antisemitism continues to rise.

Through Senior Director of Community Security Craig Macy, who also serves as interim Buffalo Police Commissioner, and our dedicated Community Relations team, the Buffalo Jewish Federation has taken a proactive leadership role in combating hate and responding swiftly to antisemitism. These efforts include outreach to local school districts; specialized programming through the Holocaust Education Resource Organization (HERO) and LiNK; and sustained engagement with civic, faith, business, and legislative leaders.

A cornerstone of this work is Secure Jewish Buffalo, established following the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh and the growing threat of antisemitism. This initiative strengthens security across Jewish Buffalo by providing professional security assessments; grants for hardening assets, financial support for partner agencies, trainings and critical incident management. Federation also coordinates security personnel for synagogues and agencies, enhancing safety during services and community events.

Ensuring the safety and vitality of Jewish life in Buffalo requires sustained investment, thoughtful planning, and strong partnerships. As the scope and cost of these efforts continue to grow, Federation is working with community leaders to build long-term strategies that keep our community safe, resilient, and prepared—today and for generations to come. If you are interested in learning more or supporting this work, we invite you to reach out for a conversation.

Blaine Schwartz President,

President Blaine Schwartz

Chief Executive Officer Miriam Abramovich

Chief of Administration Jill Komm

Senior Director of Communications.... Erica Brecher

Senior Advisor Rob Goldberg

Assistant Director of Operations Mandy Weiss

As we begin this month, Federation expresses profound gratitude to the donors and supporters whose generosity sustained our work in 2025. On pages 14-18, we proudly present our Honor Roll, recognizing every individual, family, and corporate sponsor who made a financial contribution this past year. Their investment ensures that Federation is here—day in and day out, in moments of celebration and in times of crisis—strengthening Jewish life in Buffalo and around the globe.

BUFFALO SPREE PUBLISHING, INC.

President Sharon C. Levite

Vice President/Chief Revenue Officer Barbara E. Macks

Publisher.. Barbara

SUBMISSIONS:

If you would like to submit content to be published in a future issue of the Jewish Journal, please email jjwny@buffalojewishfederation.org

Upcoming Submission Deadlines:

April 2026 – material due on February 26, 2026

May/June 2026 – material due on March 26, 2026

July/August 2026 – material due on May 28, 2026

September/October 2026 – material due on July 30, 2026

November 2026 – material due on October 1, 2026

December 2026 – material due on October 29, 2026

January/February 2027 - material due on November 24, 2026

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Please contact

Rachel Wasserman at rwasserman@buffalospree.com, 716-725-1173, or Keren Green at kgreen@buffalospree.com, 347-400-9939.

Ad space & materials are due by the 10th of each month prior to publication. For a rate card and any additional information, please email Barbara Macks at bmacks@buffalospree.com.

TO SUBSCRIBE:

To subscribe to The Jewish Journal , please email info@ buffalojewishfederation.org. Free for Western New York area residents and donors to the Campaign.

The Jewish Journal reserves the right to cancel any advertisement at any time. The Buffalo Jewish Federation and Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc. are not liable for the content or errors appearing in the advertisements beyond the cost of the space occupied. The Jewish Journal does not assume responsibility for the kashrut of any product or service advertised in this paper. Editorials, columns, advertisements, agency reports and other outside articles do not necessarily represent the views of the newspaper or the Buffalo Jewish Federation, but rather express the view of the writer.

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it “illegal to advertise “based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Generosity Matters

BY MIRIAM ABRAMOVICH

Purim has a way of flipping the script. It is a holiday where things are not quite as they seem, where power is reversed, masks are worn, villains fall, and joy bursts through in places we might not expect. Our sages teach, “When Adar enters, joy increases.” And Purim, sitting right in the heart of Adar, invites us not only to feel that joy, but to do something with it.

Purim is playful, loud, full of frivolity, and also deeply intentional. Tradition calls us to four core practices each year: to hear the reading of The Megillah (The Book of Esther), to enjoy a festive meal, to exchange mishloach manot (gifts of food), and to give matanot la’evyonim (monetary gifts to those in need).

These are not optional extras; they are the heart of the holiday.

Even on a day known for feasting and merrymaking, our tradition insists on serious responsibility. The Book of Esther teaches that everyone deserves to celebrate

Purim with dignity. Jewish law goes even further, reminding us that “every person is obligated to give tzedakah according to their means—even one who is supported by public charity must give” (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 248:1). Purim is, at its core, a call to collective action.

The Megillah tells its story in an unusual way. God’s name is never mentioned, Esther conceals who she is, and meaning emerges slowly and through personal courage rather than spectacle.

The Talmud links Esther’s name to hester panim, the hidden presence of God, teaching that even when things feel uncertain or unclear, much is still unfolding beneath the surface. Often, that is people stepping forward, taking responsibility, and acting on behalf of one another.

This idea feels especially resonant as you flip through the Federation’s annual Honor Roll in the pages that follow. This list is not hidden, and that is exactly the point. It makes visible the people who

quietly and consistently sustain Jewish Buffalo. The joy, connection, security, and care that define our community are made possible because individuals and families choose to invest - of their time, their resources, and their spirit. Philanthropy, like Purim itself, is an act of faith: a belief that what we give helps ensure that Jewish Buffalo can flourish not only today, but for generations to come.

So as we celebrate Purim in the coming days, laughing a little louder, giving a little more generously, and embracing a bit of holy topsy-turviness, may we also pause to say thank you. To those whose names appear in these pages, and to those who may be inspired to see their name there in the future: your generosity matters. From the entire Federation volunteer and professional teams, we express our sincere gratitude to each of you.

Milestone Moment: HERO Gifts Kindness Suitcases to 90+ WNY Schools

The Holocaust Education Resource Organization (HERO) celebrates the monumental impact of gifting Kindness Suitcases to 90+ elementary schools and middle schools through Western New York! Each of the school libraries that now proudly has this engaging educational tool has trained facilitators in the school to share the lessons of the Holocaust in age-appropriate ways. The Kindness Suitcase is designed to teach children in Grades K-6 about respect, kindness, acceptance, and empathy through learning about upstanders during the Holocaust. The goal is to foster these core values in our youngest learners to encourage them to make a difference in their school, community, and our world.

Kindness

Suitcases Gifted to Western New York Schools

Buffalo Public Schools (18)

International School #45

Native American Magnet School #19

Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center #99

Houghton Academy #69

Early Childhood Center #82

Roosevelt Elementary #65

Riverside Academy #6

Charles Drew Magnet #90

Culinary Arts #355

Lorraine Elementary #72

North Park #50

Bilingual Academy #76

Bennett Park Montessori #32

Burgard Vocational HS #301

MLK Cultural Institute #48

William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence #79

Dr. Charles Drew Science Magnet Annex #59

Buffalo Common Charter

WNY Public Schools (68)

Akron Central School District

Akron Elementary

Akron Middle

Alexander Central School District

Alexander Elementary

Amherst Central School District

Smallwood Elementary

Windemere Elementary

Cheektowaga Central School District

Union East Elementary

Clarence Central School District

Clarence Center Elementary

Harris Hill Elementary

Ledgeview Elementary

Sheridan Hill Elementary

Clarence Middle School

Depew School District

Cayuga Heights

Erie 1 BOCES

Erie 2 BOCES

Frontier Central School District

Big Tree Elementary

Blasdell Elementary

Cloverbank Elementary

Pinehurst Elementary

Grand Island Central School District

Huth Road Elementary

William Kaegbein Elementary

Sidway Elementary

Iroquois Central School District

Marilla Primary

Jamestown Public Schools

S.G. Love Elementary

Kenmore/Tonawanda School District

Edison Elementary

Franklin Elementary

Holmes Elementary

Hoover Elementary

Lindbergh Elementary

Lackawanna City School District

Martin Road Elementary

Lakeshore Central School District

John T. Waugh Elementary

Lancaster Central School District

Culture, Climate and Inclusivity Department

Lockport City School District

Roy B. Kelley Elementary

Anna Merritt Elementary

George Southard Elementary

Charles Upton Elementary

Medina Central School District

Oak Orchard Elementary

Newfane Central Schools

Newfane Elementary

Niagara Falls City School District

LaSalle Prep

North Tonawanda City School District

Drake Elementary

Ohio Elementary

Spruce Elementary

Orchard Park Central School District

Eggert Elementary

Ellicott Elementary

South Davis Elementary

Windom Elementary

Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Pembroke Central School District

Pembroke Elementary

Sweet Home Central School District

Glendale Elementary

Heritage Heights Elementary

Maplemere Elementary

Willow Ridge Elementary

Sweet Home High School

Tonawanda City School District

Tonawanda Elementary

Tonawanda Middle/High School

West Seneca Central School District

Allendale Elementary

Clinton Elementary

Northwood Elementary

West Seneca West Elementary

Winchester Potters Elementary

Williamsville Central School District

Country Parkway Elementary

Dodge Elementary

Forest Elementary

Heim Elementary

Maple East Elementary

Maple West Elementary

Heim Middle

Mill Middle Library

Mill Middle Special Ed Department

WNY Private Schools (6)

Nardin Lower School

The Park School of Buffalo

St. Gregory the Great St. Mark School, Buffalo

St. Mary’s School of Swormville

St. Paul Lutheran of Hilton, NY

Connection, Learning and Shared Purpose

Women’s Philanthropy of the Buffalo Jewish Federation is always seeking meaningful ways to bring women in our community together, creating spaces where connection, learning, and shared purpose can flourish. Our quarterly Women’s Philanthropy Book Club is one such space. This gathering draws women across generations, backgrounds, and religious spectrums into thoughtful dialogue inspired by Jewish stories, values, and lived experiences.

Over the past year, 19 women have participated in Book Club gatherings, reading and discussing works such as The Goddess of Warsaw, In the Shadow of the Greenbrier, Last Twilight in Paris, and Rising Out of Hatred. While the books vary in setting and subject matter, each offers an entry point into conversations about identity, resilience, history, and moral responsibility. These are core themes that resonate deeply within Jewish life. These discussions allow participants to explore complex ideas together, listen to diverse perspectives, and find common ground through shared reflection.

More than a literary discussion, the Book Club embodies the Federation’s mission to weave threads of Jewish connection throughout our community. Around living room tables and on zoom, women form new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and experience a sense of belonging that extends beyond the pages of a book. Participants range in age, life stage, and Jewish practice, yet each gathering affirms that our differences enrich our collective story.

We are thrilled to continue these gatherings in 2026. Our next meeting will take place on April 30, and we will be reading The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. More information and registration will be available soon. If you have any questions or are interested in hosting an upcoming book club meeting, please reach out to Erin Casper, erin@buffalojewishfederation.org.

Purim: A Holiday of Courage, Community, and Joy

Purim is almost here, and in many Jewish homes in Buffalo that means costumes, noisemakers, and children asking important questions like: How loud do I have to boo Haman? (Answer: very!)

At first glance, Purim feels like pure fun, and it is. We dress up, eat hamantaschen, exchange treats with friends, and laugh together while listening to the Megillah. But beneath the costumes and confetti is a powerful message that speaks especially to families.

The story of Purim reminds us that courage can come from unexpected places. Queen Esther does not begin as a hero. She becomes one by finding her voice when it matters most. For children, this is a beautiful lesson: you do not have to be the loudest or strongest person in the room to make a difference. You simply have to care and be willing to stand up for others and for who you are.

Purim also teaches us about community. We are commanded to give gifts of food (mishloach manot) and to support those in need (matanot la’evyonim) or families, this creates a wonderful opportunity to involve children in acts of kindness: choosing treats for neighbors, delivering baskets together, and talking about how joy grows when it is shared.

And then there is noise. Purim is the one day when being disruptive is practically a mitzvah. It is a holiday of celebration, which for adults sometimes includes alcohol. The Talmud teaches in Megillah 7b that one should drink until they cannot distinguish between “cursed be Haman” and “blessed be Mordechai.” Many rabbis emphasize the importance of celebrating responsibly, not overindulging, alternating wine with juice, and keeping the focus on the festive spirit of the holiday.

We drown out Haman’s name not only with groggers, but with laughter, music, and togetherness. In a world that can sometimes feel heavy, even for our children, Purim reminds us that Jewish joy is resilient. We are allowed, and even encouraged, to celebrate loudly.

This year, as Purim approaches, may our homes be filled with silliness and sweetness, our tables with friends and hamantaschen, and our hearts with the reminder that joy itself can be an act of strength.

Chag Purim Sameach!

Reflections from Israel: Why Showing Up Still Matters

BY MIKE STEKLOF, ED.D.

I recently returned from Israel after spending meaningful time there with my Hillel colleagues from campuses across North America and beyond. I came back changed, not only by what I saw and heard, but by what the experience clarified about the moment we are living through, and about the responsibility we carry as Jewish educators and community builders.

The trip, Sipurim: Stories of Purpose and Belonging, was designed to help Hillel professionals engage directly with Israeli society in the wake of October 7, 2023. Its goal was not to offer simple answers or talking points, but to deepen our understanding, so that our Israel education and campus engagement are rooted in lived reality rather than abstraction. What we encountered was complex, painful, and profoundly human.

I returned with three reflections that feel especially important for our Hillel of Buffalo community right now.

Israel Is Still Processing October 7 Every Day

In every conversation and in every place we visited, it was clear that October 7 is not a chapter that has closed. It continues to shape daily routines, emotional landscapes, and national decision-making. Israelis are still living with trauma and grief, and there is a shared understanding that the country has not yet fully processed what happened.

Even the question of how to memorialize October 7 remains unresolved. Conversations about remembrance, narrative, and healing are ongoing, reflecting the reality that this event is still being lived, not merely remembered.

The Impact of War Touches All Segments of Israeli Society

This conflict does not affect only one community or sector; Jewish Israelis, Arab citizens of Israel, and the Druze community are all experiencing its consequences, each in distinct yet interconnected ways. The ripple effects are everywhere.

Many Israelis, particularly reservists and their families, are preparing for the long

haul. There is a widespread expectation that extended reserve duty may continue for years, reshaping family life, economic stability, and communal resilience. These realities will continue to influence Israeli society and Israel–Diaspora relationships for a long time to come.

Global Support Matters and Is Still Deeply Needed

One of the most striking aspects of the trip was how often people thanked us, not only for coming, but for sustained support from Jewish communities in North America. Again and again, we heard the same message: showing up matters.

Presence, advocacy, philanthropy, and personal connection bolster morale, sustain livelihoods, and affirm solidarity in ways that simply cannot be replicated from afar. The act of being there, of listening, witnessing, and standing alongside, carries weight.

Bringing This Experience Back to Campus

As I think about how this trip will shape our work at Hillel of Buffalo, several commitments feel especially resonant.

Deepening Israel education and dialogue

Our upcoming programs will be grounded in lived realities, embracing both resilience and complexity. Through discussions, learning series, and Israel engagement initiatives, we will continue to create space for nuance, empathy, and thoughtful conversation, especially when the issues are difficult.

Supporting student travel and Israel engagement

This experience reaffirmed the transformative power of being in Israel. We will continue to encourage and support students who are ready for immersive Israel experiences, while also recognizing that many students do not feel ready or able to travel right now due to safety concerns or social pressures. In response, we will strengthen pre- and post-trip education and expand meaningful, non-travel-based pathways for Israel engagement.

Building sustained community connection

The gratitude we encountered reinforced the importance of long-term, consistent engagement. We remain committed to fostering relationships between our campus and Israeli communities through dialogue, partnerships, and shared learning.

If you are wondering whether going to Israel still matters, the answer is yes. Showing up makes a difference.

I know I will be returning to Israel soon, and I am already looking forward to bringing back more voices, stories, and partnerships to enrich our campus community and to strengthen the bonds that connect us, even in the most challenging of times.

Mike Steklof, Ed.D. is the Executive Director of Hillel of Buffalo and can be reached at mike@hilllelofbuffalo.org.

“Tree of Life” at JRT: A Story of Community, Identity, and Renewal

This March, the Jewish Repertory Theatre (JRT), in partnership with the Jewish Federation, will present a special two-performance reading of Tree of Life, a moving and deeply human play by

acclaimed Kansas City playwright Victor Wishna. This limited engagement offers audiences an intimate theatrical experience centered on Jewish identity, continuity, and the enduring strength of community.

Directed by theatre educator and JCC Board Member Alyssa Strang, the reading brings together a dynamic group of performers from both the Jewish and theatre communities of Western New York, including Adam Yellen, Mark Horowitz, Darleen Pickering Hummert, and many others. In a rare and meaningful opportunity for audiences, Victor Wishna himself will attend both performances, offering insight into the play’s origins, development, and the personal and historical influences that shaped the work.

Tree of Life is a full-length, two-act play centered on Ken, a widower in his sixties who is fiercely devoted to the small but proud Jewish congregation of Wiconee, Iowa. The synagogue is not just a house of worship to him, it is memory, family, and identity. But like many small Jewish communities across the country, Wiconee’s congregation is shrinking, and the future of the synagogue is uncertain.

Into this fragile moment enters Marianela, a visiting graduate student whose presence brings new ideas, new perspectives, and unexpected emotional connections. As their relationship develops, Ken is forced to confront questions about tradition, change, and what it truly means to preserve a community. Is survival about holding fast to the past, or finding new ways forward?

Through interwoven timelines that move between the present and the congregation’s earlier years, the play reveals how history lives within people and places. The synagogue’s Torah scroll— the Etz Chayim, or “Tree of Life”—becomes a powerful symbol of continuity, faith, and responsibility, representing both the weight of inheritance and the possibility of renewal.

Balancing humor with poignancy, Tree of Life captures the warmth, stubbornness, heartbreak, and resilience that define close-knit communities. It speaks not only to Jewish audiences, but to anyone who has wrestled with questions of belonging, legacy, and the changing nature of home.

Across North America, small Jewish

congregations, particularly in rural and Midwestern towns, are facing difficult transitions. As demographics shift and generations move away, communities must grapple with how to honor their histories while adapting to new realities. Tree of Life brings this rarely dramatized aspect of Jewish life to the stage with compassion and nuance, reminding us that Jewish identity has never been defined by size, but by connection.

This reading continues JRT’s mission of presenting theatre that explores Jewish stories with depth, relevance, and emotional truth, while sparking dialogue that extends beyond the stage. Each performance of Tree of Life will be followed by a meaningful conversation, reinforcing JRT’s commitment to theatre as a communal experience.

Saturday, March 21 at 7 pm

Robert & Maxine Seller Theater

JCC Benderson Building

Followed by a talkback with the playwright, moderated by JRT Artistic Director Adam Yellen.

Sunday, March 22 at 2 pm

Temple Beth Zion Sanctuary

This reading is in collaboration with the Jewish Community Legacy Project, a nonprofit that supports small congregations across North America. It ...will be followed by a panel discussion with the playwright and three members of the local Jewish community—Corey Auerbach, Linda Pollack, and Larry Boxer—each of whom lived in small Jewish communities throughout the United States, offering personal perspectives that echo the play’s themes.

These post-show events provide audiences a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artistic process and to reflect on how the play’s story connects to real lived experiences.

Tickets to both performances are $36. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit JewishRepertoryTheatre.org or call the JRT Box Office at 716-306-3086.

WEDDING

NEXTGen’s Havdalah & Kabbalah

NEXTGen just launched a new learning experience for young adults who are looking for deeper connection and meaning in Jewish life: Havdalah and Kabbalah, led by Rabbi Shlomo Schachter of Kehillat Ohr Tzion (KOT). The program brings together the beauty of Havdalah—the ritual that marks the transition from Shabbat into the new week—with accessible exploration of Jewish mysticism and spirituality in an open, inclusive environment.

With deep rabbinic roots and a background shaped by the Jewish Renewal movement, Rabbi Schachter brings both spiritual depth and an ability to connect with people in a genuine, down-to-earth way. His approach makes space for questions, reflection, and personal meaning, helping participants engage with Jewish mysticism in ways that feel relevant and approachable rather than abstract.

NEXTGen’s first gathering, held on January 21, set the tone for what this program is all about. Participants came together in a warm space that encouraged openness

and connection, sharing in Havdalah before moving into organic conversation about Jewish identity and spirituality. The small group created an atmosphere where people felt comfortable sharing, listening, and learning from one another.

Havdalah and Kabbalah is intentionally designed to remain intimate and relationshipdriven, allowing for depth, trust, and meaningful dialogue. The next session will take place on Saturday, March 21 at 7 pm, and NEXTGen looks forward to continuing to build a community of young adults exploring Jewish wisdom together. Young adults interested in this program or other NEXTGen events are encouraged to contact Samantha Stevens at Samantha@buffalojewishfederation.org.

Unlocking Your Past: The New Stuart and Caren Shapiro Jewish Genealogy Center

The Jewish Museum of Buffalo is proud to announce the launch of the Stuart and Caren Shapiro Jewish Genealogy Center of Buffalo, a landmark resource dedicated to helping the Western New York community trace their roots and preserve their family legacies. Housed within the Museum, the Center will serve as a premier regional hub for historical research, learning, and personal discovery.

The Stuart and Caren Shapiro Jewish Genealogy Center will provide unprecedented access to genealogical records, town finders, and specialized historical resources spanning generations and continents, empowering individuals and families to uncover their stories.

A Resource for the Region

Designed as a vibrant educational space, the Center will offer free support and assistance to the public. Planned programming includes:

• Public Open Hours: Regularly scheduled times for individuals to work in the Center and consult with trained genealogists.

• Expert Lectures: Presentations by historians and master genealogists on topics ranging from Jewish cemeteries and DNA research to navigating Eastern European vital records.

• Guided Research: One-on-one assistance for beginners and for those facing “brick walls” in their family trees.

Join Our Team

To bring this vision to life, we are seeking passionate volunteers and paid staff members eager to be trained in the latest genealogical research techniques. Whether you are an experienced researcher, librarian or a history enthusiast interested in learning a new skill, your involvement will help families reconnect with their heritage.

Comprehensive training will be provided, with a focus on the unique nuances of Jewish genealogy. To learn more or get involved, please email Jill@jmbuffalo.org.

HERO Accepting Applications for the Sophia Veffer Upstander Award

Matzah Ball to support JFS returns March 12

The Sophia Veffer Upstander Award honors local Holocaust survivor Sophia Veffer, who has dedicated her life to building a more just and compassionate world.

Sophia inspires individuals to act as global citizens, assist those in need, and to stand up in the face of adversity. This prestigious award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact in Western New York by promoting equality, social justice, and human rights. HERO defines an upstander as an individual residing or working in WNY who uses their voice to stand up for others’ rights, confront injustice, inequality, or unfairness at the local, state, or national level. Scan the QR code to submit by April 15.

Jewish Family Services of Western New York (JFS) is bringing back the Matzah Ball for a third year. The annual fundraiser is set for Thursday, March 12 from 6-9 pm at The Admiral Room located at 237 Main St., Buffalo.

“Matzah Ball is an opportunity for the JFS community to come together, celebrate, and raise funds for our life-saving programs and support,” said Dr. Molly Carr, CEO of JFS. “Across

centuries, we have adapted to the needs of our ever-changing community to continue to provide care. Between our community services and behavioral health & wellness divisions, today our programs address a breadth of critical needs in our community, including housing, career services, care coordination, family support and counseling and therapy to clients of all ages.”

The theme for this year’s Matzah Ball is “Deep Roots, Green Shoots,” honoring the agency’s deep roots while celebrating its green shoots, the new programs and faces that have made the past year special. Attendees are encouraged to wear various shades of green, floral or forest prints, and nature inspired accessories.

In addition to a plated dinner, open bar, silent auction, and special performances, JFS will also present three awards: L’dor V’dor Achievement Award, Kehillah Community Builder Award, and Mensch of the Year Award to members of the community.

Tickets for Matzah Ball are $125 and include access to the open bar, food and all the fun and entertainment the event has to offer.

If interested in providing extra support for JFS, Mensch level sponsorship is $2,500 and purchasing a table is $1,250.

Matzah Ball tickets and sponsorships can be purchased by visiting: https://jfswny.org/matzah-ball.

Connecting Our Community Through Philanthropy

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies exists to strengthen Jewish life in Buffalo and Western New York today and for generations to come. With spring upon us we want to share what we have been working on and how individuals, families, and professional partners can engage with us in meaningful ways. From education and donor engagement to legacy focused initiatives, our work is rooted in connection, stewardship, and shared responsibility.

Strengthening Partnerships with Professional Advisors

In January, the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies hosted a professional advisor event that brought together attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and other trusted advisors from across the region. The evening focused on relationship building and education, reinforcing the important role professional advisors play in helping clients align financial planning with charitable goals.

A key part of the program explored Charitable Remainder Trusts and other planned giving tools that allow donors to support the causes they care about while also meeting personal

and family needs. By continuing to build strong relationships with professional advisors, the Foundation works to ensure charitable planning remains accessible, thoughtful, and responsive to the needs of the Buffalo Jewish community. Please visit our “Professional Advisors Network” page on our website and explore as it continues to expand.

Highlighting the Power of Donor Advised Funds

Another priority for the Foundation is increasing awareness of Donor Advised Funds as a flexible and effective charitable option. A Donor Advised Fund allows individuals and families to make a charitable contribution,

receive an immediate tax benefit, and recommend grants to organizations over time. Beyond the financial benefits, Donor Advised Funds support giving that aligns with your values and offers families an opportunity to build a lasting philanthropic legacy.

To encourage new donors to explore this approach, the Foundation is offering a limited Donor Advised Fund promotion. New donors who open a fund with a minimum of $ 5,000 will receive an additional $200 from the Foundation to recommend to a Jewish charity of their choice. Those who open a fund with $10,000 will receive $500 to direct to a Jewish charity of their choice.

Preserving Stories and Honoring Legacy

The Foundation is committed to preserving the stories behind philanthropy. Through expanded content on the “Legacy Society” and “Life & Legacy® Live On” pages of the Foundation’s website, donors and families are invited to share their reasons for giving.

Your stories help capture the values, experiences, and motivations that inspire generosity. By documenting personal reflections, the Foundation ensures that future generations understand not only what was given, but why it mattered.

If you have a story to share about one of our Legacy Society members, we would love to hear it! Please contact Jacob Fox, 716-202-2108 or jacob@jewishphilanthropies.org.

Life & Legacy® at Buffalo

A Legacy Built on Belonging - The Morrison Family

Life & Legacy Buffalo

(7/1/2021 – 1/29/2026)

Total Legacy Commitments: 588

Total Number of Donors: 318

Total Estimated Value: $22.3 million

“Lori and Armand inspire me again and again—bringing care and presence to every program, gathering, meal, and moment they touch. Life & Legacy reflects their belief in sustaining what they love, now and forever.”

- Rabbi Sara Rich, Temple Beth Tzedek

TOGETHER

, the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and the Buffalo Jewish Federation are working with many organizations in Jewish Buffalo to secure the future of our community.

These organizations include: Center for Jewish Life Congregation Shir Shalom Hillel of Buffalo

Jewish Community Center

The Jewish Discovery Center

Jewish Family Services

Kadimah Scholars Program at Park

Temple Beth Tzedek

Temple Beth Zion

Be Part of the Future

Legacy giving ensures your values live on through the generations. Your participation matters—and every gift makes a difference.

Contact

Linda Barat, Life & Legacy at Buffalo Coordinator, at 716-204-2259 or Linda@jewishphilanthropies.org for more information .

For Armand and Lori Morrison, legacy giving is not about a single gift - it is about gratitude, continuity, and ensuring that the Jewish community they love remains strong for generations to come.

Both deeply involved in Jewish life in Buffalo, the Morrisons’ commitment grew naturally from their own experiences of being welcomed and embraced. When Armand moved to Buffalo for college, he intentionally sought out a synagogue, eventually finding a home at Temple Shaarey Zedek, (now Temple Beth Tzedek). That sense of belonging became foundational, not just for him, but for the life he and Lori would build together. As Lori recalls, the synagogue community became their extended family, making sure they always had a place to celebrate holidays, mark life-cycle moments, and feel supported during times of loss.

Over the years, the Morrisons have given generously their time. They have served on synagogue boards and committees, coordinated programs for young families, and helped create innovative children’s programming, especially during the challenging COVID years. Today, seeing dozens of young children filling the synagogue brings them deep joy and pride. “It’s amazing how many kids participate,” Lori says. “That’s the future right in front of our eyes.”

Their service extends far beyond their congregation. Armand, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, is Chair of the Holocaust Education Resource Organization (HERO) and serves on the Buffalo Jewish Federation Board of Governors, including its Community Relations Council and Development Committee. Lori has devoted decades to Jewish education, PJ Library, Israel engagement, and volunteer leadership, while also running a kosher catering business (Luscious by Lori).

Their decision to participate in Life & Legacy came from a shared realization: while they had long supported the community through involvement and annual giving, they wanted to help secure Jewish Buffalo’s future long after they are gone. They are now establishing a Morrison Family Endowment Fund to support multiple Jewish agencies to ensure a vibrant, sustainable community.

With four grandchildren growing up in Buffalo, the Morrisons see legacy giving as an act of responsibility and love - l’dor v’dor Their hope is simple yet profound: that Jewish Buffalo will not only endure, but also grow—through strong education, meaningful engagement, and a community that continues to wrap its arms around one another, just as it once wrapped around them.

2025 Buffalo Jewish Federation Honor Roll of Donors

2025 Buffalo Jewish Federation Honor Roll of Donors

The leadership of the Buffalo Jewish Federation extends gratitude to each donor and supporter who made a gift(s) to support our work in 2025. Their extraordinary generosity enables the Federation to be here, day in and day out, in good times and in times of crisis, to support Jews and Jewish community here in Buffalo, and around the globe.

If you have any questions or if your name is not listed, please contact Stacey Block at stacey@buffalojewishfederation.org

$250,000+

International Leadership Reunion (ILR)

Philanthropic leaders who are a part of an international collective who contribute to their local communities and who share a deep interest in supporting Israel and Jewish communities around the world with an individual or family giving $250,000+ to the Annual Campaign.

The Benderson Family

$100,000-249,999

Prime Ministers Council

Prime Ministers Council sets inspiring standards and share a passionate concern for issues that affect the worldwide Jewish community. They represent the ultimate expression of leadership and giving with an individual or family gift of $100,000 -249,999 to the Annual Campaign.

Weiss Family Philanthropic Fund * *

$5,000-9,999

Lion of Judah Society

The following individuals, families and corporate partners have contributed to the 2025 Campaign for Jewish Buffalo and, or, one of the following Buffalo Jewish Federation Campaigns in 2025: Dignity Grows

Holocaust Education Resource

Organization

Community Relations

$25,000-99,999

King David Society (KDS)

Inspiring others through their generosity and commitment, King David Society donors are strong philanthropic leaders are deeply focused on the issues affecting our local and global Jewish community and enable the Federation to better serve our community today and tomorrow with an individual or family gift of $25,000-99,999.

Delaware North Companies, Inc.

Mr. George I. Gellman

Amy and Eduardo Heumann Y

Mr. Michael L. Joseph

James Kramer and the Late Leslie Shuman Kramer * , Y

The Late Mr. Frank Levin and Mrs. Jeanette Levin

Mrs. Judith Lipsey

Sylvia L. and Melvin Morris Fund

Sanford M. Nobel Y

Eric and Cara Reich

Sheldon and Elsie Schneiderman Fund

Snyder Family Foundation Trust

Bruce and Marianne Wisbaum

Howard and Leslie Zemsky

Anonymous (1)

The Lion of Judah is a symbol of today’s Jewish women’s strength, her caring about Jewish people, and her financial commitment to the Buffalo Jewish Federation. The Lion of Judah is also a symbol of women’s philanthropy, representing a gift of $5,000 or more to the Annual Campaign.

Joan B. and David H. Alexander Y

Mrs. Susan K. Altman

Mrs. Maxine Awner * , *** , Y

Dr. Steven Awner *** , Y

Dr. Howard W. Benatovich *** , Y

Mrs. Lana D. Benatovich * , *** , Y

Mr. James R. Biltekoff Y

Mrs. Judi Biltekoff ***

Mr. Marc Brown and Dr. Shira Brown Y

Marjorie Bryen

Mrs. Joan Cohen Y

Jane Cole Godin Fund *

Kenneth and Antoinette Dauber

Mrs. Marsha Dautch ***

Mrs. Mindy A. Doerfler

Mr. David Doran

Robert and Eileen Fine *, Y

Dr. Stuart Lee Fischman Y

Mr. Lawrence C. Franco Y

Mr. Arthur M. Gellman ***

Mrs. Bodil K. Gellman ***

Mrs. Susan Gellman ***

Byron and Dorothy Goldman Memorial Fund

Gordon and Gretchen Gross

Endowment Fund

Mr. Arnold N. Kahn

Mrs. Marlene Katzman

The Doctors David & Emily Kaye

Gunilla and Daniel Kester Y

Mrs. Karen Baker Levin

Sharon Levite *

Mrs. Arlyne G. Levy

Irv and Donna Levy Y Jay Levy Memorial Fund

LiNK Jewish Buffalo

PJ Library

Secure Jewish Buffalo

NEXTGen Jewish Buffalo

$10,000-24,999

Joshua Society (JS)

Joshua Society honors those who personify loyalty, wisdom, and visionary leadership through their philanthropy. Emulating the strength and courage Joshua used to bring the Israelites to the Promise Land, Joshua Society donors lead by example with their generosity and commitment to our community with an individual or family gift of $10,000-24,999.

Dr. Robert and Dr. Tova Ablove

Miriam and Samuel Abramovich Y

Mr. Peter A. Biltekoff

Mrs. Elaine Brothman

Judith and Joel Brownstein * , Y

Capital Realty Group

Bonnie Clement * , Y

Mr. Lawrence Dautch

Mr. David H. Desmon **, Y

Mrs. Janet Desmon *, **, Y

Rose and Bud Frank Fund

Stuart A. Gellman, Esq. Y Jay and Ronna Gershberg

Richard and Debbie Gold

Rob & Shira Goldberg * , Y

Dr. Grant Golden & Ms. Deborah Goldman Y

Mrs. Roberta S. Joseph **

Jerald and Terri Katz Kasimov

Mrs. Rise’ P. Kulick *, Y

Holly W. Levy *, **, Y

Jordan A. Levy **

The Late Susan L. Levy

Mr. Steven Lustig Y

Markel Family Fund

Cathy Shuman Miller and S. David Miller Y

Armand and Lori Morrison Y

Margery S. Nobel *, Y

Dr. Arthur E. Orlick

Dr. Michele Pozarny

Presant Charitable Fund

Dr. Ellen P. Rich ***

Sylvia Rosen Fund

Dr. Laurie S. Sadler

Lori Schkolnick

Blaine and Joan Schwartz Y

Dr. Maxine Seller

Scott and Deborah Shiffner

Mr. James L. Shuman Y

Warren Lippa

Dr. Sol Messinger

Sharon Miller

M&T Bank

Charles and Ellen Niles

Northtown Companies

Mrs. Ellen S. Reis * , Y

Howard Rosenhoch Y

Dr. Samuel Shatkin, Jr. and Mrs. Joanne M. Shatkin

Charles and Penelope Shuman *

Mr. Kenneth Shuman

Marilyn C. Shuman * , Y

Benjamin Smith Charitable Fund

Mrs. Cheryl Stein Y Haskell & James Stovroff

Memorial Fund

Ms. Anne M. Virag * , Y

Dr. Gil Wolfe and Ms. Brenda Fox Y

Mr. Sheldon Yellen Y Anonymous (3)

Dr. Eric L. Snitzer ***

Mrs. Linda E. Steinhorn

Mr. Mitch Steinhorn

Mr. Joseph Sterman

Peggy Sullivan Y

Mrs. Hannah R. Weinberg

Mrs. Julie A. Weinberg Y

Ms. Amelida Ortiz Weinmann

Hon. Peter Allen Weinmann

Samuel and Sophie Weinstein

Endowment Fund

Barbara and the Late Jack Yellen Y

Mr. Stephen L. and Mrs. M. Kim Yonaty

Rabbi & Mrs. Pinny Young

Kayla Zemsky

Shirley Zemsky Fund

Anonymous (3)

$1,800-4,999

Pomegranate Society

The Midrash tells us that the pomegranate has 613 seeds, corresponding with the number of mitzvot found in the Torah. The pomegranate is also a symbol of women's philanthropy, representing a gift of $1,800-$4,999

Mr.

Dr.

Mr. Irving Sultz Y Mrs. Marilyn Sultz Y

The Late Sheila Trossman *,Y

Mr. Gene Warner Y

Dr. Michael B. Weinberg Y Mr. Neil Weinberg

Scott Weinstein

and Wendy Weisbrot Wanye D. and Janet K. Wisbaum

$1,000-1,799

The

Stacey

Mr.

Richard

Dr.

Mr.

FEDERATION

Ms.

Ms.

DeSpirt

Rivi

Mrs.

Ms.

Mr.

Mr. Victor P. Fradin Cantor Arlene Frank

Rebecca Freedman

Yaakov and Zahava Fried

Hannah Friedler

Chaim Friedman

Mr. and Mrs. Danny Friedman

Carol Froehlich

Melinda Galvin

Jennifer Gans

Dr. and Mrs. Michael D. Garrick

David S. Garson, M.D.

Andrew and Pamela Gewurz

Jacob Gewurz

Zachary Gewurz

Ms. Roberta Giller

Mrs. Barbara Ginsberg

Mrs. Thelma Glaser

Eric L. and Bonnie L. Glazer

Mr. Joseph L. Glickman

Mrs. Halli Glina

Robert Gluck

Ms. Ida Goeckel Adrienne Goldman Mr. Glenn Goldman

Engels

Jonathan and Judith Epstein Y

Erez

Brian Ergort

Mrs. Pepy Ettinger

The Late Mr. Donald Falk

Mrs. Lillian Falk

Joshua Feinstein

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Feldman

Mrs. Joy A. Feldman

Mrs. Judy Feldman

Mr. Marwin L. Feldman

Dr. Daniel Ferber

Ms. Jennifer Field

Debra Fields

Mr. Paul Fineberg

Dr. Jeremy D. Finn

Mrs. Ruth Fleming

Adam Fogel

Nandor Forgach

Bonnie and William Fosbury

Rabbi Yonina Foster

Mr.

Mr.

Ms.

Sara

Dr.

The

Markel

Michael Markzon

Joanne Marquisee Lara

Rabbi

Jessica

Sheri Poole

Mr.

Mr.

Todd Schiffele

Marlene Schillinger

Mrs. Marilyn Schillroth Rick Schkolnick

Ms. Carol Schmeidler

Seth and Elana Schrank

Mrs. Sheryl Gutman Schreiber

Mrs. Judith Tulchin Schroff

Corporate Sponsors

The Buffalo Jewish Federation is honored to recognize these businesses for being Corporate Sponsors in 2025. Thank you for your partnership that makes us stronger together.

Diamond ($18,000+)

M&T Bank

Platinum ($10,000)

Buffalo Sabres Foundation

Gold ($5,000)

Amherst Memorial Chapel

Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

The Benderson Family

Silver ($2,500)

Alesco Advisors

Cheryl Stein, LLC

Goldberg Segalla

Hodgson Russ

Jewish Community Center

Jewish Family Services

L&M Wealth Management

Lawley Insurance

Merrill Lynch – DBSR & Associates

Wealth Management Group

Mesnekoff Funeral Home

MVP Network Consulting

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Temple Beth Zion

Uniland Development Company

Bronze ($1800)

Aesthetic Associates Centre

Barclay Damon

Hard Manufacturing Company

Howard Hanna – Karen Baker

Leon Komm & Son Monument Company

Luscious by Lori

Park School

Schapiro Insurance Agency

Shuman Plastics

Temple Beth Tzedek

Wegmans

Anonymous (1)

Friend ($750)

Allied Financial

Buffalo Vaad Hakashrus

Congregation Shir Shalom

Freed Maxick

Hillel of Buffalo

Kehillat Ohr Tzion

Matchmaker Real Estate Team at Keller

Williams Realty WNY – Merredith Levin

National Fire Adjustment Co.

Ohr Temimim School

R.E. Kelley

From Buffalo to Bondi: A Torah’s Journey and a Shared Moment of Light

Last June, Rabbi Sara Rich of Temple Beth Tzedek saw a post in a Facebook group for Conservative rabbis. Rabbi Eytan Hammerman of White Plains posed a simple question: “Does anyone have a lead on a Sefer Torah to be put to good use?” Rabbi Rich quickly responded.

At Temple Beth Tzedek, the congregation is fortunate to possess more Torah scrolls than it can regularly use. While this abundance is a blessing, it also brings responsibility.

Torah scrolls require ongoing maintenance and care, even when they are not in active use. After careful consideration, Temple Beth Tzedek’s Ritual Committee and Board determined that some of their excess scrolls would be better donated to communities where they could be used and maintained.

That response set in motion a series of connections that would eventually span continents. Rabbi Hammerman introduced Rabbi Rich to Rabbi Jo Beilby, the founder of The Wandering Temple, an organization dedicated to bringing Jewish spirituality and care to remote and unaffiliated Jewish communities throughout Australia. Rabbi Beilby leads services, facilitates life-cycle events, and offers Jewish learning in places where access to organized Jewish life is often limited. For her, the opportunity to receive a Torah scroll expands what she can offer to the communities that she serves.

The logistical challenge, however, was considerable: how does one safely transport a Torah scroll from Buffalo to Australia?

What followed were months of coordination, research, and correspondence. In November, the process gained momentum with the involvement of Julie Soforenko, the Director of Operations at the seminary from which Rabbi Beilby was ordained. Wanting to take part in this mitzvah, she volunteered her expertise in logistics. Soforenko carefully researched shipping requirements, customs regulations, and documentation needed to ensure the Torah’s safe passage overseas.

Closer to home, Temple Beth Tzedek Past President Harvey Sanders—longtime point person for all matters related to the congregation’s Torah scrolls—prepared the scroll for transport and personally delivered it to FedEx, sending it on its way to the southern hemisphere.

Then came a moment no one could have anticipated.

On Sunday, December 14th, news broke of the horrific mass shooting at a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. What should have been a public expression of joy and light instead became a moment of grief and mourning. The attack shocked Jewish communities around the world and left many wanting to help the Jews of Australia know that they are not alone.

The next day, an email arrived from Australia: the Torah had landed. Rabbi Beilby shared that amid the darkness and heartbreak being felt across the country, receiving the Torah at that precise moment brought a powerful sense of light and connection. Rabbi Hammerman responded that on a day when those on the opposite side of the world most wished they could offer comfort in person- but could not- the Torah itself arrived as a tangible expression of care.

The arrival of the scroll did not erase the pain of loss, but it served as a reminder of global Jewish connection, shared responsibility, and mutual support. In the months and years ahead, Rabbi Beilby will bring this Torah to the moments that touch people’s lives: Shabbat, B’nai Mitzvah celebrations, Jewish holidays, and more. Its journey from Buffalo to Bondi is now part of its story- and the tales of its future impact will soon be written.

March at B’COL: Learning with Joy and Purpose

As the month of March begins, the B’COL Religious School community continues to grow with joy, curiosity, and connection. Each Sunday, classrooms are filled with meaningful learning across all grades K-7, and it is a blessing to see students engaging deeply with Jewish tradition, values, and community. As the Psalmist teaches, “Ivdu et Adonai b’simcha - Serve God with joy” (Psalm 100:2), and that joy is felt throughout the school.

B’COL is excited to partner with the JCC for the Purim Carnival on March 1 at 11 am. Purim reminds the community of courage, resilience, and the power of coming together. Families and friends will celebrate with costumes, laughter, and shared festivity.

On March 8 at 10:15 am, grades 4-5 students and their families will gather for a Family Education session with Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein. This special opportunity to learn together strengthens family bonds while deepening understanding of Jewish life and values.

B’COL is especially proud that students in grades 4-7 will participate in the Outstretched Arm Seder at Temple Beth Tzedek on Sunday, March 22, joining adults with disabilities for a meaningful intergenerational Passover experience. This beautiful expression of inclusion and compassion reflects the Torah’s call, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

The Ganainu Pre-K program continues to thrive, with new students still joining the community. It is inspiring to see the youngest learners discovering Jewish stories, songs, and traditions in a nurturing environment. At the same time, the one-on-one remote Hebrew learning program is flourishing, offering personalized instruction that builds confidence and skill.

Spring electives for grades 4-7 continue to spark imagination and critical thinking, including Comparative Religion, Ancient Jewish “Tweets,” and a Virtual Trip to Israel. These creative offerings invite students to explore Judaism in dialogue with history, culture, and the wider world. As the Talmud teaches, “Much have I learned from my teachers, more from my colleagues, but most from my students” (Taanit 7a), and the B’COL staff is continually inspired by students’ insight and enthusiasm.

B’COL is deeply grateful to its families, educators, and partners for making the program a vibrant and welcoming community of learning. A special thank-you goes to Susan Bruckeimer, who led and inspired Kugel-making with students last month.

For questions or more information, contact Buffalocommunityoflearners@gmail.com or Rabbi Einav Symons at 716-574-6016.

March: Celebrate Purim

the PJ Library Way!

Purim is one of those holidays that was designed with kids in mind: costumes, stories, snacks, a little silliness baked right in. Let’s lean into all of that joy, while grounding the fun in books, values, and meaningful family moments. Here are five ways families can do just that.

1. Start with a Story (or Three)

Before the costumes go on and the groggers come out, open a book. Reading a Purim story together, whether it’s the classic Megillah retold for kids or a modern PJ Library favorite such as Sammy Spider’s First Purim by Sylvia Rouss, helps children understand why we celebrate, not just how. Try acting out parts of the story or pausing to ask big questions. How did Esther feel? What does it mean to be brave?

2. Dress Up with Intention

Costumes are a Purim highlight, and PJ Library encourages using them as a conversation starter. Talk about hidden identities and inner strength, how Queen Esther hid who she was, and how we all have different sides of ourselves.

3. Make (and Share) Mishloach Manot Together

Assembling Purim gift bags is a hands-on way to teach generosity. Let kids help choose what goes inside, decorate bags, and decide who to give them to – friends, neighbors, teachers, or someone who might need a little extra cheer. Consider taking a basket of homemade hamantaschen to a local service that supports those in need.

4. Get Loud, Then Get Curious

Hearing the Megillah is a Purim must, and kids love booing out Haman’s name. After the noise dies down, take a few minutes to talk about good and evil, fairness, and standing up to injustice.

5. Find a hamantaschen recipe

(see page 29) and try it at home.

Hamantaschen are those delicious triangle shaped cookies. Why are they triangle shaped? They are the exact shape of Haman’s hat! Add your favorite jelly or preserves, chocolate, or candy to the center.

However your family celebrates, Purim is an invitation to read, rejoice, and remember that joy itself is a Jewish value worth sharing.

Buffalo Hadassah: Part of a Bigger Picture

MARCH EVENTS

There are over 700 Hadassah chapters in the United States, and Hadassah International functions on five continents. The Buffalo Chapter participates in programs and fundraising activities in the Northeast Region as well as nationally and internationally.

One of the many wonderful aspects of Hadassah is how welcoming it is to new members and to members who transfer from another chapter. The Buffalo Chapter has transfer members from Niagara Falls, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and Baltimore. Several members maintain their involvement with the Buffalo chapter even when they move to Florida, Colorado, and Arizona.

Hadassah’s mission as a volunteer organization is to inspire a passion for and a commitment to the land, to the people, and to the future of Israel. The organization supports education, medical care and research, and women’s rights. In recent years, it has become very active in establishing policies and programs to combat antisemitism. Members of Buffalo Hadassah continue to be involved in all these endeavors.

One of Buffalo Hadassah’s latest endeavors was raising almost $8,000 toward the cost of a $36,000 THERATrainer Balo specialized equipment for the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Hospital on Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem. The purchase of this equipment was a special project for the Northern New England Region, and the Buffalo chapter was a major contributor toward this purchase. This equipment will help wounded soldiers and other patients with neurogenerative diseases learn to walk again.

Buffalo Hadassah is meeting on Zoom in the winter months, which allowed Kathy Kerstein, from the Boston chapter, and Josie Kavort, from Rochester, to attend December’s Board Meeting. about upcoming programs, email mkatzel@me.com.

Building Community at KOT

Kehillat Ohr Tzion is known as a friendly, welcoming, family kind of shul. It’s always been part of the shul tradition to include all its members when celebrating any simcha.

So recently, when President Jeff Schapiro and his wife Mireille celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, the entire congregation was invited to a 50s-style Sock Hop, where The Grandfathers and Grandmothers Orchestra performed. Jeff plays trumpet in the orchestra, and at the Sock Hop, performed a moving solo dedicated to Mireille.

Around two dozen members of KOT took the opportunity to go out to a Kosher

dinner at the Jewish Federation Apartments catered by Lori Morrison. Many other members of the Jewish community joined, and everyone enjoyed the candlelight meal and being together.

On Tu B’Shvat, Rabbi Schachter conducted a special seder which focused on ecology, Zionism, and connection

to the natural world. The Tu B’Shvat seder included some basic meditation and movement, and as with all events and services at KOT, members as well as non-members were welcomed.

It’s been a long-standing tradition at KOT that pasta boxes are used as graggers on Purim, and after Purim, all the pasta is donated to a food pantry. Two other Purim traditions at KOT are having a Purim se’uda and distributing shalach manot to all members.

In addition to the pasta gragger collection, recent social action activities have included collecting needed items for The Foster Closet, a volunteer agency that supports foster families in the area, as well as for the Daycare Center at Family Court. For information about learning opportunities at KOT, please email rabbischachter75@gmail.com.

Cultivating Growth and Gratitude at Sababah

It has been a season of deep learning and new beginnings at Sababah, Kadimah’s vibrant afterschool program. From the classroom to the Seder table, students and educators are strengthening their connection to Jewish tradition and the natural world.

Strong leadership is at the heart of every successful educational program, and Sababah is pleased to announce a “perfect shidduch” within its teaching team. Beth Steinberg has joined Head Teacher Renee Herman as a support and Sababah teacher. Beth brings valuable local experience, having previously served at both Kadimah and Park, and her established working relationship with Renee ensures a seamless and creative partnership

in the classroom. Renee has shared her enthusiasm for the added support and creativity Beth brings to the learning environment.

Recently, the Sababah curriculum has focused on the theme of gratitude, specifically, appreciating what one has. Students have been learning the blessings associated with different foods and distinguishing between produce that grows from the ground and fruit that grows from trees.

This learning came alive during the Tu B’Shvat Seder, where students explored the deeper meaning of the “New Year for Trees.” Despite the bitter cold outside, the children experienced a sense of freshness and connection to nature as they tasted and explored new foods. Even the most hesitant eaters showed a willingness to try

something new, reflecting the supportive and adventurous spirit of the group.

Visual and tactile learning are central to the Sababah experience. Students regularly participate in engaging, hands-on projects that reinforce classroom lessons. A recent activity featured a food pyramid project in which students categorized vegetables, fruits, and milk while practicing the appropriate Hebrew blessings, including HaMotzi and blessings for various types of food.

These activities are complemented by resources that encourage daily mindfulness, such as Alan Morinis’s Every Day, Holy Day, alongside materials for Shabbat and prayer. Together, they help ensure that every student can find a personal and meaningful path to Jewish engagement.

A Bat Mitzvah Homecoming and Raising Funds to Save Lives

Although Sophie Green’s family had moved to Florida more than a year ago, this thoughtful young woman knew she wanted to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at the place she called home and with the friends she’d grown up with. Young Israel congregants and friends were moved by Sophie’s decision to return to Buffalo for her Bat Mitzvah and proudly welcomed back the family for the milestone occasion.

The large gathering, including people from every segment of Jewish Buffalo as well as from Toronto and Cleveland, listened attentively as Sophie spoke on the values of “unity” and of “honoring one’s parents.” She explained that these values figure strongly in her Torah portion, “Vayigash.” Joseph’s brothers sought desperately

to defend each other from the perceived threats of Pharaoh’s Viceroy, and Joseph’s first question after revealing himself to them was, “Is our father still alive?” Mazal Tov, Sophie!

Young Israel is also proud to have recently hosted a fundraiser in conjunction with its Chanukah celebration to benefit ZAKA. ZAKA Search & Rescue is an Israeli organization that responds to deadly incidents such as accidents, terror attacks, and

natural disasters. Its purpose is to save lives, or when that is not possible, to ensure that victims are handled respectfully and humanely.

To help support this worthy organization, Mitch Steinhorn arranged a raffle drawing for numerous beautifully wrapped prizes. Young Israel raised over $1,000 from the more than 70 attendees. This amount was added to the total Buffalo drive for ZAKA, which had also been arranged by Mitch.

Building Bridges with Music

This holiday, more than 500 people attended Give, Gather, Drum, an event held at Temple Beth Zion (TBZ) and hosted by local charity None Like You/We Care, offering people in need gifts, clothing, toiletries, and a hot meal all for free, but the deeper impact centered on an encounter with authentic Jewish community and values.

A unique opportunity emerged as the founders of Peace Drums Project visited Buffalo the same day. The mission of Peace Drums Project, founded in Haifa, Israel, is to bring Christian, Muslim, and Jewish children together to create steel drum ensembles. A lecture from the founders along with the rental of

School mixed, mingled, and made music with guests.

The event also welcomed guests into the Jewish Museum of Buffalo, offering tours and activities related to Judaism and the history of Jews in Buffalo. For many attendees, it marked their first encounter in a Jewish space and with Jews.

The founders of the Peace Drums Project were blown away by TBZ and the Jewish Museum of Buffalo’s approach to relationship building.

Co-founder, Dr. Harvey Price commented, “We’ve been touring synagogues around the United States, and what you are doing is exceptional. You’re telling people a story of Judaism that is both positive and inspiring.”

Peace Drums Project is planning a North American tour sometime in the next year with their students, and they plan to play a concert in Buffalo. Stay tuned for more details.

Jewish Heritage Day School/Ohr Temimim Ski Club Hits the Slopes

The Jewish Heritage Day School/Ohr Temimim ski club is making waves this winter, offering students a thrilling way to connect outside the classroom. Catering to both novice and seasoned skiers and snowboarders, the club is fostering camaraderie and active living among its members.

Community members have joined students and parents on the slopes, making it a true community effort.

The club’s success is a testament to the school’s commitment to providing enriching extracurricular activities.

“We’re thrilled with the turnout, especially among students who are new skiers and riders,” says Sonia Gellman Young, school parent and president of the school board, who runs the club. “There’s definitely a buzz about ski season at school!”

Celebrating the Festivals at CJL

The Center for Jewish Life (CJL) invites the community to celebrate Purim and Passover with a joyful and meaningful lineup of programs for all ages. From festive parties and Megillah readings to inspiring Seders and hands-on activities, CJL offers warm, welcoming experiences that bring Jewish tradition to life for children, teens, families, women, and seniors.

PURIM

Purim Party

Celebrate Purim Under the Sea on March 3, 5-7 pm at CJL’s signature Purim Party featuring a gourmet dinner, live music, a grand costume parade, and an unforgettable bubble show for the whole family.

Megillah Readings

Public Megillah readings will take place throughout Amherst, Buffalo, Clarence, and Niagara Falls, each followed by refreshments, music, and Purim activities.

Programs for Every Age

• Families: Family Hamantashen Bake - February 22, 4-5 pm

• Women: Purim Women’s Night Out - February 19, 7 pm (create your own Dubai chocolate in a joyful, creative setting)

• Children:

- CKids Purim Patisserie - March 1, 11:30 am–12:30 pm

- Kosher Mini Chefs (Purim edition, March 1, 4-5 pm

• Teens: CTeen Purim Party with music, dancing, and connection

CJL will also bring Purim joy to local hospitals and senior centers and deliver Purim meals to elderly community members and Holocaust survivors.

For more information and registration, visit JewishBuffalo.com or call 716-639-7600.

PASSOVER

Community Passover Seders

CJL’s vibrant Passover Seders bring the Exodus story to life with a four-course gourmet kosher-for-Passover feast, Shmurah Matzah, four cups of wine, and engaging storytelling that blends timeless wisdom with modern meaning.

• First Seder: April 1, 7:45 pm

• Second Seder: April 2, 8 pm

Programs for Every Age

• Children:

- CKids: The Great Seder MagicMarch 29, 11:30 am-12:30 pm

- Kosher Mini Chefs: Matzah Bakery, March 29, 4-5 pm

• Women: Passover Women’s Night Out - an evening of creativity and celebration

• Teens: CTeen Passover event decorating Seder plates with alcohol ink

CJL will again visit hospitals and senior centers and deliver Passover meals to elderly community members and Holocaust survivors.

Passover-To-Go & Gourmet Holiday Meals

Enter Passover with ease by ordering CJL’s gourmet holiday menu, featuring entrées, fish, chicken soup, kugel, sides, vegetables, and desserts— everything needed for a beautiful and delicious Seder.

You can’t imagine the reward. Adopt a teen.

Two Truths, One Heart: CBA Hosts Powerful Program on 3/15

On Sunday, March 15, Congregation Beth Abraham (CBA) will host a powerful and timely presentation featuring Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Noor Awwad, leaders of the Israeli-based organization Roots (Shorashim in Hebrew, Judur in Arabic). Rabbi Schlesinger and Mr. Awwad will appear live via Zoom on Beth Abraham’s jumbo screen.

Roots is a joint IsraeliPalestinian grassroots initiative based in Judea & Samaria/ the West Bank that promotes understanding, nonviolence, and transformation. It brings together local Palestinians and Israelis who have come to see one another not as adversaries, but as partners, grounded in mutual recognition of each people’s national identity and deep connection to the land.

Roots created and operates the only joint Israeli-Palestinian community center in the West Bank/Judea & Samaria - a rare, sacred space that hosts social, religious, and educational programs, and that brings together hundreds of Palestinians and Israelisneighbors who are choosing to learn to live together. Through personal relationships and shared experience, participants begin to understand a central truth: there are two narratives, not one, in this land, and the only way forward is to honor them both.

A defining feature of Roots is its engagement of religious Muslims and religious Jews, including Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, an area Palestinians view as part of their future state. Roots is built on the belief that shared experience is essential to achieving freedom, dignity, and security for both peoples.

The presentation will also address the ongoing war in Gaza and its implications for people-to-people peacebuilding in general, and for Roots in particular.

Brunch will be available at 11:30 am, followed by the program at 12 noon.

The event is co-sponsored by Congregation B’nai Israel, which will be presenting the program simultaneously in its own building.

For more information about Roots, visit friendsofroots.net.

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No Fail Hamantaschen Dough

BY ROBIN KURSS

Every year I try a new Hamantaschen recipe and every year I say, next year, I am coming back to this one…my no fail, easy and delicious Hamantaschen dough. The fillings can be anything you like…traditional poppyseed or prune, apricot or cherry. I’m going to try a Dubai Chocolate filling this time around.

May your Purim celebrations be joyous and delicious!

No Fail Hamantaschen Dough

(makes 5 dozen)

Dough Ingredients:

1 c sugar

1 c oil

½ c orange juice

Zest of 1 orange

3 eggs

4 c flour (may need a tad more)

Pinch salt

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ t baking soda

1. In bowl of mixer, beat sugar and oil on low until combined.

2. Add orange juice, zest, and eggs. Mix to combine.

3. Add flour, salt, baking powder and soda and mix to combine.

4. Form dough into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

6. Working with half the dough at a time, roll dough out to about ¼ of an inch. With a glass (my Bubbe’s way) or a cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as you can. (I like a 3" glass or cookie cutter)

7. Place about 1 tsp of filling in the center of each circle and bring the 3 sides together to form a triangle. Chill on tray in fridge for 20 minutes.

8. Bake until slightly golden…about 20 minutes.

Dubai Chocolate Filling Ingredients:

½ c pistachio paste (easily found near in peanut butter aisle)

½ c Nutella, or chocolate tahini spread (also available in the peanut butter aisle)

½ c shredded wheat, shredded and toasted in a little butter

¼ c pistachios chopped

1. Toast the shredded wheat in a pan with a little butter until golden. Cool completely.

2. In a bowl, combine the Nutella or chocolate tahini and pistachio paste so that it still has swirls or pistachio paste visible.

3. Fold in pistachio nuts and the cooled shredded wheat.

Jewish Community Organizations in Western New York

Buffalo Jewish Federation

338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B

Williamsville, NY 14221

716-463-5050

buffalojewishfederation.org

Miriam Abramovich - CEO

Blaine Schwartz - President

Buffalo Vaad of Kashrus

716-634-0212

buffalovaad.com

Rabbi Avi Okin - Rabbinic Administrator

Mike Steklof, Ed.D. – President

Center for Jewish Life

Suburbs: 757 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-639-7600

jewishbuffalo.com

Rabbi Laizer & Chani Labkovski

Downtown: 1016 Lafayette Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209

716-545-6806

Rabbi Mendy & Chaya Mushka Labkovski

Chabad House of Buffalo

2450 North Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068

716-688-1642

chabadofbuffalo.com

Rabbi Moshe Gurary

Rabbi Avrohom Gurary

Chabad of Niagara Falls USA

716-703-8770

ChabadNiagaraFallsUSA.org

Rabbi Yehuda Lorber

Mrs. Yehudis Lorber

Chai Early Childhood Center

757 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-580-4600

chainursery.com

Chani Labkovski - Director

Community Relations

338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B Williamsville, NY 14221

buffalojewishfederation.org

Rob Goldberg - Senior Advisor

Harvey Sanders - Chair

Department of Jewish Thought

712 Clemens Hall – University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14260

716-645-3695

jewish-studies@buffalo.edu

jewishstudies.buffalo.edu

Dr. Noam Pines - Chair

Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

2640 North Forest Road

Getzville, NY 14068

716-204-1133

jewishphilanthropies.org

Irv Levy - Executive Director

Craig Small - President

Hadassah

2640 North Forest Road

Getzville, NY 14068

716-929-6504

buffalohadassah@gmail.com

Frima Ackerhalt and Phyllis Steinberg - Co-Presidents

Hebrew Benevolent Loan Association

2640 North Forest Road in FJP offices

Getzville, NY 14068

716-463-5065

wnyhbla.org

Judith Katzenelson Brownstein - President

Hillel of Buffalo

Campus Center of Jewish Life

520 Lee Entrance/UB Commons

Suite #101B

Amherst, NY 14228

716-616-0083

hillelofbuffalo.org

Mike Steklof, Ed.D., Executive Director

Laura Hemlock-Schaeffer - President

Holocaust Education Resource Organization

338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B Williamsville, NY 14221

buffalojewishfederation.org/herobuffalo

Lauren Bloomberg - Director Armand Morrison - Chair

Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo

Benderson Family Building 2640 North Forest Road

Getzville, NY 14068

716-688-4033

jccbuffalo.org

Patty Simonson - CEO

Sheryl Schechter - President

Holland Family Building 787 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209

716-886-3145

Jewish Discovery Center

831 Maple Road

Williamsville, NY 14221

716-632-0467

jewishdiscovery.org

Rabbi Heschel Greenberg

Jewish Family Services of Western New York

70 Barker Street Buffalo, NY 14209

716-883-1914

jfswny.org

Molly Short Carr - CEO

Harold Star - Chair

Jewish Federation Apartments

275 Essjay Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-631-8471

jewishfederationapartments.org

Krista Bryk - Property Manager

Jewish Federation Cemetery Corporation, Inc.

P.O. Box 440 West Seneca, NY 14224

buffalojewishfederation.org

716-548-7676

Debbie Pivarsi - Manager

Jonathan Schechter - President

Jewish Museum of Buffalo

Cofeld Judaic Collection

Co-located within Temple Beth Zion 805 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209

Jewishmuseumofbuffalo.org

Jill Abromowitz Gutmann - Director

Robert Hirsch - President

Kadimah Scholars at Park kadimah.org

miriam treger - President

Kosher Meals on Wheels 757 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221 716-639-7600

koshermow.com

Rabbi Laizer Labkovski - Director

Jeffery Pasler - President

LiNK Jewish Buffalo

338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B buffalojewishfederation.org/link Williamsville, NY 14221

Kirstie Henry - Chair

Ohr Temimim School

411 John James Audubon Parkway W. Amherst, NY 14228

716-568-0226 ohrtemimimschool.com

Rabbi Shmuel Shanowitz - Principal

Sonia Gellman Young - President

Western New York Synagogues and Temples

Chabad House of Buffalo (unaffiliated) 2450 North Forest Road Getzville, NY 14068 716-688-1642 chabadofbuffalo.com

Rabbi Moshe Gurary

Rabbi Avrohom Gurary

Chabad of Niagara Falls USA 716-703-8770

ChabadNiagaraFallsUSA.org

Rabbi Yehuda Lorber

Mrs. Yehudis Lorber

Congregation Beth Abraham (Conservative) 1073 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY 14222

congregationbethabraham.net

Cantor Irwin Gelman

Marty Kerker - President

Congregation Havurah (Reform) 6320 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 716-833-3165 congregationhavurah.org president.havurah@gmail.com

Daniel Mink - President

Congregation Shir Shalom (Reform/Reconstructionist) 4660 Sheridan Drive Williamsville, NY 14221

716-633-8877 shirshalombuffalo.org

Rabbi Alexander Lazarus-Klein

Cantor Arlene Frank

Joanne Marquisee - Executive Director

Joe Glickman - President

JDC Shul (Unafilliated) 831 Maple Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-245-9520

jewishdiscovery.org

Rabbi Heschel Greenberg

Rabbi Levi Greenberg

Rabbi Yehoshua Greenberg

Kehillat Ohr Tzion (Modern Orthodox) 879 Hopkins Road

Williamsville, NY 14221

ohrtzion.org/kot

Rabbi Shlomo Schachter

Jeff Schapiro - President

Knesset Center (Orthodox)

500 Starin Avenue Buffalo, NY 14214

716-832-5063

chabadofbuffalo.com

Rabbi Shmaryahu Charitonow

Saranac Synagogue (Orthodox) 85 Saranac Avenue Buffalo New York 14216 saranacsynagogue.org

President - Shmuel Rashkin

Vice President - Reuven Alt Gabbai David Kunkel

Temple Beth Tzedek (Conservative) 1641 North Forest Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-838-3232

btzbuffalo.org

Rabbi Sara Rich

Cantor Mark Spindler Cantorial Soloist Zahava Fried

Beth Kassirer - President

Kim Jones - Administrator

Temple Beth Zion (Reform) Sanctuary & Offices 805 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209

Religious School 700 Sweet Home Road Amherst, NY 14226 716-836-6565

tbz.org

Rabbi Brent Gutmann

Cantor Susan Lewis-Friedman

Ken Graber - President

The Family Shul (Unaffiliated) 757 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221

Rabbi Laizer Labkovski 716-639-7600

Young Israel of Greater Buffalo (Orthodox) 105 Maple Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-634-0212

yibuffalo.org

Rabbi Avi Okin

Richard Berger and Michael PaskowitzCo-Presidents

In Remembrance

The following individuals in our community passed away during the period from December 13, 2025 – February 17, 2026, their memories forever be a blessing, and may their loved ones be comforted among the mourners of Zion.

Richard Russell Arnold

Merwyn Brenner

Ronald S. Cohen

Irene Martyak Dunlop

Ursula Falk

Debra Renee Feldman

David Frommann

William James Flynn III

Lois Fried

Iris Katz

Emmanuil Khait

Kenneth A. Krackow

Joan Kossoff

John M. Laping

Lawrence

Robert

Mark

Peter

Steven

Marion Tasman

Allen Yasgur

Henry Zeve

If we inadvertently missed printing the listing of your loved one, please email jjwny@buffalojewishfederation.org and we will include the name in the next issue.

(NOT) THE LAST WORD

13 Years in the Making of a Truly Special Paper

BY BARBARA MACKS

Several months ago, I was working on putting together a new logo for the Jewish Journal B’Mitzvah edition when Miriam Abramovich asked if I would do the honor of writing (Not) The Last Word. Let me share that I was honored, and a bit intimidated. As a publisher, I wear many hats, and writing is typically not one of them.

Inspiration was luckily around the corner. I recently returned from a weekend away sharing in the bat mitzvah of a dear friend’s granddaughter. It was an amazing weekend that brought so many thoughts to mind when I listened to the rabbi as he spoke in synagogue, and to the bat mitzvah giving her speech. This moment truly is a rite of passage, a big deal in our Jewish faith. It is a transition from childhood to young adulthood, a time of making decisions and changes in your life, of people expecting you to answer to things differently, of understanding how important community really is and will be to you, to making people aware of who and what you are becoming as you grow into your adult years.

I believe this transition can happen not only for people, but also with things. I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working side by side with Larry and Sharon Levite for 27 years. Larry as many may know was a visionary and shared with me his ideas for what our publishing company could become, one of which was, truly, to publish a community Jewish paper. Well, unfortunately at the time there was already one, the very successful Buffalo Jewish Review that was in all our households for many years.

As life would have it, Larry would

a “new” Jewish paper in Buffalo when he was made aware that the owner of the Review was going to retire and move to New York. The Review would no longer exist. He came to me, “Barbara, can we do a monthly Jewish paper, how long would it take for us to build a new paper, new look, new content, new distribution, and partner with the Jewish Federation to provide a whole new publication to our community?” Six months later, after many meetings, a group of Spree artists, Larry Levite, Mike Wise, Barbara Macks and Ellen Goldstein (who by the way this paper would not be what it is today without her passion, style and knowledge of the Jewish community) said "of course we can, Larry," and 13 years later here we are!

We met with leaders of the Federation, Mike Wise, then CEO, and Rob Goldberg, soon-to-be CEO (who has been so vitally important in many of the ideas that built the paper), shared our thoughts, rules, commitment, passions and changes and ended up with an award-winning editorial publication that reflects the amazing Jewish Buffalo community in which we all live.

Over time, the Federation’s organizational team evolved and is now led by Miriam Abramovich and developing leaders, alongside an entirely new and

original Federation staff has grown into a new leadership structure. Our approach has evolved as well. Where we once relied on an independent editor, we now work collaboratively with an editorial team. Visually, the paper has been elevated through the talent of Kim Miers of Buffalo Spree, whose artistry has helped shape a publication that truly looks and feels like a Jewish paper. Through her thoughtful design, she has brought beauty, elegance, and storytelling to every page.

Now it’s Sharon Levite and I on the production and publishing side. The paper reports on local as well as worldwide news. We’ve experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in the last 13 years. Change is constant. The way we grow, evolve, and move forward continues to shift. But the community is equally

around us each day. Our readers look forward to the paper’s arrival, sharing how proud they are of it: its stories, its voice, its look, and its content.

If you take this back to understanding how important 13 years truly is, we’ve lived through those years of growth and change. We started out as an infant, and we are now a teenager making changes in our everyday lives, offering stories to tell about our wonderful community and hoping that the next chapter will bring us another celebration.

This is truly (NOT) the last word, and we plan to have many more years to tell our stories and share with our amazing community!

Barbara Macks is Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer, and Publisher of Buffalo Spree Publishing.