Jewish Journal May/June 2024

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As Buffalo prepares for a bustling spring and summer, the Jewish community eagerly anticipates significant commemorations and celebrations. Notably, on May 5, the Jewish Federation’s Holocaust Education Resource Organization (HERO) will host a solemn observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, at Roswell Park. This year’s event holds special significance as it includes the dedication of a permanent outdoor mural honoring the Righteous Among the Nations showcasing our local heroes (see pages 4-5).

Roswell Park’s esteemed reputation in cancer research and treatment provides a fitting backdrop for this Holocaust remembrance. The mural serves as a poignant tribute to those who risked everything to save Jews during humanity’s darkest period, reminding us of their courage and compassion.

In addition to the HERO event, the Jewish community eagerly awaits the next installment of the Made in Buffalo (MIB) series. Under the theme “Made in Buffalo - Stayed in Buffalo,” this event celebrates local Jewish business leaders who have not only built successful enterprises but have also chosen to invest and thrive in their hometown of Buffalo (see opposite page).

Featuring a discussion with a diverse panel of entrepreneurs, the MIB event offers invaluable insights into their journeys to “make it” in Buffalo. From startups to established ventures, these leaders exemplify our community’s entrepreneurial spirit, showcasing the endless opportunities within Buffalo’s dynamic environment. Made in Buffalo 2024 will take place Sunday, June 2 at 3:30 pm at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

As we honor our past and celebrate our present, these upcoming events underscore the resilience, creativity, and collective strength of Buffalo’s Jewish community. Together, we pay homage to history, celebrate our achievements, and eagerly anticipate a future filled with promise and opportunity.

I hope that you along with your friends and family, will join me for these and other exciting events and gatherings this Spring.

Marjorie Bryen, President, BJF

This month, HERO will gather the community to dedicate a powerful outdoor mural on Sunday, May 5 following its annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration. The events begin at noon in the RSC Auditorium at Roswell Park and honor several Buffalo families, all of whom are descendants of those who survived the Holocaust. The new mural will feature three Hungarian born individuals recognized by Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations” and who made WNY their home.

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The Buffalo Jewish Federation Is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America and the American Jewish Press Association

Made in Buffalo is Back on June 2

Those who call Buffalo home, whether or not they still live in the community, know the sense of pride and closeness that makes Buffalo special. There is a deep connection and love of this place, and we think it should be celebrated.

Made In Buffalo, an ongoing series powered by the Buffalo Jewish Federation, shines a spotlight on those famous Buffalonians who cut their teeth right here in our backyard on Sunday, June 2 from 3:30 –5:30 pm at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

The goal for Made in Buffalo is to celebrate personalities who can lay claim to being “made” in our region and allow the Buffalo Jewish Federation to provide a dynamic program as a gift to the greater community.

Since 2017, Made in Buffalo has hosted individuals including Seth Godin, Cheryl Stern, and Gary Ginsburg, who grew up in Buffalo and now live elsewhere. This year, the planning team – Margie Bryen, Nancy Fernandez, Jordana Maisel, Randi Murphy and Hadar Borden - are changing it up and hosting four unique individuals who were made in and then chose to stay in Buffalo.

Dan Miner, Senior Program Manager at Start-up NY, will lead a moderated conversation with Janna WilloughbyLohr, Dave Horesh, Julia JornsaySilverberg and Eric Reich.

Janna Willoughby-Lohr is an artist, poet, musician and self-proclaimed “mompreneur”. Her business, Papercraft Miracles, is an eco-friendly handcrafted paper art company—making magical things out of paper that bring meaning to people’s lives. Janna founded Papercraft Miracles while still in college in 2003 and after returning to Buffalo in 2004, has been building the brand here ever since.

Dave Horesh, co-founder of Oxford Pennant, has a significant relationship with Buffalo, New York, where his entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement have flourished. A University at Buffalo graduate, Horesh,

along with Brett Mikoll, started Oxford Pennant in 2013 with the aim of reviving the classic American pennant and contributing to the local economy. Their business, which proudly carries a “Made in Buffalo” tag, reflects their commitment to the city’s manufacturing legacy and their desire to have a positive impact on the community.

Julia Jornsay-Silverberg is the founder of Bravery Beats, a dynamic boutique social media agency that takes a very human and customized approach to helping brands show up online. With a passion for helping businesses not just survive but thrive in the digital landscape, Julia brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic insight to the table. Julia has deep roots in Buffalo, embodying the spirit of the city in every aspect of her work.

Eric Reich is the co-founder of Campus Labs, having founded the company while pursuing a JD and an MBA at the University at Buffalo. Eventually, Campus Labs would

become the standard in data and analytics technology in higher education, being utilized by over 2,000 elite institutions, state flagships, as well as by smaller colleges and two-year schools. After leading Campus Labs to be acquired in 2020, Eric has since become a recognized leader in Buffalo’s efforts to develop a local technology ecosystem with abundant earlystage entrepreneurial ventures, through serving on the boards of the 43North and TechBuffalo.

Dan Miner

Eric Reich

Janna Willoughby-Lohr

Dave Horesh

Julia Jornsay-Silverberg

HERO Awards

Presented on May 28

The Holocaust Education Resource Organization’s (HERO) Annual Award Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 28, 7 - 8:30 pm at Congregation Shir Shalom (4660 Sheridan Dr., Williamsville). The community is invited to celebrate the winners of this year’s Arts & Writing Contest, Sophia Veffer Upstander Award, Toby Ticktin Back Educator Award, and the new Abek Feigenblatt Student Upstander Award. A kosher dessert reception will follow.

The theme of this year’s Arts & Writing Contest, for students in grades 7-12, is the 85th Anniversary of the Kindertransport. Students who submitted artwork or writing responded to one of two prompts: Describe the challenge faced by the parents or children of the Kindertransport or explore the theme of loss experienced by either the parents or children of Kindertransport.

The Sophia Veffer Upstander Award was created in 2018 in honor of local Holocaust survivor, Sophia Veffer, who has dedicated her life to creating a more just world. Sophia encourages students to act as global citizens, to assist those who need help and to stand up in the face of adversity.

The Toby Ticktin Back Education and Excellence Award is named after the founder of the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo. This award is given to an outstanding educator who has dedicated a significant amount of time and energy teaching the history and lessons of the Holocaust.

Brand new this year, the Abek Feigenblatt Student Upstander Award is for WNY students in grades 7-12 who recognize when something is wrong and stands up for what is right. This award is named in memory of Abek Feigenblatt z”l, childhood friend of Holocaust survivor Gerdan Weissmann Klein z”l.

To attend, please register: bit.ly/ heroawards24.

For more information, please contact Lauren Bloomberg at lauren@ buffalojewishfederation.org.

HERO Dedicates Powerful Mural May 5 at Roswell Park

HERO, the Holocaust Education Resource Organization, powered by the Buffalo Jewish Federation, will dedicate a powerful outdoor mural on Sunday, May 5 following its annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration. This year’s commemoration will begin at noon in the Research Studies Center (RSC) Auditorium at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Roswell). Buffalo’s mural will feature three Hungarian born individuals recognized by Yad

Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations” and who made Western New York their home. The mural is part of the Artists 4 Israel’s Righteous Among the Nations Global Mural Project to honor the heroism of non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. The mural will be painted on the southern wall of the RSC by Hungarian artist, Taker.

Righteous Among the Nations Global Mural Project

HERO has partnered with Artists 4 Israel that has created a multimedia initiative in which artists paint stunning buildingsized murals honoring heroes who defied Nazis and risked their own lives to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. Five murals have been completed around the word in New York City, Los Angeles, and cities in Portugal, Greece, and Israel. Buffalo will be the sixth location and the only mural to have three individuals in one piece. Hungarian artist, Taker, traveled to Buffalo from Budapest in early April to begin the project.

“Our goal in creating these murals is to inspire others to fight antisemitism like these righteous heroes - we are modeling heroism to defeat hatred and provide a map for future upstanders,” shares Craig Dershowitz, CEO of Artists 4 Israel. Hate takes many forms: ideological through words of intolerant speech and calls for BDS or violently through the actions of terrorism and war. “Artists 4 Israel combats, solves and heals for both of these extremes,” continues Craig. “Our international network of artists are agents of change; their creativity and talent beautify society, uplift people and enhance our understanding of Israel.”

WNY Heroes

The three Western New Yorkers featured on the new mural - Tibor Baranski, Clara Ambrus and Sister Margit Slachta - lived in Hungary and risked their lives to rescue, hide and save thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Shoah. “All three have unique stories,” shares Lauren Bloomberg, Director of HERO, “but their goals were the same – to defy the Nazis and save thousands of innocent Jews from extermination.” Wendy Weisbrot, co-chair of HERO added: “There are few Righteous Among the Nations who lived in the United

States and that we have three in our beloved hometown is remarkable. And when we learned that Tibor’s wife, Katalin, along with Clara and her husband, Julian, were all research scientists at Roswell— dedicating their lives to finding a cure for cancer – we reached out to leadership at Roswell to see if they would like to be our partner and host for the mural.”

Roswell Park

HERO is grateful to Roswell for embracing this opportunity. “We’re excited to welcome Taker and this beautiful artwork to our campus and to be partnering with HERO and Buffalo Jewish Federation on a commemoration with deep resonance for our patients and our team,” said Candace S. Johnson, PhD, President and CEO of Roswell. “This mural will pay tribute to three individuals one of them a trailblazing Roswell Park researcher — who demonstrated remarkable bravery so that others could live.”

Physical attacks against Jews, antisemitic events and Holocaust denial have reached disturbing levels worldwide and continues to rise. By positioning murals in important and high-profile locations like at Roswell and using media

and technology such as a scannable QR code, visitors to the mural can learn about the Holocaust and its heroes.

Taker

The artist chosen by Artist 4 Israel to paint the mural is Taker. Born in Budapest, Taker started painting in 2001 and has painted throughout the world in the US, United Kingdom, Spain, Israel Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, and Slovakia. “My goal is to create works that have a great impact on people by their quality and their monumentality,” he shares. “And to beautify our built environment to make people lives a bit happier.” Taker’s base style is photorealism and for this new mural, he has photographs of the three WNY heroes, taken during the war, to display on the mural.

HERO is thankful for the generous support of Senator Tim Kennedy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, the families of Tibor Baranski and Clara Ambrus, The Buffalo Jewish Federation, and many community donors for contributing to this project. For more information on both the Yom HaShoah commemoration and the ribbon-cutting for the mural, please email Lauren@ buffalojewishfederation.org.

Every June, in Buffalo and around the world, many celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. Pride is a time to celebrate, affirm and honor the LGBTQ+ community and the continuing fight for equality. Pride was originally established to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan, the bar patrons fought back against what had become routine harassment by the New York City Police Department.

Pride has a long history in Buffalo, dating back to the 70s. As a conservative, steel town, the gay community in Buffalo could then be described as closeted and highly divided among gender lines with separate dances and picnics for men and women to celebrate Pride.

In the 80s, the gay community became more centralized with the founding of the Buffalo Gay & Lesbian Community Network by Carol Speser and Larry Peck.

The History of LGBTQ+ Pride in Buffalo

This group led many Pride gatherings during these years.

Two hallmark events occurred in the 90s, in 1993 over 500 Buffalonians traveled to Washington for a march demanding equal rights and liberation for Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals. Then in 1998, to ensure continuity, a community group called Pride Buffalo, Inc, was formed as a non-profit to ensure a permanent home for the planning of Pride celebrations.

The 2000s saw Pride Buffalo be absorbed into the Pride Center and Pride being expanded into a weeklong festival with the format that remains in place to this day.

Continue the legacy of Pride Buffalo by showing up to events such as the Pride Parade and Pride Festival taking place this year on June 2. Want to walk in the parade with Jewish Buffalo? Contact Mike Steklof at mike@buffalojewishfederation.org.

Mike Steklof, Ed.D. is Senior Director of LiNK Jewish Buffalo and part of the Eshel community.

Remembering

BY MIRIAM ABRAMOVICH

Memory, both individual and collective, forms the cornerstone of Jewish identity. From our personal and familial memories to our shared history, Jewish people are bound together by threads of remembrance. In the tapestry of Jewish life, the concept of “zakhor,” or remembrance, resonates profoundly, shaping rituals, narratives, and the very essence of Jewishness.

Embedded within the fabric of Judaism are countless injunctions to remember. We are commanded to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,” one of the Ten Commandments. Twice in the Torah we are told to “remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt.” Joseph remembers all his dreams. When we have lost a loved one, we invoke the phrase “zichrona livracha,” meaning, “May her memory be a blessing.”

From Passover’s reenactment and retelling of the Exodus story to yahrzeit observances for those whom we have lost, Jewish tradition pulses with the rhythm of remembrance. Even in modern

Jewish history, the call to “Never Forget” is an enduring commitment to honor the memory of those lost during the Holocaust. Elie Wiesel would remind us that “Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.” These demands and rituals invite reflection: Where does memory intersect with Jewish identity? Why do we remember and why do we forget?

In the turmoil of this past year, these questions find resonance. In a world besieged by heart wrenching crisis, endless distractions, and relentless demands, it is so much harder to focus, to notice, to remember the contours

of everyday life. Sometimes we might wonder, is it better to forget? But the act of remembering, even when it is hard, can provide a sense of steadiness, knowing that we are part of a continuum that stretches back generations.

In addition, the Jewish calendar can be a salve. Each year, each season, persists in reminding us that we have the obligation and opportunity to slow

down, to focus and remember. This month, we will observe Yom Ha’Shaoah, Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Over the course of nine days, we will remember those lost to the shoah , and fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, and we will celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel. In this context memory is not merely a passive recollection; it is a dynamic force that shapes our perceptions, informs our decisions, and defines our identities.

In the tapestry of Jewish life, every stitch tells a story, binding us to the past and propelling us toward the future. In the month ahead, let us not forget the sacrifices of those who came before us, nor the lessons they imparted. Let us cherish the collective memories that sustain us, drawing strength from the wellspring of our heritage.

Miriam Abramovich is Chief Operating Officer at the Buffalo Jewish Federation.

Miriam Abramovich

“And You Shall Tell Your Children”

I’m a bit astonished that Passover is a distinct and meaningful memory, as I put away our Haggadot and still find a few remaining matzah crumbs in the most obscure places. Our Seders were vibrant and beautifully chaotic in our son and daughterin-law’s home in Chicago, with both their families present, now one family through marriage. New traditions were introduced, family stories shared, and like many of you, we had an empty chair at our table to represent the October 7 victims, hostages and soldiers who continue to remain in our hearts. We pray for their safe return.

Although all Jewish festivals entail remembrances, Passover is the ultimate memory holiday. The Haggadah literally means “recounting” or “telling.” Its pages do not merely tell the story, but position us as storytellers, through the act of reading from it at the seder. The immersive experience which includes the re-enactment of the Exodus, with plenty of matzah and marror for adults and children around the table, ensures that what happened long ago is kept in living memory.

On that night, we observed a unique command, the command of communication and education, as it states in Exodus 13:8, “And you shall tell your children…”

As we approach our annual community Yom HaShoah commemoration on May 5, I believe that there is an essential link between Passover and Yom HaShoah – it is in the power and necessity of remembrance. The Bible taught Jews to remember and retell the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt with the crossing of the Red Sea and the journey through the dessert, to the dream of a Promised Land. Our few remaining local Holocaust Survivors, and now our Descendants of the Holocaust, remember and share their tragic stories of incomprehensible loss to validate their survival; they tell the stories for those who did not survive, while fervently hoping to transform the future by taking the lessons of the Holocaust forward to future generations and generations beyond.

Yehuda Bauer, Israel’s most significant Holocaust scholar and educator has listed three commandments as stemming from

esteemed heroes had the moral courage to share their stories because both the Survivor and Righteous Among the Nations, simply put, knew how critical it was to not be a bystander.

And so, HERO, the Holocaust Education Resource Organization (formerly HRC) invites you on Sunday, May 5 to an incredibly moving and historic day in Jewish Buffalo where you will have the opportunity to be inspired and empowered by Holocaust Survivors, their Descendants, and the Descendants of WNY Righteous Among the Nations.

Please join us at noon in the Research Studies Auditorium at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as we gather as a unified and resilient community to commemorate Yom HaShoah as we honor the Ambrus, Baranski/Forgach, Bink, Feldman, Joffe, Morrison, Redlich/Stein, Weinstein, and Weinrieb families. Following our commemoration, the ribbon cutting of our Righteous Among the Nations Mural will take place outside of Roswell’s

Research Studies Auditorium to honor three extraordinary Hungarians who risked their lives to rescue, hide, and save Hungarian Jews during the Shoah. Tibor Baranski, Dr. Clara Ambrus, and Sister Margit Slachta were honored and named by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. You will hear from their descendants how they defied the Nazis to collectively save more than 10,000 innocent Jews from extermination.

Let us remember and tell our children of the heroic and selfless stories we will hear on May 5, and let us look to take those lessons from the Holocaust forward. The Talmud teaches that if a person saves one life, it is as if they’ve saved an entire world. May we all recognize that one moment of upstanding can transform, and as individuals may we always strive to be among the Righteous.

Wendy Weisbrot is Co-Chair of HERO and a Second-Generation Holocaust Survivor.

Were You Married in 1999?

Wendy Weisbrot

Temple Beth Tzedek to Celebrate the Installation of Rabbi Sara Rich

Congregational Milestone Coupled with Rabbi Isaac Klein Memorial Scholar-In-Residence Weekend featuring Rabbi Rachel Isaacs

Temple Beth Tzedek (TBT) will mark a historic milestone with Rabbi Sara Rich’s Installation as its Senior Rabbi on May 10-11. A rabbinic installation is a lifecycle event in the history of a congregation and not only consecrates the rabbi’s role with the shul, but also marks a ritual embrace by its board, members, the rabbi, and the community to their shared sacred partnership.

Rabbi Rich is the first female rabbi in the 177-year history of Temple Beth Tzedek and its predecessor congregations. Her installation will be the first in TBT’s new sanctuary. The Shabbat will feature Rabbi Rachel Isaacs, an innovative rabbi and dear friend of Rabbi Rich.

The weekend begins with a festive congregational dinner on Friday night, May 10 at 6 pm, with the keynote

address by Rabbi Isaacs at the 7:15 pm Shabbat service. The formal installation during morning services begins at 9 am followed by a kiddush luncheon and will be capped off with a special late afternoon Minyan and Seudat Shlishit (third meal). Full details are available at btzbuffalo.org.

Embracing TBT’s Sacred Mission

Ordained by Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in New York, Rabbi Rich spent the first 12 years of her rabbinate on campus, first as Director of Education at Princeton University Hillel and then as Executive Director with Hillel of Buffalo from 2017 to 2023. She and her family have been familiar faces at TBT since moving to Buffalo seven years ago. Rabbi Rich is married to Ezra Rich and is the mother of Miriam, Sivan, and Naomi.

A Teacher full of Buffalove

Reflecting on the upcoming installation, TBT President Linda Boxer notes, “It was fortuitous that as we were forming our rabbinic search committee, Rabbi Rich was deciding to pivot in her career to look for a pulpit. With Rabbi Rich, we have found a rabbi who teaches with every drash (sermon) and is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects. She shows compassion and understanding to the bereaved. Young and old feel comfortable in her presence.”

Buffalo Jewish Federation CEO Rob Goldberg played a key role in recruiting Rabbi Rich for the Hillel role, is an active TBT member, and frequently collaborates with her. He emphasizes, “Talent drives every organization – whether on the playing field, in the board room, or in sacred spaces like TBT or Hillel. When Federation was restarting Hillel of Buffalo, we sought the top talent of the Movement. Sara was the perfect fit – her authenticity, Jewish skills, and most of all how she treasures the student experience - created a winning recipe in which to reimagine and grow Hillel. But more than that, she and her family embraced Jewish Buffalo, and the community is now blessed that Sara is leading Beth Tzedek in the same fashion as Hillel: with warmth, humor, passion for Jewish living, and care for others.”

Embracing Small Town Jewish Life

TBT’s 2024 Klein Scholar in Resident is Rabbi Rachel Isaacs. A graduate of Wellesley College and The Jewish Theological Seminary where she was also a Wexner Graduate Fellow, Rabbi Isaacs currently serves as the spiritual leader of Beth Israel Congregation in Waterville, Maine. She is the Executive Director of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College and is the inaugural holder of the Dorothy Levine Alford Chair in Jewish Studies. She lives in Waterville with her wife, Melanie Weiss, and their two daughters.

“I am incredibly honored to be included in Rabbi Rich’s installation,” says Rabbi Isaacs. “We have known each other since before we began rabbinical school, studying together in Jerusalem in our early 20s. Sara is an exemplary rabbi who embodies the best features of our tradition: a commitment to scholarship, a dedication to social action, and a passion for building a spiritual community.”

Rabbi Isaacs will give three presentations over Shabbat: “Resilience in the Jewish Tradition” at Friday night services, a Torah teaching at Saturday morning services, and “The Blessings and Challenges of Small-Town Jewish Life” at the late afternoon Se’udat Shlishit.

To learn more about Rabbi Rich’s Installation Shabbat, including dinner reservations and the digital journal celebrating this auspicious occasion, please visit btzbuffalo.org.

Rabbi Rachel Isaacs Rabbi Sara Rich

Community Is Our Middle Name

CANTOR MARK HOROWITZ

In her book Illuminating Care, Carol Garboden Murray writes: Caring is expansive and inclusive, available to all, and strengthened by the diversity of humanity.

Jewish Community Centers are among the most diverse organizations in the Jewish world. That is true in Greater Buffalo as well. If you walk through our doors in either the suburbs or downtown Buffalo, you will find our 6,000 members who gather to learn, to play, to gather, to eat, to get fit, to experience culture and more; from babies to boomers and beyond, from dozens of countries around the world who are of every race and ethnicity imaginable, who speak more languages than I could name here.

Community is our middle name. We take that seriously here at the JCC of Greater Buffalo and believe ourselves to be a caring community in every sense of the words as described in the quote above.

When the Buffalo Jewish Federation approached us to be in their second Buffalo cohort of the Jewish Federations of North America JEDI (Jewish Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) initiative, we said yes immediately. We chose for our eleven-person team a diverse group in every possible way. Our CEO, our program directors and professionals from Health, Fitness and Recreation to Performing Arts and Cultural Arts to Early Childhood Education who were Jewish, of other faiths and multiple ethnicities and races.

Among the many goals of the program are to ensure that professionals in Jewish agencies be in a community of practice and advance their community in creating a culture of belonging. We have worked hard at that goal for each of our 79 years. A culture of belonging, for us, means an organization where employees feel safe, included, and valued. That’s quite a goal in an agency of 350 employees.

So, we signed on for sessions with our two wonderful facilitators, Dr. Amy Shuman and Federation professional Rachel Beerman, who shepherded us so beautifully through an amazing curriculum which included; Exploring Social Identity and Implicit Bias, Understanding Systemic Racism in America, Jewish Racial Diversity & Building a More Inclusive Jewish Community and more.

Rachel and Amy guided us with care and expertise that helped us to create a shared language, increase our knowledge, consciousness and particularly our self-awareness in these areas. The conversations were sometimes raw,

Yom Ha’Atzmaut with Israeli Writer, Performer and Director, NIV PETEL

Through a generous grant from JCC Association of North America, the JCC of Greater Buffalo has invited writer, performer and director Niv Petel to join us from Israel as part of our celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Petel’s theater piece, KNOCK KNOCK, describes what it’s like to be a parent in the shadow of armed conflict. The play follows the journey of Ilana, a single mother whose job as an Israeli Officer of Casualty Notifications is to knock on the door of families whose sons or daughters have been lost in war.

Such proximity to loss makes Ilana’s role as a mother only more difficult – she is constantly haunted that one day, she might receive a knock on her own door, with unfortunate news. Her conflict between motherhood and duty as citizen reaches a deafening climax when her only son chooses to serve on the front line of battle. This heartful story, played entirely by Niv Petel,

evokes an emotionally rich narrative describing the internal conflict among families when they are faced with the call for war.

emotional, and enlightening. We worked in small and large groups and engaged in exercises that opened our minds, hearts, and souls.

We have concluded the official program and are now working to ensure that both the relationships that grew stronger among the team, and the progress we made amongst ourselves, can be disseminated throughout the culture of the J. Not an easy task, for sure, and we are up for it! We are definitely ready.

Alan Stein Jr., a Performance Coach, writes:

The highest performing organizations in the world have high self-awareness, are selfreflective, and are constantly recalibrating. They adapt. They modify, amend, adjust, and evolve.

We are on this journey together and hope that when you stop in the J, which we hope you will do often, that when you are greeted at the welcome desk, the early childhood center, the basketball court, the pool, the Jewish Repertory Theater, the fitness center or to see a film or hear a concert, that you will notice that this JCC of Greater Buffalo is a community that cares for each and every one of you.

Cantor Mark Horowitz is the Chief Operating Officer at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London, in 2015, Niv’s credits in the UK include: NotMoses (Arts Theatre); Red Riding Hood (Hoxton Hall); La Strada(UK tour and West End season).

The JCC will be presenting KNOCK KNOCK in two performances. On Saturday evening, May 18, KNOCK KNOCK will be at the Alley Theater Cabaret at 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo at 7 pm. This will be an invitation-only performance. On Sunday afternoon May 19, the performance is open to the entire community and will be at Congregation Shir Shalom at 4660 Sheridan Drive. Williamsville at 4 pm. This performance will be preceded by a reception and followed by a talkback with the performer and creator of the play, Niv Petel.

Niv Petel, was originally trained in Israel, at The Performing Arts Studio, founded by Yoram Loewenstein, in TelAviv. Niv worked in theatre, TV and voiceovers, and won the award for Best Actor in Theatre for Youthand Children, 2014, for his role in the one-man show Snowball. Since graduating from

For more information and details, please be in touch with Cantor Mark Horowitz, COO at the JCC by email at mhorowitz@jccbuffalo.org or by phone at (716) 204-2078.

You can purchase tickets for the May 19 performance at the front desk of both the Holland and Benderson buildings, online at jccbuffalo.org, or by scanning the QR code below.

Spotlight: Celebrating Teachers in Jewish Buffalo

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6 – May 10, 2024), we are spotlighting three outstanding Jewish WNY teachers - Julia Helfman, Max Zimmerman, and Liat Notaro. This annual commemoration originated in 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt convinced Congress that teachers needed to be recognized. However, it would take another 27 years for it to become an official national day in 1980, and in 1984, National Teachers Day became Teacher Appreciation Week.

Max Zimmerman

Max Zimmerman is a Physical Education Teacher and Coach at Williamsville North High School. A teacher for 12 years, Max spent 4 years teaching at Autism Services Inc. in Buffalo and has been at Williamsville North for the last 8 years. North’s JV Football, Unified Bowling, and Varsity Baseball coach, Max wanted to become a teacher because, “I knew I wasn’t the type of guy that was going to be working a desk or sales job. I enjoy working with kids and liked sports for as long as I can remember and knew it would be a great avenue to get into coaching. I was lucky to know what I wanted to do since I was 16 years old, and fortunate enough to land a job at my alma mater.”

Max also shared, “I love watching kids grow and gain confidence over their 4-year high school career. Helping them find their passion through athletics and fitness, then watching them develop into contributing young adults is cool.” In his free time, Max loves to exercise with his wife Shauna at Revolution Buffalo, take their goldendoodle Holly for walks in Delaware Park, and likes to relax and watch a great movie or TV show. Max attended The College at Brockport for his teaching degree and played baseball for 4 years. While growing up in Buffalo, Max attended Camp Centerland, Hebrew High, and enjoyed being a JCC member as a kid.

Julia Helfman

Julia Helfman co-teaches 6th grade in the North Tonawanda School District and is a Special Education teacher at North Tonawanda Intermediate School (NTI). Julia got her start at NTI in September 2020 as a long-term substitute which led to her first full-time position at NTI starting in September 2021. Julia says she wanted to become a teacher because she wanted to help make a difference in children’s lives. “I value student relationships and connecting with students daily, and I wanted to teach Special Education specifically. Students with disabilities always need an advocate, and I wanted to be that person. If you’ve ever been taught by a teacher who loved their subject, you knew that it made the class more enjoyable. Becoming a teacher means making a difference in the lives of children and shaping them into the adults they’ll become with lessons that will last a lifetime.”

She also shared, “Everyone can say they like their job, but I genuinely love waking up in the morning and getting ready to teach. I work with two fabulous co-teachers, and we collaborate on lessons and make the curriculum engaging and fun. We all have a friendship outside of work which is a perk. The students come in every day with a new story or something they want to tell me, and it makes it so worth it for them to share their thoughts with me.”

Outside of teaching, Julia is a swim coach for North Tonawanda Modified Sports and is the assistant coach for JV and Varsity track at North Tonawanda. She loves to travel with friends and family and be active, even if it is a quick workout, hike, or walk outside. Julia attended SUNY Cortland for her undergraduate education and graduated with a dual degree in General Education and Special Education for grades 1-6. She took extra classes through SUNY Cortland to extend her degree for General Education and Special Education for birth to 12th grade and completed her master’s degree from Buffalo State. Julia says “Growing up I was involved with the Jewish Community. I was part of the Jewish NFTY NEL events for most of my high school career. I was even a board member for a bit. I helped with running events during the year that took place at temples, whether it was for Hanukkah or Purim. Also, a big part of my Jewish identity is attending Jewish sleep-away camp since I was 8 years old. I went to Camp Lakeland and then attended URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) Camp George for 14 years. I was a camper, counselor, assistant unit head, and unit head at camp.”

Liat Notaro

Liat Notaro is a Reading Specialist in Buffalo Public Schools, teaching students in kindergarten-6th grade using a multi-sensory intervention reading program called Orton Gillingham. She started her teaching career at age 19 by teaching in a local pre-school, where she worked for 8 years. From there, she taught 3rd and 4th grade in a Buffalo Charter School for 5 years. After that, she spent 2 years teaching in a Buffalo private school, then taught 1st grade in the Buffalo Public Schools. Her goal was to become a reading teacher/interventionist and was given the opportunity two years ago. Liat says she wanted to become a teacher since she was a little girl: “I always knew I wanted to become a teacher. My grandmother taught 1st grade for 30 years, my mother was an early childhood director and Jewish educator, and my aunt was a teacher as well. I have a passion for helping children learn to read and showing them the joy stories and literature can bring them.”

Liat’s favorite part about teaching is, “Seeing the happiness on my students’ faces when they work through a challenging word or sentence. The educational growth of my students throughout the year, whether small gains or large, is what keeps me motivated to continue to teach each year.” When she isn’t working, Liat enjoys spending time with her family and visiting local parks and playgrounds, as well as swimming at the outdoor pool at the local JCC. She also enjoys reading and listening to podcasts.

Liat received her bachelor’s in social science from UB and her Master’s in Elementary Education and Post-Master’s in Literacy from Medaille College. As a young child, she attended Camps Centerland and Lakeland. She was a part of BBYO and attended religious school at the former Temple Beth Am, which is now Congregation Shir Shalom. “As an adult I love seeing my children get to experience a Jewish enrichment through attending pre-school at the former PALS Kadimah and the JCC. It’s a full circle moment to see my daughter enjoy Camp Centerland with my camp friends’ children.” Liat is married to her high school sweetheart, Joshua, and has two children, Liora (8) and Zev (5). Liat was born in Israel and moved to Buffalo when she was 5 years old. Liat says “We chose to name our children with Israeli/Hebrew names so they would have a connection to Israel and their Jewish heritage. My father and his side of the family still live in Israel. I pray for peace so that one day soon, we can take a family trip there and be reunited with my Israeli family.”

The Buffalo Jewish Federation is delighted to spotlight Altman Dental, one of our Gold 2024 Corporate Sponsors.

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by being a digital green office to remain carbon neutral. In addition, the company feels strongly about giving back to the community through their work with PJ Library, FeedMore WNY, and UB’s smile giveback, where less fortunate individuals in the community receive free treatments. For an exceptional patient experience – from the first phone call to scheduling an appointment through the creation and maintenance of a beautiful smile – Altman Dental has you every step of the way. For more information, visit altmandental. com, call (716) 831-8018, or email info@ altmandental.com.

BY STUART GELLMAN

Crafting a Legacy of Compassion through Philanthropy

As we enter our so-called golden years, we take heed and concern ourselves with just what legacy we might leave behind that will serve as a reflection of what and who we were during our lifetime. I personally wrestled with these thoughts, and ultimately this introspective journey led me to a consideration of the following:

• What proper legacy could be formed that would honor my family (past, present and future)?

• What personal beliefs, actions and hopes could I make sure my family would remember that would serve as a foundation for how they would live their own lives.

• And lastly how would my life have an impact amidst the community where I spent most of my life. Crafting a solution that brought together these multifaceted dimensions presented a formidable challenge. Despite exploring various charitable avenues, none quite encompassed the entirety of my vision until

my partner Judy led me to a serendipitous encounter with Bob Milch and the Hospice and Palliative Care organization of Buffalo —a pivotal turning point in my journey of self-reflection.

Inspired by Hospice’s mission and guided by the principles of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies’ Life and Legacy program, I created a plan that seamlessly merged personal and communal philanthropy.

Meeting with the Executive Group at Hospice was as if I was among family. Within that intimacy, they shared their hope of building a pavilion which would serve to further their community commitment to

the families whose loved ones occupied the Hospice campus as well as providing a facility that could be used for organizational and public events. Ultimately, I was honored to be asked to spearhead this endeavor and honored further by having the facility named the Stuart Gellman Family pavilion. Added to all of this was a personal thought; the hope that this pavilion would also serve as a special place where my children and grandchildren might congregate to laugh and perhaps cry while recalling the many memories of past family days together.

I am appealing to my friends and family to join me in creating this special place. It is my fervent hope that this sacred sanctuary will emerge as a beacon of compassion, healing, and unity—an enduring testament to the indomitable spirit of generosity and communal solidarity at the heart of not only our Jewish faith, but those of Hospice as well. I encourage you to consider learning more about this project and meet with their team. You will find that there are more ways to honor your loved ones and create a family legacy within their plan. I have worked closely with Elizabeth Siderakis of the Hospice Foundation, and she would welcome your call. You can reach her at 716983-1921 or esiderakis@palliativecare.org.

In furtherance of my personal aspirations as set forth above, I was led to the Life and Legacy program supported by the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and the Buffalo Jewish Federation. Through Life and Legacy there is an opportunity for us to consider bequests in our estate planning to perpetuate the secular as well as religious ideals of our Jewish families. As I thought about this along with my personal feelings for those special institutions which I have supported over many years, I realized that I did not want that support to cease abruptly upon my passing. Therefore, instead of leaving a bequest to the Foundation on my death, I created, with the aid of the Foundation, a Restricted Endowment Fund that would remain in existence for 10 years after my death. During that time, my children would function as stewards of these funds, in collaboration with the Foundation, to invest and make yearly contributions to those organizations that I supported throughout my life. At the end of the initial 10 years, the remaining funds would then be integrated with the Foundation’s Life and Legacy Fund, thus perpetuating my cycle of giving for generations to come.

I must say that although what is encapsulated above represents the culmination of my personal charitable goals, in formulating those goals, I owe a special debt of gratitude to the Foundation for its guidance, knowledge experience, and most of all, to its values which were instrumental in guiding me to everything set forth above.

Stuart Gellman lives and practices law in Amherst and is a lifelong member of Jewish Buffalo.

Life & Legacy® at Buffalo

Marcie Frankel Models a Lifetime of Giving

“It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it.”

– Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Fathers) 2:16

Total Legacy Commitments

Received: 447

Total dollar amount:

$13,717,342

Total Number of Donors: 250

As of April 10, 2024

Marcia (Marcie) Rashman Frankel’s journey through life has been intertwined with a spirit of generosity and a commitment to community. From her earliest days attending Sunday School at Temple Beth Zion, Marcie learned the value of giving through weekly Tzedakah and her legacy of giving spans generations and touches countless lives.

Growing up amidst the retail legacy of her grandfather Louis L. Berger, who founded L.L. Berger Inc. in 1905, Marcie’s ties to business were strong. Most of her family worked for the store, including her husband Marvin (z’l), long-time lawyer, and VP of L.L. Berger. Educated in economics with an internship at a stock brokerage firm, Marcie realized this wasn’t her calling. She married, stayed home with her three children, and volunteered extensively in community work. When the time was right, Marcie went to graduate school to study gerontology.

Life & Legacy® is a partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), which supports communities across the US and Canada in promoting legacy giving to build endowments that will provide stability to the organizations comprising the fabric of Jewish life.

Now is its third year, Life & Legacy® at Buffalo, a collaboration of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and the Buffalo Jewish Federation, has worked with local synagogues, agencies, and organizations to secure the future of Jewish Buffalo.

These commitments have been obtained by making legacy giving central to Buffalo’s communal philanthropic culture the norm, with gifts which are meaningful to each individual, no matter the level, enabling all donors to be philanthropists.

Life & Legacy® is also utilizing a new brand, which is rooted in Judaism through the eternal burning flame, symbolizing the ongoing and future “passing the torch” from generation to generation (L’Dor V’dor)

For more information, please contact Linda Barat, Life & Legacy at Buffalo Coordinator, at Linda@jewishphilanthropies.org or (716) 204-2259.

Beloved community volunteer and philanthropist Rose Frank knew of Marcie’s newfound passion and, simultaneous to the opening of Jewish Federation Apartments, asked if she would be interested in starting a program for older adults at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Getzville. Indeed, she was and did so for 28 years!

Marcie’s love for working with older adults was rooted in her growing up in Buffalo with a great grandmother, and grandparents she adored. When the Frankel’s lived in Baltimore, she also spent much time with her husband’s aging grandmother, helping to care for her.

Loving her work at the JCC where she felt very at home and connected to the Jewish community, Marcie declined other options. She created a wide range of enrichment programming, supervised the Congregate Dining lunch program (through Erie County), arranged busing to and from the building as well as day and occasional overnight trips. Time allowing, she worked with teens when the JCC was involved with sending them to Israel. For the final five years of her career, she was Founding Managing Director of the Jewish Repertory Theatre (JRT), retiring at the age of 70.

Ready for her next act, another special person reached out to her, Ruth Kahn Stovroff, devoted Jewish leader and philanthropist. Ruth paved the way for Marcie to become active in

the community in other ways, including serving on the boards of the Rosa Coplon Home, In-Home Support Services, Jewish Federation Housing, and the Olmsted Center for Sight (now VIA).

Marcie believes these two women –Rose Frank and Ruth Kahn Stovroff –came into her life for a reason, each at the right moment to guide her; it was bashert – meant to be!

Growing up in a family deeply committed to Buffalo and philanthropy, Marcie was instilled with a sense of responsibility to give back. She witnessed firsthand the impact of collective generosity and the power of coming together as a family to make a difference, embodying the spirit of tikkun olam—the Jewish concept of repairing the world. As she reflects, she remains committed to ensuring that her beloved Jewish Buffalo will thrive for generations to come.

Marcie has put her beliefs into action and made a legacy commitment to Temple Beth Zion, the Jewish Community Center, and the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies through Life &

and for the Jewish community to be alive and strong going forward.”

With this simple and profound commitment, dedication and legacy, Marcie has left an enduring mark on her community—one that will be celebrated and cherished for years to come.

• Literacy Intervention

• College Essay Writing

• Executive Function Coaching for Adults (1:1 and group coaching)

• Executive Function Coaching for College Students

• Executive Function Coaching for Teens

• Monthly ADHD Support Group for Women

• Professional Development Workshops

• Goal Setting Workshops for Groups and Organizations

Harvey Sanders Appointed New Co-chair of JCRC

Harvey Sanders brings extensive leadership experience, thoughtfulness, and deep passion to collaboration to his new role as co-chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), powered by Buffalo Jewish Federation. Only a few weeks after he officially started, Harvey shared inspiring words about the role of JCRC to those gathered for the WNY Leadership Briefing: “Our Rabbinic teachings include Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) composed more than 1800 years ago. It has statements of advice, ethics, and wisdom. One of my favorites is attributed to Hillel (1:14): If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if

I am for my own self [only], what am I? And if not now, when? This quote encapsulates why I am involved in community work.”

When asked to reflect on Harvey’s new role as co-chair, Rabbi Sara Rich of Temple Beth Tzedek (TBT) remarked, “Harvey is equally admired as a leader who is vocal when he has advice or ideas to share, and as one who works quietly behind the scenes to get the job done. At TBT, we count on him in so many ways, and are so proud of his leadership as co-chair of JCRC.”

“What I have been emphasizing as my goal for the rest of the year is the need to focus on communication,” Harvey notes. “Post October 7 and with the election coming up, it is more important than ever. In this world of increased antisemitism, we cannot retreat into isolation. And in the polarized world that we live in, we need to be engaged in conversation – even with people with whom we disagree. It is only through active listening that we can understand each other and try to find common ground. Community engagement is how that happens.”

For more information on JCRC, visit buffalojewishfederation.org/ community-relations.

Harvey Sanders

Temple Beth Zion Presents

The Stained Glass Concert Series

On Sunday, May 5, at 3 pm, Temple Beth Zion will host the inaugural program of their Stained Glass Concert Series. A Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra String Quartet, led by Roman Mekinulov, BPO (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) Principal Cellist, will present an uplifting program to inspire the spirit on Yom HaShoah. The concert will be held in the Temple Beth Zion sanctuary at 805 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. A reception with the artists will follow the concert.

The second program in the series will be on Sunday, June 9 at 4 pm, with Israeli pianist Ran Dank. Dank is Associate Professor of Piano at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.

The Stained Glass Concert Series will run from May 2024 through February 2025. The amazing lineup of concerts includes musicians: Sivan Magen, Israeli harpist & First Prize Winner, Israel

Harp Competition and Itamar Zorman, Israeli violinist in recital; Nikki Chooi, violinist and BPO Concertmaster, with pianist in recital; a BPO Brass Quintet; Eastman Organ Department Chair David Higgs; Nusantara Arts Balinese Gamelan Ensemble of Buffalo; Chamber Music program led by Robert Hausmann, BPO Cellist.

The Stained Glass Concert Series has been a tradition at Temple Beth Zion since 1996. The new series of events, held in partnership with Buffalo Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Center, will take place at 805 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, on Sunday afternoons and include receptions following each of the programs. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For information and future dates, go to tbz.org or call (716) 836-6565.

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Ohr Tzion Plans Going Away Party for Rabbi Bergman

Rabbi Ori Bergman became the rabbi of Kehillat Ohr Tzion (KOT) in 2017. He arrived in Williamsville with his wife Nora and children Ruvi and Simcha, and immediately became an active member of Jewish Buffalo and a beloved and respected leader of KOT.

Rabbi Bergman has an amazing way of engaging with people—young and old, Jewish, and non-Jewish. He is a good listener who loves to talk to people and always attracts a following wherever he goes. Strangers at Dash’s would approach him to ask questions about Judaism and he would always find time to talk to them. Once people start talking to him, they often want to learn more, which is one of the reasons some people from Canada would cross the bridge to take his classes and attend KOT functions.

In addition to being a pulpit rabbi, Rabbi Bergman has been involved

in many other Jewish activities in the Buffalo area such as teaching at Kadimah Academy, providing Kosher supervision through the BVK (Buffalo Vaad Ha Kashrut), working with the Jewish Inclusion Task Force and with LINK at the Buffalo Jewish Federation. He teaches classes at KOT, and he has always been available for setting up individual study sessions. In addition to all his synagogue responsibilities and his work with the rest of the Jewish community, he is also an Associate Lawyer at the Lighthouse Family Law Practice in Canada.

The Bergman family will be leaving Buffalo this summer so that Ori can start a branch of the Lighthouse Family Law Firm in Ottawa, Canada. It was a difficult decision for the Bergman family to make since they love being part of the Buffalo Jewish Community and feel that KOT has been like a family to all of them. The Rabbi shared: “It is hard to put into words… my heart belongs to Buffalo. I have met so many people here who I consider to be role models and I want to be

like the people here.” He further reflected on what it will be like for him to be a full-time lawyer, he said, “Going into law is a job whereas being a rabbi is a passion.”

Being an important part of a Jewish community will always be his goal, and he will look to find ways in Ottawa to volunteer and to contribute in Jewish ways to the community.

Kehillat Ohr Tzion is planning a going away party for Rabbi Bergman and his family on Sunday, June 23. The congregation is grateful to the Rabbi and will always cherish the simchas they celebrated together and wish the entire Bergman family–Ori, Nora, Ruvi, Simcha, Devora-Leah, Zusha, Akiva and Nadav–well in their new home.

Rabbi Ori Bergman

Celebrating Purim in the 716

For military veteran caregivers, caregiving often starts earlier in life and lasts longer. To better care for your loved one, you must also care for yourself.

Kadimah Annual Community Dinner returns June 5

Kadimah Scholars, a joint-venture program of Kadimah, the Buffalo Jewish Federation and Park School of Buffalo, is pleased to announce the return of our annual community dinner event, to honor a legacy of Jewish education and service to the community.

Kadimah’s annual dinner is a decadesold tradition to bring the Western New York Jewish community together while celebrating our collective achievements. Historically held at the end of the academic year, it was suspended in favor of a family-oriented gathering at the Buffalo Zoo since 2020 because of health and safety concerns following the Covid19 pandemic.

This year’s Annual Dinner will be held Wednesday, June 5, at 6:30 pm, in the Terrace Room at the Statler in downtown Buffalo. Kadimah is grateful to Statler owner Douglas Jemal for his generosity

in enabling this year’s celebration at the historic and glamorous hotel.

This year’s honorees are Dr. Gale Burstein and Howard Rosenhoch. Dr. Burstein, a onetime Kadimah student and daughter of longtime Kadimah volunteers, has been Erie County’s commissioner of health since 2012, and stood at the front line of the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic four years ago. A pediatrician by training and a clinical professor at University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Burstein led the fight to ensure that Western New Yorkers would be protected and remained steadfast in her actions, even as she and many other health professionals around the country faced criticism from skeptics over their decisions in an unprecedented global crisis.

Rosenhoch, a retired Buffalo attorney, was born and raised in Manhattan before

moving to Buffalo to earn his bachelor’s and law degrees at the University of Buffalo. He and his late wife, Valerie, remained in Buffalo and became ingrained in the Buffalo Jewish community as supporters and leaders. He has been a longtime advocate and donor to Kadimah, where his son, Alan, is a graduate, a board member, and a former board president. Rosenhoch has also served as president of Temple Beth Zion, Hillel of Buffalo and the Buffalo Jewish Federation and is currently the co-chair of Jewish Buffalo’s Life & Legacy campaign team, helping 11 participating synagogues, agencies, and organizations – including Kadimah – to build lasting endowments.

The Kadimah Dinner, featuring heavy hors d’oevres, drinks and desserts, will be catered by Luscious by Lori, under the Va’ad HaKashrus of Buffalo. Valet parking will be available for the event.

Tickets are $125 per person. Sponsorships and advertisements are available at various levels from small messages to event sponsors, and can be purchased online at kadimah.org, by email at office@kadimah.org, or by phone at (716) 836-6903.

CRS Closes Year with

Yom Ha’atzmaut Picnic

Students at the Community Religious School (CRS) are entering their final month of school this year. There have been so many activities, experiences and opportunities for growth, connection, and celebration!

The year culminates with ceremonies to celebrate the 7th graders moving into the role of Madrichim and the Kindergarteners moving up to 1st grade. CRS will honor their dedicated staff and express deep appreciation to the students’ parents. A special thank you goes to the clergy of Congregation Shir Shalom, Temple Beth Tzedek and Temple Beth Zion for their hard work and commitment over the year. They teach, sing, council and inspire. On May 19th, the CRS family will take part in a Yom Ha’atzmaut picnic for the close of the year.

For more information on our academic program for students Pre-K through 7th grade, the Madrichim program for 8th-12th graders, or to become a supporter, please contact Einav Symons, CRS Director at (716) 574-6016, or visit crsbuffalo.com.

The Buffalo Hadassah Board has started meeting in person again after a two-year hiatus. In addition to gatherings at the Benderson Jewish Community Center (JCC), Hadassah also participates in many programs through the Northeast Region and National Hadassah. We recently participated in a program about the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Mount Scopus where the most severely wounded soldiers have been treated with the newest technology. These kinds of programs reinforce our connection with the greater Hadassah community and with Israel. Hadassah members will have a chance to see each other and schmooze at the next jewelry sale at the JCC and at a tour being planned for the Burchfield Penney Art Center. For more information on

Spring Plans for Buffalo Hadassah Temple Beth Tzedek Embraces Spring with New Prayerbook and Programming

It will be an active spring at Temple Beth Tzedek (TBT) and we welcome the community to join in a range of exciting upcoming events, from our Rabbinic Installation on May 10-11 (see page 8 for details) to our community-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot, our Kesher Outstretched Arm Shavuot Celebration, as well as opportunities for young families, Women’s Network, and Men’s Club. Please visit btzbuffalo.org for more information.

Prayer of the Heart

As Temple Beth Tzedek builds upon its storied history toward an exciting future, the congregation will begin utilizing Siddur Lev Shalem (“the full heart” in Hebrew) as its prayer book for Shabbat and festivals. Published by the Conservative Movement’s Rabbinical Assembly, Siddur Lev Shalem is the Shabbat equivalent of the Mahzor Lev Shalem for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that Temple Beth Tzedek began using a decade ago.

Like the mahzor, Siddur Lev Shalem includes new translations in

programs email Marlene tmkatzel@ me.com.

Throughout the year, Jan Liebowitz, our Mitzvah Chairperson, collects items that are needed by Jewish Family Services (JFS) and other agencies to settle recent immigrants to our community. Anytime during the spring months, and especially before Passover, seems like a perfect time to go through your kitchen and find cooking and eating supplies that you really do not need but that these new families could use. During this time, we are hoping that our members and friends will find time to check their closets as well for items like umbrellas, cleaning products, hangers, or even new fire extinguishers that are no longer needed. All these items would be so appreciated by JFS. Please email Jan at jan.liebowitz@gmail.com.

contemporary language, a commentary providing historical context as well as kavanot (intentions), poetry, and prose that expand and enrich one’s relationship to the text.

Rabbi Rich will be highlighting areas of the prayer service over the coming months as part of our adoption of the new Siddur Lev Shalem.

To learn more about the new Siddur Lev Shalem, including dedication opportunities in honor of a loved one, a milestone, or the congregation, please visit btzbuffalo.org. Copies are also available for purchase to enhance your home library.

Jewish Family Services of WNY partners with Habitat for Humanity

Jewish Family Services of Western New York (JFS) and Habitat for Humanity Buffalo have announced a new

partnership to assist with donations of household items. JFS now refers in-kind donors to Habitat Buffalo for any furniture and other household donations that they are unable to accept, to sell in one of its two Habitat ReStore locations.

The ReStore is a socially conscious, ecofriendly retailer, which sells items at a fraction of the retail price. All money raised by the Habitat ReStore goes towards constructing homes in Western New York. As part of the partnership, JFS caseworkers receive a discount at the Habitat ReStore on purchases for clients.

“While JFS regularly accepts household donations for home setups for our clients, sometimes we face space limitations or might not have a need for that item at that particular time,” said Lauren Maguire, vice president of development & community engagement, Jewish Family Services. “These household donations, in addition to volunteer time, are what help to make a house a home for our clients.”

In 2023, 130 donors contributed the equivalent of more than $215,000 in household goods to JFS, and volunteer teams furnished 66 apartments for clients through the organization’s home set-up volunteer program.

Household donations that are clean and in good condition collected by both organizations include upholstered or solid wood furniture, working appliances 10 years or newer, home décor, and more to help set up a home. A complete guide to what items Habitat accepts can be found at habitatbuffalo.org/restore

“JFS caseworkers have been shopping at the Habitat ReStore for years. The furniture that they purchase helps to turn apartments into homes for their families,” said Alex Lauer, director of development and communications, Habitat for Humanity Buffalo. “This new partnership is an exciting opportunity for donors to support the work of two mission-driven organizations and the people we serve while also ensuring that donated items

are going where they can make the biggest difference.”

Habitat also offers pick-up of oversized furniture items and offers donation drop-offs for items that fit in a vehicle. Donors can schedule a pick-up online at habitatbuffalo. org/restore or by calling (716) 2040740. The Habitat ReStore now has two locations for donation drop-offs: 1675 South Park Ave. in Buffalo or 1030 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Tonawanda. Donations are accepted 10 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

JFS currently has a need for several household items, including household cleaning supplies, especially paper towels, dish detergent, and all-purpose cleaner, all toiletries, diapers, new blankets and linens, area rugs, general school supplies, durable medical goods, sunscreen, large pots, pans, and cooking vessels and vacuum cleaners. If interested in donating goods, please contact David Jankowiak, community sponsorship coordinator at (716) 883-1914 ext. 405.

Rabbi Foster Brings Jewish Renewal to Buffalo

Four years ago, Rabbi Yonina Foster scheduled her first Shabbat morning Jewish Renewal service in WNY just as the world shut down due to Covid. Now revived and renewed, Rabbi Yonina will begin by offering two Renewal services at 10 am on May 4 and June 1. Location to be determined; potluck to follow.

Rabbi Yonina welcomes you to experience a spiritually uplifting Shabat morning with learning and teaching moments incorporated into the flow of the service. She will guide you through the liturgy with contemplation, breathwork, and gentle movement. With decades in Aleph, founded by Reb Zalman SchachterShalomi (z”l), Rabbi Foster completed her rabbinic training in Rabbi Joseph Gelberman’s (z”l) Rabbinical Seminary International. Both Rabbis brought Chassidut and tradition together in a Modern creative way.

This Jewish Renewal offering may deepen your understanding of traditional liturgy that awakens your body and prepares you for prayer. Once together, worshippers will reflect on reasons for praise and speak to God before hearing God’s Revelation. With chant and song, the gathering will express collective joy and delight in welcoming spring to Buffalo.

Rabbi Yonina returned to Buffalo mid-2017 to rebuild her life following the death of her husband, Steven Katz. Buffalo and Rabbi Yonina have embraced one another ever since. Join in as you are guided through a gentle, enriching Shabbat morning experience filled with song and movement and Torah. Contact Rabbi Yonina at (301) 452-7847 or RabbiYoninaFosterphd@ gmail.com to RSVP.

Celebrate Shavuot with Center for Jewish Life

At a unique crossroads between religion and cuisine, the Holiday of Shavuot that celebrates the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai 3,336 years ago, has become a celebration of fine dairy cuisine as well. Shavuot is celebrated this year on Wednesday and Thursday, June 12 and 13.

As the Torah was given, and the laws of kosher dining were first received, the Jewish People were

not yet capable of properly preparing beef and poultry and as such ate dairy. Exquisite cheesecakes, pizza, lasagna, Greek salad, ice cream and of course, cheese blintzes all take center stage during this ancient celebration. Some suggest that this has contributed to the renewed popularity of this annual holiday.

“No, it isn’t all about the food,” said Rabbi Laizer Labkovski, Rabbi at Center for Jewish Life. “What is important is that the community is joining together, hearing the Ten Commandments, and celebrating the Torah. But the good food certainly helps!”

Center for Jewish Life welcomes the community to its annual Shavuot Ice Cream Party & Dairy Buffet on Wednesday, June 12 at 5 pm. Special program and prizes for all children. The Shavuot celebration is free of charge, and all are welcome to join, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background.

The Center for Jewish Life will also host a Shavuot Jewish Women’s Circle program on Tuesday, June 4 at 7 pm as well as a Shavuot Kosher Mini Chefs on Sunday, June 9 at 4 pm and a Tikun Leil Shavuot – Shavuot lecture series on June 11 at 11 pm.

For more information, JewishBuffalo.com or (716) 639-7600.

Counting up to Shavuot

BY SUSAN GOLDBERG SCHWARTZ

I didn’t realize the significance of the holiday of Shavuot until I celebrated it on a kibbutz in Israel. Everyone dressed in white, performed beautiful folk dances, paraded with the newborn calves, chicks, goats, and bunnies, and ate

delicious cheeses, fresh breads, and of course – cheesecake! Shavuot celebrates one of the most momentous events in Jewish history, the receiving of the Torah. Yet growing up Jewish in America, I was never taught the details surrounding the holiday.

The festival of Shavuot is known by several names, each one amplifying a significant aspect of the holiday.

Z’man Matan Torateinu refers to the time of the giving of the Torah. After escaping their slavery in Egypt and wandering in the desert, the former slaves stood at the base of Mount Sinai and accepted the Torah. In this pivotal event, the Jewish people entered into a Covenant with God.

Chag HaBikurim, the holiday of the first harvest, recalls the pilgrimage practice of ancient Israel, when Israelite males were commanded to appear before God in Jerusalem, bringing offerings of the first fruits of their harvest.

Chag Shavuot translates as the Festival of Weeks and reflects the fact that this holiday occurs seven complete weeks (Shavuot) after Passover. We mark the days between Passover and Shavuot by the Counting of the Omer (S’firot HaOmer).

The tradition of Counting the Omer began as an agricultural ritual, as the period of the Omer coincides with the spring harvest in the land of Israel. Later, the counting became the way to symbolically mark the time of the Israelites’ journey from Slavery to Revelation, from Egypt to the Promised Land. The end of the seven weeks is celebrated at Shavuot, which marked the end of the harvest season.

We find the instructions for the counting in the Torah in Leviticus 23:10. In the days of the Holy Temple, the Jewish people were commanded on the second day of Passover to bring an offering of barley (an omer), the first fruit to ripen, to show gratitude to God.

Starting on the second day of Passover, the Torah (Leviticus 23:15) says it is a mitzvah every day to “count the Omer” – the 50 days leading up to Shavuot. After the seven weeks are complete, on the 50th day, they then must bring an offering of new grain.

Counting the Omer has become significant to my observance of this season. The mystics taught the Hebrew

word for “count,” sipur, can also mean to refine. Along with the practice of counting each day, these days are a time for me to reflect and set intentions for my spiritual growth.

During each of the seven weeks of the Omer, I focus on one trait or quality. And on each of the 49 days, two qualities intersect with each other so that each day is unique. I use several books and resources as well as receive daily emails and text prompts which provide me with thoughts for contemplation. For example, during week two, day three, Gevurah (Strength, Judgment) intersects with Tiferet. (Radiance, Truth). How can I bring this into my own life? How can I be less judgmental? And if so, what truths can I learn about myself?

But why do we count up to Shavuot during the Omer instead of counting down?

A countdown is when all you have standing between you and your goal is a certain amount of time, and when that time passes, the goal is automatically achieved (i.e., only 5 more days till summer vacation). You are counting down the days to show how much time is left.

During the Omer we are not counting down the days that pass, rather, we are climbing one step higher each day, readying ourselves to receive the Torah and once again affirm our covenant with God.

Rabbi Yael Levy teaches “…standing each night to count the day that is coming helps me to be awake to the passage of time…all life is in constant motion. Counting the day that I am

entering requires that I let go of what has been…”

Counting reminds us that everything passes and strengthens our ability to be present in the moment, to give thanks and to let go. And, by letting go, we are inspired to think about something new to explore and experience, making each day and each moment count.

Day one of the Omer begins at sundown on April 23 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, June 11, the eve of Shavuot. May you find meaning and inspiration during this season of counting.

Susan Goldberg Schwartz is a Jewish Educator at LiNK Jewish Buffalo.

In honor of your Installation as Temple Beth Tzedek’s Rabbi,

My heart is with Israel’s leaders, With the dedicated of the people—Bless G-d! –Shirat Devorah, Judges 5:9

Star Jewish Athletes

There are many reasons for us to be proud of our children in the Buffalo Jewish community. First and foremost, they’re ours, and we’re proud of them no matter what. They also study hard, they volunteer their time, and they are active in various Jewish and secular organizations. But one area you might not know is that many of our students are also accomplished athletes! Below are some examples. Thank you to Jonathan D. Epstein and Sonia Gellman Young for putting this together.

David Brown is in 8th grade at Ohr Temimim School and has a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do. He competes in statewide tournaments for Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do.

Ozzy Enis is a junior at Williamsville East High School and runs on the varsity cross-country team.

Talula Enis also attends Williamsville East as a sophomore, and swims on the junior varsity team.

Gabriel Epstein is a freshman at Park School of Buffalo, in Kadimah Scholars. He has played basketball since 5th grade, soccer since 7th grade, and ran crosscountry at Park. This year, he played on Park’s varsity boys soccer team, which won its division championship.

Sara Gabelnick, a senior at Amherst Central High School, has participated on the cross-country and track teams for the last four years, and was varsity co-captain for cross-country this year.

Ryan Hall, a senior at Williamsville East, plays soccer and baseball, and is captain of the soccer team. He was third-team all-ECIC.

Asher Marks, a junior at Williamsville South High School, is on the school’s varsity bowling team and the track team, where he is currently training for the shotput and discus events.

Benjamin Marks , a sophomore at Williamsville South, is on the varsity bowling team.

Ethan Olsen, 11, is on the “Flite” freestyle ski team at HoliMont, and competed in the Young Guns competition in Killington, Vt.

Owen Olsen, 16, is a three-sport varsity athlete at Amherst Central High School, who competed in the track nationals in North Carolina with a 4:36 mile. He has also competed in state competition for cross-country, broke records in middle school, and spent last summer in Israel swimming for the Maccabee Games

Penelope Olsen , 8, has been an equestrian English rider for four years with Skibbereen Farm, where she has competed in horse shows, and is also on the HoliMont Flite team and a competitive swimmer with the Amherst Tiger Sharks.

Gavin Steinacher is on the varsity baseball and soccer teams for Williamsville East and is on a showcase baseball team this summer. He was also selected to represent Williamsville East at the first annual Erie County Interscholastic Conference student athlete leadership summit.

Jacob Vasquez , 13, attends Heim Middle School, but has played high school soccer since 7th grade, and is currently on the junior varsity team for Williamsville North High School.

Addison Weiszhaar, 10, plays softball with the Hertel North Park Youth Baseball League, and is a 5th grader at North Park Community School #50.

Cameron Weiszhaar, 7, plays hockey with the Buffalo Shamrocks and baseball with the Hertel North Park Youth Baseball League. He is in second grade at North Park Community School #50.

Lila Yonaty, a junior at Williamsville East, has played soccer for the high school’s varsity team since she was a freshman. She also plays for the Clarence Soccer Club, competing each year for the State

Cup, and has joined her team in traveling to Costa Rica to play against semi-professional teams. She is also captain of the Williamsville East varsity girl’s flag-football team.

Talia Yonaty, an 8th grader at Transit Middle School, plays junior varsity soccer, basketball and softball for Williamsville East. Last year, she was captain of the Williamsville East modified soccer team, modified basketball team and junior varsity softball team – the only 7th grader at that level. She also plays for the Clarence Soccer Club and Amherst Lightning Softball.

Avremy Young, a 7th grader at Ohr Temimim, has raced for the Buffalo Ski Club for three years in the slalom, giant slalom and supergiant slalom disciplines of alpine skiing. Most recently, he qualified to compete in March at the U14 state championship for the New York State Ski Racing Association. He also competes with Checkers Running Club.

Mendel Young, a 3rd grader at Ohr Temimim, has raced for the Buffalo Ski Club for three

years in giant slalom, Kombi and dual racing. He qualified and competed in the NYSSRA Kandahar races for U12. He also competes with Checkers Running Club.

Rosie Young, a 2nd grader at Ohr Temimim, has raced for two years for Buffalo Ski Club in giant slalom, Kombi and dual racing, and is the women’s U8 ski-racing champion for Western New York. She also competes with Checkers Running Club and Storm Swim JCC.

Always Carrying a Little Piece of Buffalo

BY ZOE FELBER BLUFFESTONE

When I walked into my empty apartment for the first time in Williamsville, I found a penny on the floorofmynewbedroom.Itwasfacing heads up–that was good luck, right? I tucked the penny on the edge of the kitchen counter so that it was out of the way while my parents helped me move in.

Just a couple months prior, I had graduated from college. Graduating in December of 2021 meant that half of my college experience had been exciting and predictable, while the other half had been filled with the unease of COVID. It made my head spin, whiplashing between these two emotions,and my first few months in Buffalo were both joy- and anxiety-filled.

I moved to Buffalo because of the 2-Year Springboard Fellowship at Hillel of Buffalo. On the walls at Hillel, we have a poster quoting Simcha Bunim of Peshicha, “Keep two pieces of paper in your pocket at all times. On one: ‘I am a speck of dust,’ and on the other: ‘The world was created for me.” That’s kind of how these emotions felt; one day I felt small and anxious,and another I felt like I couldtakeontheworldandwasfullofjoy.

My co-workers at Hillel were key in me adjusting to Buffalo, and I quickly jumped into my new role, engaging with students. There were days when I would forget about my own worries, as they told me about their career goals, hometowns, and college majors. The most common topics in Hillel these days are linguistics fun-facts, Dungeons and Dragons chit chat, discussions around sexuality, philosophical Shabbat conversations,

Like each side of the penny, I know that some days I’ll feel like a speck of dust, alone on the bottom of an empty apartment floor. Other days, I’ll feel the embrace of my community, knowing they’re cheering for me to take on the world.

stress around the latest engineering assignment, intense dialogue about Israel, and when the next Hillel cooking class will take place.

When I was off the clock, I quickly made friends and became involved with the Federation’s Jewish Young Adult group. We went bowling, hosted girl’s nights, and watched the Bills. We explored the Village of Williamsville, wandering into

Sweet Jenny’s–a petite ice cream shop and comic bookstore, and peeking into Rove–a picturesque boutique with silver jewelry, fuzzy sweaters, and Taylor Swift stickers. And my favorite route: wandering down the sidewalks to Glen Park, where a strong waterfall surged, ducks swam in a nearby pond, and parents played with their toddlers. On introspective days, I walked to the end of Island Park.

I would sit down during sunset, listen to the twinkle of the water, and write a life update for friends and family.

As the days passed and I adjusted to my new life, it was mostly good. One day, however, when the loneliness had spiked, I decided to clean my kitchen. I lifted my big, blue drying mat so I could wipe down the countertops. And when I moved it, I realized the penny from move-in day was hidden under the drying mat, heads-side up. I felt a chill down my spine. Whether the penny had been hidden there purposefully or not, it felt like someone in the universe was saying that I wasn’t alone here, and I heard the whisper of “Good luck, Zoe.” From afar, I felt the warmth of a hug. No matter how hard it was to adjust to a new place, I had a community both in Cleveland and here in Buffalo. I picked up the penny and placed it in the corner of the picture frame hanging in my kitchen.

My confidence in Buffalo began to grow. I connected more than ever with the students at Hillel, listening as they confided with me in my office about

school or family stress. In October 2022, my mom, twin sister, and future mother-in-law visited me for a girl’s weekend. During the first year of living in Buffalo, I was planning my wedding from a distance, and we decided to make appointments with the local bridal shops in the area. After describing my dream dress to the owner at Bridals by D, she pulled several dresses for me to try on. The very first one was floral and lacy on top, cinching at the waist, and flaring out with rose-gold sparkles. It was a dream, and I said yes to the dress! When I walked down the aisle during my wedding, I had a piece of Buffalo with me all day.

Almost a year later, on October 7th, 2023, my husband and I landed in Athens, Greece. When we heard about what was happening in Israel, I ached to be back in Buffalo with the students and my co-workers. I thought about the Israeli students who might have to re-enlist and who are 3rd generation Holocaust survivors; I thought about the students who had just visited Israel on Birthright and the students who had strong emotional ties to Israel. A couple days later, Hillel of Buffalo held a vigil. I mourned with the students from Greece, and that day, I felt like a speck of dust.

Weeks and months passed, and we made a conscious effort to double wellness events at Hillel, supporting students in as many ways as we could. I learned so much from student conversations, speakers talking about the war, and wellness professionals. We balanced the ache of mourning with celebrations of Jewish pride, too–painting nights, challah bakes, and lots of bagels.

Now, as my fellowship comes to an end and I pack up my apartment, I look at the penny on my wall. Packing up and moving back to Cleveland was a hard decision. I’m going to miss the buzz of the village and the sparkling fairy lights near the library. I’m going to miss the thrift store around the corner and the sunsoaked window seat at Overwinter coffee. I’m going to miss the farmer’s market and the live music on Main Street. And most of all, I’m going to miss the community–coworkers who guided me in my first-full time position, students who never failed to make me laugh, gym buddies who chatted with me on the treadmills at the JCC, and friends who embraced me with open arms.

When I move back to Cleveland, I’ll tuck that penny into the corner of a new picture frame. Perhaps it’ll be a picture of the strong, steady Glen Park waterfall. Like each side of the penny, I know that some days I’ll feel like a speck of dust, alone on the bottom of an empty apartment floor. Other days, I’ll feel the embrace of my community, knowing they’re cheering for me to take on the world. And most importantly, I know that a little piece of Buffalo will always be with me, sending hugs from afar, and whispering, “Good luck.”

Blum Project Welcomes Award-winning Author

On Sunday, April 7, The Blum Jewish Education Project welcomed awardwinning children’s book author, Cynthia Levinson, to a morning of activities throughout the Cofeld Judaic Museum at Temple Beth Zion. Over 100 participants engaged with Levinson, author of The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice Through Art. Levinson’s book highlights activist artist Ben Shahn who produced the two stained glass windows, ten commandment tablets and the menorah at Temple Beth Zion. Co-sponsors of the event included Temple Beth Zion, Kadimah Scholars at Park, the Community Religious School, Jewish Community Center and LiNK Jewish Buffalo.

The Blum Jewish Education Project brings Western New Yorkers to the Cofeld Judaic Museum and to Temple Beth Zion to learn about local history, architecture, and culture, and to gain a deeper appreciation for Jewish heritage. The Cofeld Judaic Museum, which is housed at Temple Beth Zion, is the only

A traditional ladies’ clothing boutique offering attentive personal service, in-house alterations, personal shopping, free gift wrap, and plenty of parking! 5457

Jewish museum in Western New York. It was reimagined and opened in April of 2023.

In a time of increasing antisemitism, the Blum Jewish Education Project was created to be preventative to this growing issue. The project opened its doors in early 2024 and provides a series of workshops for students and adults that includes in-depth sessions about Jewish symbolism and the immigrant experience. Using the collection of the Cofeld Museum and the art and architecture of Temple Beth Zion, participants engage with a wide variety of symbols both universal and Jewish in origin through hands-on gallery activities led by trained educators.

For more information visit blumproject.org or contact Jill Gutmann, at Jill@blumproject.org or (937) 422-8401.

In today’s world, we live in a time where hatred is part of our culture. Antisemitism is addressed through the eyes of people on a daily basis. Tuning out this horrific act is not an easy task. There has never been a moment where our youth is being consumed through social media and other outlets of truth and propaganda.

I would like share with you a few findings found while finding peace with myself after many years of unhappiness and how I am now helping others by making their day. It is my intention to enlighten, inspire, and maybe, to change the thinking about hate and change it into peace and acceptance. I am confident that what I have to say will make a difference in the life of others. There are no guarantees and results will vary.

Two of the core values that are part of my persona, are kindness and gratitude. These two elements are the fruit in the existence of one’s karma, aura, and soul. Part of the equation lies in one’s desire to become a more civilized human being. It is important to note, that some people might not feel that way. We cannot change or mold the behavior, demeanor, and/or attitude of other adults. The only person you can change is yourself. Upon completing that task, it is not necessary to prove to others your improvements; for they will notice them and respond accordingly. Individuals who are not interested in acknowledging the changes will be at a disadvantage, and will lose out in celebrating the accomplishment because it will be their problem in dealing with the circumstances. Nevertheless, we can try to guide our youth and help them make wise choices in life. In any event, the idea is not to mold someone into a person who is simply not interested in being part of the program or protocol.

My mother, may she rest in peace, always used to say to me, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Growing up, I took those words to heart….simple words with a powerful overtone. As the years progressed, it became my calling. The fluidity and transparency of this phrase, carries its weight in gold of gigantic proportions. It started taking shape in the 1980’s through trauma in my family and my thirst for making a daily practice and routine in my life. Today, nearly over a half a century later,

my mission is beginning to become the forefront of my destiny. Each day, I make the day and difference of people in my life and complete strangers, just by being kind and showing gratitude towards myself and out in public.

Along the way, I have acquired and use various strategies/techniques in making my life a pleasure and fulfilled. As a student of the human condition and psyche, I treat people with respect, no matter how they treat me. Appreciating and seeing things from the perspective other people during interactions, has made all the difference. Being calm when talking, listening and communicating to what each party has to say, can either make or break your day (either your blood pressure is going to rise or not, your body might get tense, etc.)

Mentally, emotionally, physically, psychologically, physiologically, and spiritually, all play a pivotal role in the outcome of your destiny. If one takes care of their body, their body will be playing beautiful music for years to come. On the other hand, problems arise if the orchestra is out of tune. Upon making that discovery, one generally makes the appropriate changes to play beautiful music again.

Treating other people the way that you want to be treated and appreciating their frame of mind and/or how they function, is one of the determining factors of how you will respond accordingly. It has been my experience through the years, that people like to feel that they matter and are important. The next time you greet someone, you might want to try saying, “Hi, how is your day going?”. This will calm the person you are trying to communicate with, because you speaking to them on a humanistic level showing empathy and that you care about their overall well-being. If their response is, “I am not having a great day”, you might want to say to them, “I know today is not your best day, however, I have confidence in you that will make it to the end of the day, and tomorrow will be a better day.”

I have other suggestions for you to think about and use if you are interested. At this point, I do not want to overwhelm you with too much information in the suggestion department.

Glenn Goldman Founder & President First Person Advocacy, Inc.

Jewish Community Organizations in Western New York

Buffalo Jewish Federation

338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B

Williamsville, NY 14221

716-463-5050

buffalojewishfederation.org

Rob Goldberg - CEO

Miriam Abramovich - COO

Margie Bryen - President

Buffalo Vaad of Kashrus

49 Barberry Lane

Williamsville, NY 14221

716-534-0230

bvkkosher.com

buffalo@yahoo.com, bvkkosher@gmail.com

Michael Paskowitz - 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

chabadbuffalo.com

Rabbi Moshe Gurary

Chai Early Childhood Center

757 Hopkins Road Williamsville, NY 14221

716-580-4600

chainursery.com

Chani Labkovski - Director

Community Religious School (CRS)

4660 Sheridan Drive

Williamsville, NY 14221

716-574-6016

BuffaloCRS@gmail.com

Einav Symons - Director

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

Daniel Kester - 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 716-204-0542

wnyhbla.org

Judith Katzenelson Brownstein - President

Hillel of Buffalo

Campus Center of Jewish Life

520 Lee Entrance/UB Commons

Suite #101B

W. Amherst, NY 14228 716-616-0083

hillelofbuffalo.org

Jeff Clark - Executive Director

Dr. Iris Danziger - President

Holocaust Education Resource Organization

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

hrcbuffalo.org

Lauren Bloomberg - Director

Armand Morrison - Co-Chair

Wendy Weisbrot - Co-Chair

Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo, Inc.

Benderson Family Building

2640 North Forest Road

Getzville, NY 14068 716-688-4033

jccbuffalo.org

Patty Simonson - CEO Dr. Irwin Gelman - President

Holland Family Building 787 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209 716-886-3145

Jewish Community Relations Council 338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B Williamsville, NY 14221

buffalojewishfederation.org

Adam Fogel - Co-Chair

Harvey Sanders - Co-Chair

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

Kathleen Haggerty - Property Manager

Jewish Federation Cemetery Corporation, Inc.

338 Harris Hill Road – Suite 108B

Williamsville, NY 14221

buffalojewishfederation.org

716-463-5050

Deborah Pivarsi - Director

Jonathan Schechter - President

Kadimah kadimah.org

Reneé Lehner - Administrator

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

Williamsville, NY 14221

Mike Steklof, Ed.D. - Senior Director

Marni Marciano - 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

Weinberg Campus

2700 North Forest Road

Getzville, NY 14068 716-639-3311 weinbergcampus.org

Robert Mayer - President & CEO

Kenneth Rogers - Chairman of the Board

Western New York Synagogues and Temples

Chabad House of Buffalo (unaffiliated)

2450 North Forest Road, Getzville, NY 14068 716-688-1642

chabadbuffalo.com

Rabbi Moshe Gurary - Director

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

Todd Sugarman - 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 Ori Bergman

Cheryl Stein - President

Knesset Center (Orthodox)

500 Starin Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14214 716-832-5063

chabadbuffalo.com

Rabbi Shmaryahu Charitonow

Saranac Synagogue (Orthodox)

85 Saranac Avenue

Buffalo New York 14216 716-876-1284

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 Intern Zahava Fried

Linda Boxer - President

Kim Jones - Administrator

Temple Beth Zion (Reform)

Sanctuary 805 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14209

Offices

700 Sweet Home Road

Amherst, NY 14226 716-836-6565

tbz.org

Rabbi Brent Gutmann

Mark Hayman - Executive Director

Ken Polk - President

Temple Beth El (Reform)

720 Ashland Avenue

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

templebethelniagara@gmail.com

niagarafallstemple.com

Rabbi Ellen Franke

Cantorial Soloist Barry Rose

Adam DePriest - President

Temple Hesed Abraham of Greater Jamestown (Reform)

Meeting biweekly at Jamestown, NY

Lutheran Church

Rabbi Allen Podet

Joe Gerstel - President (716-665-2118) valprojdg@netsync.net

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

1. Let’s Count to 40!

There are forty days between Passover and Shavuot, and it is tradition to count the Omer (these 40 days) between these two holidays. Create an Omer Calendar for your

family with nothing but a piece of posterboard and markers! Draw an outline of a calendar, and mark off each day between Passover and Shavuot with a sticker or even a little treat! As the days go by, you can practice counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s with your little one until you reach 40!

2. Flowers for Shavuot

Shavuot is one of the agricultural festivals and is even known as the “Day of Judgement” for plant life. It is customary to celebrate

this beautiful springtime holiday by decorating it with flowers! Take your little one on a springtime nature walk and pick the beautiful flowers that you see! When you get home, arrange these flowers in a vase and display them for all to see!

3. Yogurt Parfait

Locally Owned Since 1960. 12 month interest free financing available.

Jewish holidays are sweet – but Shavuot especially! It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot to celebrate the grain harvest as well as the sweetness of Judaism and Torah. Pop into the kitchen and create this healthy “cheesecake” yogurt parfait. Grab some vanilla yogurt, fresh fruit, and graham cracker crumbs. Have your child smash the graham cracker crumbs, and then layer the yogurt, berries, and graham cracker crumbs into a clear cup. Voila! Snack time is set!

5. Late Night Story Time:

4. Ice Cream Party

Let’s continue the sugar rushwith friends! Apply for a PJ Library Get Together Grant and host a Shavuot Ice Cream Sundae party! Scan here for more information.

A beloved tradition on Shavuot is to stay up late (some even stay up ALL night!) learning Torah. Recreate this late-night learning with your little one by grabbing your favorite PJ Library book and a flashlight. Cuddle under the covers at bedtime and read your favorite book with just the flashlight. Have sweet Shavuot dreams!

2 lb. cream cheese room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

6 large eggs

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup pistachio paste (I found it on Amazon)

Green food coloring (optional)

1 9-inch springform pan and a baking sheet to bake it on 1 15 x 15 or larger piece of Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Place a rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 400°.

2. Wet the piece of parchment paper and crinkle it up very well. Squeeze out as much water as possible.

3. Line the 9-inch springform pan with the wet sheet of parchment paper. Make sure the parchment comes above the top of the pan on all sides. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet.

4. Beat cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Beat until the mixture is smooth with no lumps remaining and sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes.

5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating each egg 10 seconds before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add cream, salt, and vanilla and beat until combined, about 30 seconds.

6. Stir in the lemon juice and the pistachio paste. If a deeper green color is desired, add a couple drops of green food coloring. (I added a few)

7. Sift flour evenly over the cream cheese mixture using a fine mesh strainer.

8. Beat on low speed until incorporated, about 15 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue to beat until the batter is very smooth and silky, about 10 seconds more.

9. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan to release any large air bubbles.

10. Carefully place the pan and the baking sheet into the oven.

11. Bake cheesecake until deeply golden brown to almost burnt on top but still very jiggly in the center, 55-65 minutes. Start checking it at 55 minutes. It will get to charred really quickly. But you do want the cheesecake to be very dark on top!

12. Take out of the oven and let cool completely. (It will fall as it cools, no worries)

13. When completely cool, remove the cheesecake from the pan.

14. Unmold carefully, peeling away the parchment from the sides of the cheesecake.

15. Slice into wedges and serve at room temperature.

This cheesecake can be made a day or two ahead. Cool the cheesecake completely, cover it, and chill it in the fridge. At that point, it can be served cold or left out a bit to come to room temperature. It is delicious either way.

Remembering the Righteous Among the Nations

Tibor Baranski, Clara Ambrus, and Sister Margit Slachta – each honored by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations - will be honored in the new outdoor mural this month at Roswell Park. All three of these heroes, settled in WNY after risking their lives to save Hungarian Jews from Nazi murderers during the Holocaust.

Tibor Baranski is credited with saving more than 3,000 Jewish lives as a young seminary student with the help of Monsignor Angelo Rotta, Hungary’s Papal Nuncio. In 1944 Tibor was a young theology student studying for the priesthood. The 22-year-old Budapest cleric saw it as his religious duty to aid Jews being persecuted and killed by the Nazis in his homeland. Driving to roundups in the Papal Nuncio’s Rolls Royce, the young rebel pretended to be a direct representative of the Pope, bluffing his way past guards, and flashing

official-looking papers, and pulling Jews from Nazi execution lines and trains heading for death camps. He also helped set up safe houses and printed fake documents for Jews that enabled them to flee the country. Tibor continued his rescue work to the end of the war, even delivering fake documents to Jews on death marches. He dedicated and risked his life, after which he barely survived a death march after being captured by Soviets in 1945. He then fled Hungary

for Italy during the 1956 revolution, where he eventually left the priesthood and married his wife, Katalin. Together they moved to the US, settling in Buffalo where Katalin was a researcher and doctor at Roswell Park. On January 11, 1979, The State of Israel through Yad Vashem recognized Tibor Baranski as Righteous Among the Nation for risking his life to save thousands of Jews. Tibor lived in Buffalo until his death in 2019.

During her first year of medical school bribed guards at both camps and ghettos in Nazi occupied Hungary to release Jewish prisoners who were hidden and cared for by her family until the end of WWII. She received the Courage of Care Award from the Anti-Defamation League in 2008. She was declared a Foreign Member of the National Academy of Science in Hungary and was named by the Pope as a Lady Commander of the Order of the Holy

Tibor Baranski

Clara Ambrus

Sister Margit Slachta

Sepulcher of Jerusalem. For her bravery during the Holocaust, Clara was named Righteous Among the Nations by The State of Israel on January 29, 2006.

On October 15, 1944, the Arrow Cross Fascist movement seized power and instituted a reign of terror in Budapest. Hundreds of Jews were shot in the streets and on the banks of the Danube; others were drafted for brutal forced labor. It was during this period that Clara and Alexander Szirmai, two young Chirstian medical students at the Budapest university, joined forces to save Jews. Eva Klein (Fisher) and Clara had been friends since they were teenagers. When her friend turned to her, Clara did not hesitate and hid her in her home. She then gave Eva her identity card so that she would be able to leave Budapest, but Eva did not want to leave her family behind. Eventually Clara hid Eva’s entire family in the attic and cellar of a factory building with the aid of Alexander Szirmai. Other Jews found refuge in the same place and the two rescuers helped all of them with hideouts and false papers. That year, Clara married Julian, a fellow medical student. In the mid 1950’s the couple emigrated to the United States and settled in Buffalo. Dr. Clara Ambrus was a professor of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Buffalo and received many professional honors. Both Julian and Clara were celebrated physicians at Roswell Park, Juian as the longtime director of cancer research. Clara and Julian Ambrus were married for 70 years before both passed away in Buffalo; Clara died in a house fire in 2011 (age 86) and Julian died in 2020 (age 95).

Sister Margit Slachta, a champion of human rights, formed the Union of Catholic Women and the Sisters of Social Services which was well-known all over

Hungary for nursing, midwifery, and orphanage services. When the first antiJewish laws were passed in Hungary in 1938, Sister Slachta published articles opposing anti-Jewish measures in her newspaper, The Voice of Spirit. She worked tirelessly to spare Jews from deportation, sent food and supplies for the Jewish ghettos and sheltered people in convents. Through her efforts with the Church, it is estimated that she helped to rescue more than 2,000 Hungarian Jews.

Margit Slachta was born in Kassa, Hungary in 1884. As a young woman she earned a secondary education degree in German and French languages from a Catholic training school in Budapest. There she met a Hungarian activist, who instilled in her a concern for the condition of working women and children. Margit then formed the Union of Catholic Women that promoted the female franchise. In 1920, Slachta was the first woman to be elected to the Hungarian Parliament where most of her speeches focused on the condition of women and children. Widely known throughout Hungary for her political successes, her broadly based sympathies placed her on the left of the political spectrum, particularly during the war. Self-confident and strong, she relied not only on her community, but also on Hungarian women in high places to accomplish her objectives. Margit’s political activism, however, was inspired by a desire for spiritual growth and to serve the greater glory of God, rather than political power. She joined the Society of the Social Mission and under her leadership became the Sisters of Social Service in Budapest.

In 1944, the Nazis invaded and occupied Hungary, deporting and murdering more than half of the Hungarian Jews. At that time, Sister Margit was a young Hungarian nun and political activist. Leading the

Sisters of the Social Service, she rejected anti-Jewish edicts and hid Jewish women and children in her convent. She dressed the women in standard gray habits, equipped them with fake documents, and put them to work at various jobs so as not to arouse suspicion. After the war, Sister Margit emigrated to the US and called WNY home until she died in 1974. One individual whom Sister Margit saved, Dr. Gabor Markus, also ended up in Buffalo and was a doctor and researcher at Roswell

Park. On February 18, 1969, The State of Israel through Y ad Vashem awarded Sister Margit Slachta as Righteous Among the Nations.

Each of these righteous rescuers and their families will forever be connected with Western New York and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. A permanent mural now adorns the hospital exterior. Their selfless acts of courage are a true model of heroism for generations to come.

In Remembrance

The following individuals in our community passed away during the period from March 19, 2024 -April 15, 2024. May their memories forever be a blessing, and may their loved ones be comforted among the mourners of Zion.

Gerald Cantor

Adrian L. Feldman

Selma Freedman

Mativy Hrinman

Ruth Lansing

Marhsall S. Lippman

Russell “Rusty” Lipsitz

Naomi Mintzer

Michael A. Rosen

Jarilyn Searns

Alan David Steinberg

Norma Unher

Erwin Weinstein

Susan Gail Wood

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

FIXED ANNUITIES

An Heiress to Sacred Leadership

BY RABBI SARA RICH

Life takes us in unexpected directions. Being installed as the first female rabbi in the history of Temple Beth Tzedek and its predecessor synagogues is an unexpected milestone in my life on nearly every level. The rabbi part is the least surprising, in that I decided to become a rabbi when I was 15 years old, and I followed that path from college to rabbinical school and then ordination in 2011. That aside, I began my career with Hillel after ordination (first at Princeton University, and then here at UB) and I did not have a plan as to when, or even if, I would serve in a congregation. I was ordained from a Reform rabbinical school, and over time found a more comfortable home in the Conservative movement. And, while Buffalo is an incredible place to live, the community does a great job of keeping that secret from the outside world, so I certainly didn’t know our family would end up here! I stand in awe of the positive surprises that life hands to us.

being granted that privilege. Women expressed regret that they never learned to read Torah, or simply shook their heads and said that they “never thought this day would come.” The moment that we have come to today in our community is one that could never have happened in past years, and it is one of many proof points that the synagogue’s values have evolved over time to balance the values of tradition and equality.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “The authentic individual is neither an end nor a beginning but a link between ages, both memory and expectation. Every moment is a new beginning within a continuum of history. It is fallacious to segregate a moment and not to sense its involvement in both past and future. Humbly the past defers to the future, but it refuses to be discarded. Only he who is an heir is qualified to be a pioneer.”

I do not think of my status as the first female rabbi on this pulpit as an achievement, so much as a milestone. I worked hard to become a rabbi: countless hours of studying, working in synagogues, religious schools, camp and in hospital rooms. But being born female was not an accomplishment on my part – that was very much handed to me! In the past, being ordained as a female rabbi was not an option, and when it was, the earliest female rabbis faced discrimination when looking for jobs and in their workplace settings. Thankfully, through their perseverance, with the support of male allies who were committed to an egalitarian rabbinate, and embracing an external culture of equity that has served women in all professions (with much work still to be done), I have never experienced my gender as a hurdle to overcome.

But the same cannot be said for the girls and women of Temple Beth Tzedek’s history. After my hiring was announced last year, women came out of the woodwork to share their stories with me. I heard from one woman who was the first to hold the Torah on the bema (pulpit), another who could not celebrate her bat mitzvah during Shabbat services, despite her brother

To the degree that I am I pioneer in this role, I am humbled to be an heiress to the past. This past includes Ray Frank, called “the girl rabbi of the Golden West” who served as a Jewish community leader, albeit without ordination, in 1890, and it includes Helen Levinthal, who completed the full course of study at the Hebrew Union College in 1939, but was not granted ordination because of her gender. This past that I inherit celebrates the ordination of the first female rabbi, Regina Jonas, in 1935 in Germany, the ordination in 1972 of the first American female rabbi, Sally Priesand, and the first female

I invite us all to consider: What meaningful aspects of our history do you inherit? What elements of the past, both personal and societal, have impacted who you are and what milestones have you been able to reach? And let us all consider together: What is the next frontier that we can traverse together? May we do so with vision, humility, and courage.

Rabbi Sara Rich of Temple Beth Tzedek and her family have made Jewish Buffalo their home since 2017. She will be formally installed on Saturday, May 11. See page 8 for details.

Conservative rabbi, Amy Eilberg, ordained in 1985. Throughout Jewish Buffalo today, I am honored to collaborate with a cadre of female leaders, as they boldly move our community forward.