There are so many wonderful cultural learning opportunities within our thriving Greater Buffalo Jewish Community. We've posted links here to the happenings in our community to keep you informed. If you have an announcement that you would like to see included, please email it to us!
The 7 Noahide Laws, Systemic Civility and a Sweet New Year
The New Year Sweetness of Systemic Civility
By Jeff Lapides
Our sages say that, before Rosh Hashana, even before Torah, our greatest leader Moses taught us civility at the well of Mara. In fact, these precepts were given to all of mankind starting with the 1st humans, Adam and Eve. Civility (derech eretz) comes before Torah. These concepts of civility are stated and have been taught as the Seven Noahide Laws.
Have we lost them? Has the noise and news of our polarity and division drowned them out? Sadly, these seven mitzvahs that form the bedrock of a civil society seem to be breaking down. The world sometimes seems to be spinning out of control.
By Jeff Lapides
Our sages say that, before Rosh Hashana, even before Torah, our greatest leader Moses taught us civility at the well of Mara. In fact, these precepts were given to all of mankind starting with the 1st humans, Adam and Eve. Civility (derech eretz) comes before Torah. These concepts of civility are stated and have been taught as the Seven Noahide Laws.
Have we lost them? Has the noise and news of our polarity and division drowned them out? Sadly, these seven mitzvahs that form the bedrock of a civil society seem to be breaking down. The world sometimes seems to be spinning out of control.
JFS Fund to Help Support Afghan Refugees
https://jfsbuffalo.networkforgood.com
Buffalo Jewish Federation Giving Collective-Reverse Tashlich
https://jewishphilanthropies.org/the-giving-collective-for-jewish-buffalo/
Reverse Tashlich, an international initiative that raises awareness about the environment while cleaning up our local waterways at the same time.
The first-ever event for Jewish Buffalo will be held on
Sunday, September 12th with the goal of having 100 participants.
Reverse Tashlich is aimed at taking out garbage and debris from Buffalo’s waterways.
The entire experience will be grounded in Jewish learning connecting the preservation of our waterways to our dedication to repairing the world (Tikkun Olam).
Amount Needed: $2,500.00
The first-ever event for Jewish Buffalo will be held on
Sunday, September 12th with the goal of having 100 participants.
Reverse Tashlich is aimed at taking out garbage and debris from Buffalo’s waterways.
The entire experience will be grounded in Jewish learning connecting the preservation of our waterways to our dedication to repairing the world (Tikkun Olam).
Amount Needed: $2,500.00
The Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning Fall Schedule
https://www.tfaforms.com/4920846
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The 2021-2022 Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning Adult Learning Experiences includes classes on Intro to Judaism, The Women's Well Circle, and Men's Discussion Groups.
Please click the flyers below to view full class schedules. Use the button on the right to register. If you have any questions about CJEL, Please contact Susan Goldberg Schwartz at susan@buffalojewishfederation.org |
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Join the Sukkah Hop at the CJL
https://www.jewishbuffalo.com/sukkot
To schedule the sukkah visit call Rabbi Laizer Labkovski at 716 639-7600
TBT Kesher Outstretched Arm Programs on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/TBTkesheroutstretchedarmchannel
TBT Kesher Outstretched Arm programs are now available on YouTube for continued viewing!
Check out your favorite virtual Kesher programs by clicking HERE.
Due to the need for social distance, all Kesher programs are virtual at this time. The most recent program was a virtual visit to Israel. TBT Kesher Outstretched Arm aims to reach beyond our usual boundaries and create a positive experience for the community in the spirit of unity and belonging.
Check out your favorite virtual Kesher programs by clicking HERE.
Due to the need for social distance, all Kesher programs are virtual at this time. The most recent program was a virtual visit to Israel. TBT Kesher Outstretched Arm aims to reach beyond our usual boundaries and create a positive experience for the community in the spirit of unity and belonging.
Beyond the Count: Experiences of Jews of Color
https://www.jta.org/2021/study-on-jews-of-color-fight-for-racial-justice
Important Report! The Jews of Color Initiative releases the full report of Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color – the first-ever study of this scale on Jews of Color in the United States.
Dive into the findings for yourself and get a bird's-eye view of the JoC community, from experiences with systemic racism to the vibrant and healing ways Jews of Color are connecting with one another and cultivating a beautifully multiracial Judaism. Whether you are seeing yourself reflected in the data as a Jew of Color or listening as an ally, Beyond the Count is a chance for our community to learn and move forward together toward a Jewish community that is for all of us.
Dive into the findings for yourself and get a bird's-eye view of the JoC community, from experiences with systemic racism to the vibrant and healing ways Jews of Color are connecting with one another and cultivating a beautifully multiracial Judaism. Whether you are seeing yourself reflected in the data as a Jew of Color or listening as an ally, Beyond the Count is a chance for our community to learn and move forward together toward a Jewish community that is for all of us.
Researchers unveil massive study on Jews of color, boosting fight for racial justice with hard data.
Responses from more than 1,100 people in the study reveal a deep engagement with Jewish identity that has often come with experiences of discrimination in communal settings.
In some cases, Jews of color said they are ignored. In others they are casually interrogated about their race and ethnicity. Respondents said white Jews will sometimes presume a need to educate them about Jewish rituals or assume they are present in synagogues or schools as nannies and security guards rather than community members.
Some 80% of respondents said they have experienced discrimination in Jewish settings.
Titled “Beyond the Count,” the study out of Stanford University corroborates with data and the anecdotes of racism in the Jewish community that have been widespread for years.
Responses from more than 1,100 people in the study reveal a deep engagement with Jewish identity that has often come with experiences of discrimination in communal settings.
In some cases, Jews of color said they are ignored. In others they are casually interrogated about their race and ethnicity. Respondents said white Jews will sometimes presume a need to educate them about Jewish rituals or assume they are present in synagogues or schools as nannies and security guards rather than community members.
Some 80% of respondents said they have experienced discrimination in Jewish settings.
Titled “Beyond the Count,” the study out of Stanford University corroborates with data and the anecdotes of racism in the Jewish community that have been widespread for years.
JCC Book Launch Event: Narrating Diaspora
https://www.jccbuffalo.org/event/elaine-mendelow/
People of the Book Author Series with Michelle Cameron
https://www.jccbuffalo.org/event/michelle-cameron/
Virtual Event! Tuesday, October 12th at 7:00pm
Join historical novelist Michelle Cameron, as she discusses her award-winning novel, Beyond the Ghetto Gates. Set in 1796, it describes a rare happy epoch in Jewish life when Napoleon marched into Italy and demolished the ghetto gates, freeing the Jews who had long been trapped behind them. The novel raises issues that remain pertinent today, including antisemitism, the conflict between assimilation and religious tradition, intermarriage, and the struggle between love and familial duty.
Beyond the Ghetto Gates was a First Place, Best in Category for the Chanticleer Goethe Awards, and won the Silver Medal for Historical Fiction in the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs).
Cameron is the author of works of historical fiction and poetry. She lived in Israel for fifteen years (including three weeks in a bomb shelter during the Yom Kippur War) and served as an officer in the Israeli army teaching air force cadets technical English. Michelle is a director of The Writers Circle, an NJ-based organization that offers creative writing programs to children, teens, and adults.
Join historical novelist Michelle Cameron, as she discusses her award-winning novel, Beyond the Ghetto Gates. Set in 1796, it describes a rare happy epoch in Jewish life when Napoleon marched into Italy and demolished the ghetto gates, freeing the Jews who had long been trapped behind them. The novel raises issues that remain pertinent today, including antisemitism, the conflict between assimilation and religious tradition, intermarriage, and the struggle between love and familial duty.
Beyond the Ghetto Gates was a First Place, Best in Category for the Chanticleer Goethe Awards, and won the Silver Medal for Historical Fiction in the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs).
Cameron is the author of works of historical fiction and poetry. She lived in Israel for fifteen years (including three weeks in a bomb shelter during the Yom Kippur War) and served as an officer in the Israeli army teaching air force cadets technical English. Michelle is a director of The Writers Circle, an NJ-based organization that offers creative writing programs to children, teens, and adults.
Help the JCRC Fight for Racial Justice
Click on the image below to learn more.
Buffalo Jewish Federation Giving Collective-KOLOT Pro
https://jewishphilanthropies.org/the-giving-collective-for-jewish-buffalo/
KOLOT Pro is a retreat is for female identifying professionals who work and serve in a leadership role for an agency, institution, or congregation of Jewish Buffalo.
October 18 - 19, 2021
KOLOT Pro aims to have 35 participants and is designed to be a learning and leadership experience to foster collaboration and partnership among community professionals at a variety of different organizations and levels of leadership.
Amount Needed: $6,000.00
October 18 - 19, 2021
KOLOT Pro aims to have 35 participants and is designed to be a learning and leadership experience to foster collaboration and partnership among community professionals at a variety of different organizations and levels of leadership.
Amount Needed: $6,000.00
Liberation 75 Top Most Popular Sessions
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Liberation 75 Virtual Holocaust Library is a free resource featuring our complete catalogue of recordings from Liberation75 plus new videos added regularly from Holocaust organizations worldwide.
Check out our 10 most viewed programs: 1.These I Remember: Closing Performance Revisit the moving musical presentation that closed out Liberation75 by Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto & Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company. 2.WHY? The Holocaust Explained Explore the origins of the Holocaust with world-renowned historian, Dr. Peter Hayes. 3. Love & Sex Across Holocaust Generations Dr. Eva Fogelman and Esther Perel discuss how past trauma affects intimacy in Holocaust families. 4. A Conversation with Elisha Wiesel & Lisa LaFlamme Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel, speaks with Chief News Anchor Lisa LaFlamme about his father and the legacy he left behind. 5.Spark of Inspiration: The Hard-Fought Hope of Dr. Ruth USC Shoah Foundation's Dr. Stephen Smith interviews the inimitable Dr. Ruth. 
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6.Antisemitism: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Antisemitism did not begin or end with the Holocaust. This short film discusses the impact of antisemitism on three generations of three families in three countries, from the Holocaust to today. 7.Stand Up This two-minute short film presented by the National Holocaust Centre & Museum in the United Kingdom inspires all to stand up against hatred and discrimination. 8.Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue A close and personal interview with international human rights experts, Justice Rosalie Abella and Professor Irwin Cotler. 9.Holocaust Denial, Distortion, Minimization & Glorification Explore these difficult topics with Dr. Michael Berenbaum and Mark Weitzman. 10.Holocaust Survivor: Ben Lesser Ben Lesser shares his testimony with Gail Lesser-Gerber. |
Remembering the Teachings of Elie Wiesel
https://momentmag.com/moment-zoominar-elie-wiesel
The Teachings of Elie Wiesel Remembered with Elisha Wiesel
Elisha Wiesel joined us on the fourth anniversary of his father’s passing to share stories and reflections on the lessons he learned from his dad, Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. Elisha is in conversation with Nadine Epstein, Moment editor-in-chief and editor of Elie Wiesel: An Extraordinary Life & Legacy. Moment was pleased to host this special zoominar to honor the memory of Elie Wiesel who co-founded the magazine in 1975 with writer Leonard Fein.
Elisha Wiesel joined us on the fourth anniversary of his father’s passing to share stories and reflections on the lessons he learned from his dad, Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. Elisha is in conversation with Nadine Epstein, Moment editor-in-chief and editor of Elie Wiesel: An Extraordinary Life & Legacy. Moment was pleased to host this special zoominar to honor the memory of Elie Wiesel who co-founded the magazine in 1975 with writer Leonard Fein.
New Program Helps WNY Jewish Teens Fight Anti-Semitism
https://news.wbfo.org/post/new-program
A new educational initiative of the Buffalo Jewish Federation is facilitating conversations between Jewish teenagers and their non-Jewish high school peers in an effort to promote understanding and fight anti-Semitism.
The program, called Student to Student, was originally developed by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis more than 10 years ago, but its replication in Western New York couldn’t be more timely: Hate crimes motivated by religion rose about 7% in 2019, according to the latest FBI statistics, and 60% of crimes in that category targeted Jews—far more than any other religious group. There’s also a closely documented link between anti-Semitism and a wide range of extremist groups in the U.S.
The program, called Student to Student, was originally developed by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis more than 10 years ago, but its replication in Western New York couldn’t be more timely: Hate crimes motivated by religion rose about 7% in 2019, according to the latest FBI statistics, and 60% of crimes in that category targeted Jews—far more than any other religious group. There’s also a closely documented link between anti-Semitism and a wide range of extremist groups in the U.S.
Join Virtual Tours of Israel with Jewish National Fund
https://www.jnf.org/visit-israel
Visit Israel LIVE from Your Living Room
on a Virtual TourCan’t get to Israel? Let Israel come to you. JNF is bringing hundreds of people to Israel—RIGHT NOW! Pack your bags and take a trip without leaving the comfort of your own home.
See a side of Israel you have never seen with JNF. Join a "busload" of participants and experience biblical and modern Israel, famous tourist attractions, off the beaten path sites, Jewish National Fund projects and places, and hidden gems—all from the comfort of your own home. See sites like the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ayalon Institute, Rosh Ha'Nikra, Akko, JNF's Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, Be'er Sheva, Timna Park, and more without even leaving your house! It's the next best thing.
Cost
Your $50 registration fee per Zoom spot includes a week of touring. Invite your household to come along on the journey.
How It Works
For one week, join us for one hour a day (Monday through Thursday) for live touring of Israel. After a short break, log back in for a one hour social dinner/cocktail hour. Friday will feature a one hour pre-Shabbat experience.
on a Virtual TourCan’t get to Israel? Let Israel come to you. JNF is bringing hundreds of people to Israel—RIGHT NOW! Pack your bags and take a trip without leaving the comfort of your own home.
See a side of Israel you have never seen with JNF. Join a "busload" of participants and experience biblical and modern Israel, famous tourist attractions, off the beaten path sites, Jewish National Fund projects and places, and hidden gems—all from the comfort of your own home. See sites like the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ayalon Institute, Rosh Ha'Nikra, Akko, JNF's Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, Be'er Sheva, Timna Park, and more without even leaving your house! It's the next best thing.
Cost
Your $50 registration fee per Zoom spot includes a week of touring. Invite your household to come along on the journey.
How It Works
For one week, join us for one hour a day (Monday through Thursday) for live touring of Israel. After a short break, log back in for a one hour social dinner/cocktail hour. Friday will feature a one hour pre-Shabbat experience.
The Buffalo Jewish Federation Community Compassion Fund
https://connect.clickandpledge.com
The Buffalo Jewish Federation and The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies have created a Community Compassion Fund to help our community through the COVID-19 crisis.
Every dollar raised will go to support individuals and families.
Distributions will be administered by Jewish Family Services enabling them to support essential services to our most vulnerable populations so their basic needs can be met including mental health and wellness counseling, as well as funds for food, prescriptions, rent subsidies and other essentials.
So far, the Community Compassion Fund has provided financial support to furloughed Jewish communal workers, helped to underwrite the Seder in a Box program through Kosher Meals on Wheels, and assisted families with burial arrangements.
Together, we can do more! Your gift today will help the people of Jewish Buffalo tomorrow.
Every dollar raised will go to support individuals and families.
Distributions will be administered by Jewish Family Services enabling them to support essential services to our most vulnerable populations so their basic needs can be met including mental health and wellness counseling, as well as funds for food, prescriptions, rent subsidies and other essentials.
So far, the Community Compassion Fund has provided financial support to furloughed Jewish communal workers, helped to underwrite the Seder in a Box program through Kosher Meals on Wheels, and assisted families with burial arrangements.
Together, we can do more! Your gift today will help the people of Jewish Buffalo tomorrow.
