Linking you to creating a more civil and caring community in WNY

Powered by the Buffalo Jewish Federation

Co-Chairs: Deborah Goldman and Adam Fogel

Senior Director: Mara Koven-Gelman

Rabbinic Consultant: Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein

Manager: Rachel Beerman

JCRC Intern Sam Lukin Johnson

Our work falls into three broad areas:

• Social Justice
• Combatting Hate and Discrimination
• Building Relationships with Ethnic, Faith, and Cultural Communities

JCRC Civic Leaders' Trip to Israel

Civic Leaders at first stop-Mt. of Olives, Jerusalem

The February 2023 Buffalo JCRC Civic Leader Trip to Israel was a dream that began in 2020. Delayed, by COVID, it became a reality when a group of Buffalo civic leaders from diverse backgrounds were invited: education, faith, non-profit, judicial, legislative, and the arts. Through the support of the Nobel Family Fund and the Buffalo Jewish Federation, this Israel trip was an opportunity to deepen partnerships and collaborations with community leaders who share a passion to create a caring and vibrant community. 

Here, in their own voices and photos, are some initial reflections from some participants. Yes, it was intense, beautiful, spiritual, challenging, and inspiring. One unifying comment is the gratitude all felt for the Buffalo Jewish Federation for enabling the experience.  

Deborah Goldman, JCRC co-chair and trip planning committee member 

While virtually no one on the trip knew every participant, the group: immediately pulled together to watch out for one another, listened and heard each other’s narratives, supported each other’s spiritual experiences, experienced Israeli (Jews, Arabs, Christians), and Palestinians and other residents engaging in civil discourse across what seemed to us as irreconcilable differences. This was all while learning about one of the most historic and unique places in the world. And what could be more magical than coffee with friends at the Mahane Yehuda market? (Pictured here with friends Molly Carr and Leah Halton-Pope)

Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall, Superintendent of Schools, Williamsville Central School District 

Kibbutz Kabri, Northern Galilee 

This picture is of Chris Brown-Hall, Darren Brown-Hall, and Sister Margaret Carney in the home of our host family Amir and Moran Yarchi for dinner in Kibbutz Kabri, Israel (Northern Galilee). This was a great homemade dinner where we heard Moran tell of her recent trip to Jerusalem (several hours south) that morning to protest. (Government proposal to influence future of the judiciary.) The comparisons of what she was protesting in relation to what we have seen made it real to us while eating and discussing. But understanding what they are fighting for and making Israel better for their twin (16-year-old) sons, as a parent puts it all into perspective.

“Four Quarters”

by Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein (a leader of the recent JCRC Civic Leader Trip to Israel)

I was thinking of quarters and quadrants

we were standing in the Lutheran Hostel and you were pointing

to the gray dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

To our right the bright Golden Dome

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Armenian

It happened to be before the Super Bowl and I thought of the march down the field

The sections of a room with walls dividing it at its center

what is it about the quadrants we move between

like a circle revolving from one phase to the next

Moving back the alleyway at the center of the Old City

we turn right then left then right again

Disappearing into a more natural metaphor

Staff members of the Buffalo Jewish Federation are immersed this winter and spring in a five month Jewish, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion curriculum created by the Jewish Federations of North America. This opportunity is being led by local and national facilitators. Through this work the cohort is exploring issues of identity, history and how we can ensure that our Jewish community allows every individual to flourish.

This spring, our JCRC is hosting our inaugural JCRC Book Club. For this first event, we selected the acclaimed memoir Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to his White Mother by James McBride. This compelling memoir weaves McBride’s own life with what he uncovers about his mother’s birth in Poland and then childhood in Virginia as the daughter of a rabbi.  

ADVOCATE

Addressing Antisemitism

The Buffalo Jewish Federation just launched a new website addressing antisemitism. This was a collaborative effort between the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Holocaust Resource Center and LiNK. The site includes resources about where to turn if you need help or have questions, resources to learn more about what the Buffalo Jewish Federation is already doing to address antisemitism, and additional resources and steps you can take to address antisemetism. You can find the website by going to the Buffalo Jewish Federation’s website or by going directly to the website

Non Profit Security Grant Update

Jewish Federations of North America continues to work to increase NSGP funding, and this is a top advocacy priority for this year. On March 16th at 12pm ET a panel of experts from Jewish Federations and the Secure Community Network will answer questions for organizations seeking to apply for NSGP funding to best position themselves to have their applications accepted. For those interested in learning more about the grant cycle. Please register below.

Buffalo Open Seder 2023

JCRC is thrilled to once again bring Buffalo Open Seder to our community on Wednesday, April 5th and Thursday, April 6th. We are actively looking for individuals who are interested in opening up their homes to one to four guests for this unique and meaningful opportunity. Please let us know by March 20th if you would like to host. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Beerman at rachel@buffalojewishfederation.org

2023 NAACP Buffalo Branch Swearing In Ceremony

Congratulations to Rev. Mark Blue (as President) (pictured) and all 2023 NAACP Buffalo Branch leadership who were sworn in to office. JCRC co-chair Deborah Goldman (pictured) and JCRC Senior Director Mara Koven-Gelman represented the JCRC in January at the annual NAACP Buffalo branch swearing in ceremony and meeting.

Partnership for the Public Good 2023 Community Agenda Meeting

As a community partner, JCRC was in attendance at the January 12th roll out of the Partnership for the Public Good’s 2023 Community Agenda. In addition to hearing from leaders in the non-profit sector, many elected officials were in attendance to highlight legislation that will help move these community improvements forward this year. Many of the chosen initiatives are in clear alignment with the goals of the JCRC including strengthening supports for refugees and immigrants to Buffalo and working to make greater Buffalo more equitable for all.

MLK Legacy Luncheon

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day members of the Buffalo Jewish Federation leadership and staff members attended the Second Annual MLK Legacy Luncheon sponsored by WNY Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO. It was a powerful event highlighting local leaders in labor and in the community. (Pictured: Rob Goldberg, Miriam Abramovich, Rachel Beerman and Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein).

JFNA 2023's Public Policy Priorities

The Jewish Federations of North America’s public policy priorities advance the ability of Jewish Federations and other Jewish communal organizations to build flourishing Jewish communities, with a special focus on supporting healthy, safe, and caring communities that are just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive; building bridges with other civic groups; and connecting with Israel and world Jewry. With this goal in mind, the Federation system advances policy priority areas based on both challenges Jewish communal life faces and opportunities to further strengthen it. In supporting specific legislative and policy vehicles within each area below and in adding compelling new legislative priorities, we prioritize issues with a nexus to the agencies and communities we represent and strive to be balanced and bipartisan. 

This year's priorities include:

• Jewish Communal Security and Support for Israel 
• Communal Infrastructure 
• Health and Human Services Justice
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI), and Human and Civil Rights

JFNA is continuing to work to support survivors of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. JFNA is working with their core partners, the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) to provide much needed relief and support. They are also continuing to support the Jewish community there.

Corey Auerbach

Lana Benatovich

Sharla Bleichfeld

Marjorie Bryen

Dr. Ann Marie Carosella

Dr. Molly Carr

Susan Grelick

Harvey Sanders

Shelly Yellen