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 Advisor: Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein

Manager: Rachel Beerman

Intern: Sam Lukin Johnson

Our work falls into three broad areas:

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

National

Reflections on March for Israel Washington DC November 14, 2023

By: Samuel Lukin Johnson, Intern JCRC

As a high school student, it seems impossible to get directly involved with current events happening in the nation. However, the March for Israel gave me an opportunity to show support in a way I had not thought possible. The November 14th march marked the largest Jewish gathering in US history, and it was truly awe-inspiring. Witnessing people peacefully converging for a shared cause was a unique and impactful experience. I saw signs, shirts, and flags representing Houston, Cincinnati, Portland, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta. Traveling to Washington to march on the national mall, where countless others had stood before, left a lasting impression. The historic event included a record-breaking 290,000 attendees and almost as many joining via livestream. This rally wasn't just about numbers or individual speakers; it was about showing my personal support for Israel, advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas, and addressing the pressing issue of antisemitism. Being part of this diverse and unified front in ongoing efforts for positive change felt deeply personal and meaningful.

By: Mara Koven-Gelman, Senior Director JCRC

I was one of the Buffalo Jewish Federation staff that travelled with 100 people from Greater Buffalo to D.C. in the wee hours of November 14, 2023.

When the March for Israel in D.C. was first announced many people were concerned for physical safety. As a Jew today, after the horrific attacks of October 7 in Israel, rise of antisemitic incidents worldwide, demonstrations calling for erasure of Israel and celebrating the attacks of hate, I understand.

But I felt safe. I felt physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe because I was with almost 300,000 family members. From LA, Philly, North Carolina, NY, Boston, Canada and beyond it was incredible to see this family and friends in action. We became one big caring family and there were so many unifications – Rabbi Brent Gutmann bumped into a HUC Cincinnati rabbinic school colleague, I connected to my son Noah, we bumped into Pinny and Sonia Young’s children and Amélida and Peter Weinmann’s son – all because we held our Buffalo Stands with Israel signs high in the air.

I have experienced this feeling of unity before. I was 25 years old on December 6, 1987 at the Rally for Soviet Jewry on the same mall. At that time, it was the largest Jewish rally in history – 250,000 - until November 14.

In 1987 the speakers included VP George W. Bush, Natan Sharansky, Elie Wiesel z"l and Sen John Lewis z"l. It took place a day before President Reagan was to have an arms negotiation with former Russian President Gorbachev advocating to free Soviet Jews – Refuseniks. 'Let My People Go,' was the chant. And after that meeting it worked. The public cry influenced global action.

We heard again from Natan Sharansky on Tuesday. But the chant was now modified from 'Let My People Go' to 'Bring Them Home.' Similar messages. Once again, I felt the power of Jewish community, that we showed up for each other prayer, song, and love.

When else would you see Orthodox men in shteimels and long black coats, next to Hillel students wearing Israel flags draped on their backs and others from Duke University Hillel written in Hebrew near people holding a LGBTQ+ Jewish star flag?

My last reflection is the power of music. There were prayers for the IDF sung by Israeli star Omer Adam, Hatikvah and One Day by Matisyahu. We all held each other, swayed in unison:

“One day this will all change, treat people the same, stop with the violence, down with the hate,

One day we’ll all be free and proud to be under the same sun, singing songs of freedom.”

One Day!

Local

On October 24, Congregation Shir Shalom hosted a concert raising money for the Emergency Campaign for Israel. In attendance were many WNY clergy members.

Pictured: Rev. Al Warner, Cantor Irwin Gelman, Rev. Deborah Warner, Rev. Corey Gibson, Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein, Mara Koven-Gelman (not clergy), Cantor Arlene Frank and NAACP Buffalo Branch President Rev. Mark Blue.

Educate

Buffalo JCRC Stands with Israel and the Jewish People

The Buffalo JCRC is fully committed to standing with Israel and the Jewish people. Attached is a curated list of resources, with clickable links, designed to help mobilize, educate and advocate during this difficult time. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out.

Buffalo Jewish Federation’s PJ Library Engagement Grant Continues to Build Multifaith Family Partnership

On a rainy, but not too rainy, Sunday afternoon this past fall, families from the Jewish community and Pilgrim St. Luke’s United Church of Christ gathered at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. This was the third gathering of our year-long multifaith family initiative, made possible through grant funding from the PJ Library Engagement Grant and Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Despite the rainy weather, we found many signs of the changing season, deepened our friendships, and welcomed some new friends! We are looking forward to our culminating gathering this winter.

NEW YORK STATE ADVOCACY

Virtual Convening of NYS Jewish Community with New York State Officials

Buffalo JCRC helped Governor Hochul’s Jewish Affairs staff, Jacob Adler and Eva Wyner, convene NYS Jewish Community volunteer leadership on November 16. The purpose was to share a first-person account of Hochul’s trip to Israel shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, to hear new NYS initiatives to combat antisemitism and hate and to hear from Jewish leaders. Over 50 people registered from several communities including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Albany, Westchester, Long Island, Rockland and NYC.

Buffalo Jewish Federation President Marjorie Bryen introduced the speakers and the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Executive Director, Shelley Hubal, closed the meeting.

Highlights included Governor Hochul’s November 9 announcement of three NYS funding streams for vulnerable communities:

• $45 Million for non-public P-12 school health and safety funding. While already in FY 2022-23 this funding is being made available earlier.
• $25 Million for securing communities against Hate Crimes grants available for houses of worship, community centers and other at-risk sites.
• $50 Million for Law Enforcement Agencies Across the state for modernizing technology and equipment to better assist in crime-solving operations.

JCRC Meets with Bonnie Lockwood

JCRC Senior Director Mara Koven-Gelman met with Governor Hochul’s WNY Team at the Perry Street Offices: Bonnie Lockwood, WNY Director, Quinn Bushen, WNY Representative and Sibu Nair, WNY Asian American Deputy Director. Quinn and Sibu attended the Federation's Kickoff event representing the Governor in September.

New York State Launches a New Hotline to Report Hate and Bias

JCRC Attends Partnership for the Public Good Community Agenda Vote

Pictured: Rachel Beerman, Harvey Sanders, Deborah Cohen, Rick Mahler, Rev. Mark Blue, and Mara Koven-Gelman

On Friday, December 1, JCRC members participated in the Partnership for the Public Good's annual Community Agenda Vote. During the event we heard a two-minute pitch from the leaders of each plank. After questions and discussion, each partner organization cast votes for their top 5 priorities. 

Corey Auerbach

Lana Benatovich

Sharla Bleichfeld

Marjorie Bryen

Dr. Ann Marie Carosella

Dr. Molly Carr

Susan Grelick

Harvey Sanders

Shelly Yellen