AHAVAS SHOLEM CEMETERY

BUFFALO RITUALARIUM

BUREAU OF JEWISH EDUCATION

CHABAD HOUSE

CONGREGATION B'NAI SHALOM

CONGREGATION HAVURAH

HEBREW BENEVOLENT LOAN ASSOCIATION

HILLEL FOUNDATION OF BUFFALO

HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER OF BUFFALO

HOLY ORDER OF THE LIVING

INSTITUTE OF JEWISH THOUGHT AND HERITAGE

INSTITUTE FOR LIBERAL JEWISH STUDIES

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER BUFFALO, INC.

JEWISH DISCOVERY CENTER

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER BUFFALO, INC.

JEWISH FEDERATION CEMETERY CORPORATION

JEWISH FEDERATION HOUSING

JEWISH HERITAGE DAY SCHOOL

JEWISH LIBERAL ARTS CLUB

KADIMAH SCHOOL OF BUFFALO

KEHILLAT OHR TZION

MAIMONIDES MEDICAL SOCIETY

MESIVTA MENACHEM OF AMHERST

POLAND JEWISH CEMETERIES RESTORATION PROJECT

TEMPLE BETH AM

TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK

TEMPLE BETH ZION

TEMPLE SINAI

WEINBERG CAMPUS, INC.

YAD B'YAD

YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREATER BUFFALO

Ahavas Sholem Cemetery - [ Back to Top ]

Larry Itzkowitz, President
Witmer Rd.
Town of Niagara, NY

Ahavas Sholem Cemetery was established in the early 20th century by members of the former Congregation Ahavas Sholem of Niagara Falls. The congregation has been disbanded since the mid-1980s but the well maintained cemetery remains. Plots are available at no charge to descendants former temple members or they may be purchased for use by any Jewish person.

Buffalo Ritualarium - [ Back to Top ]

Teresa Udelson, President
1105 Maple Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221

A modern, handicapped-accessible mikvah.

Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Buffalo, Inc. - [ Back to Top ]

Dr. Howard W. Benatovich, President
Evie A. Weinstein, Executive Director
2640 North Forest Rd.
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 689-8844
Visit the Bureau's Website

Established in 1928, the Bureau works in close cooperation with the area's communal agencies, affiliated religious schools and synagogues to provide high quality Jewish educational experiences for the children and adults in the Western New York community. The Milton Plesur Library, owned and operated by the Bureau, is a treasure of information, literature and Judaica. The High School of Jewish Studies is open to all Jewish teens in grades 8 through 12 regardless of affiliation. Intellectually challenging classes in conversational Hebrew, great books, Israel, literature, history, Holocaust, art and more are offered each semester. The Teacher Resource Center provides teachers with learning materials, curriculum supplements, resource books, arts and crafts supplies and helpful advice from the Bureau staff. The Bureau educates Jews throughout their lives, from story telling with pre-school children to sponsoring the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School which is a unique opportunity for adult learners to engage with the classic sources of Judaism.

Chabad House of Buffalo - [ Back to Top ]

Rabbi Noson Gurary, Director
North Campus
2450 North Forest Rd.
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 688-1642
Visit the Chabad House website

Chabad House offers a wide range of educational, social and religious programs through workshops, classes, lectures, guest speakers and concerts. At the State University of New York at Buffalo, Chabad rabbis teach 21 accredited courses. Chabad Houses are open every Friday night for services and Shabbat meals, as well as on Saturdays and every Yom Tov. There is no membership fee required to come to Chabad House.

Congregation B'nai Shalom - [ Back to Top ]

Helen Weinstein, President
1641 North Forest Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 689-8203
Visit Congregation B'nai Shalom's Website
A growing mixed-seating, traditional synagogue, affiliated with the Conservative movement. The congregation offers Shabbat morning services as well as Kiddush Conversations and a light Kiddush lunch. The congregation's children receive their religious education at Gesher Community School.

Congregation Havurah - [ Back to Top ]

Judy Brown, President
6320 Main St.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 902-4147
Visit Congregation Havurah's Website
A member-run, UAAHC affiliated family congregation formed in 1972, the Congregation offers Shabbat, holiday and High Holy Day services, a Torah study group, adult education programs, family Shabbat dinners and its own religious school. Events are held both at members' homes and space rented at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Williamsville. Rosh Hashana retreat takes place at the Chautauqua Institute.

Hebrew Benevolent Loan Association - [ Back to Top ]

Helen Weinstein, President
2640 North Forest Road, Suite 200
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 204-0542
Visit HBLA's Website

The Hebrew Benevolent Loan Association is designed to loan money, interest free, to any Jewish person from Western New York in need of temporary aid. When the HBLA was founded in 1897, Buffalo was flocked with Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe, many fleeing pogroms. They followed their relatives, who were also struggling for existence. The newly arrived immigrants did not want charity. They wanted only to become self-sufficient. For over 100 years, the HBLA has been a source of support to help in times of stress, to make vital family purchases and even to start and sustain businesses. Today, the HBLA continues its work providing financial assistance to those in need, especially when other resources are not available.

Hillel of Buffalo - [ Back to Top ]

Dan Lenard, President
Adeet Handel, Director
Rabbi Shay Mintz
Campus Center for Jewish Life
520 Lee Entrance
UB Commons, Suite 210
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 645-8787
Visit Hillel's Website

Hillel's mission is to ensure a vibrant Jewish environment for our local college students and the larger Buffalo Jewish community. It is a place to socialize with friends and connect with our Jewish heritage. The Hillel year is full of activities to engage our minds, spirits, well being and creative interests. Please join us for our popular Shabbat Services and Dinners (if from the Buffalo community, please when possible, make a reservation so we can plan accordingly). We strive to enrich Jewish life and thus make certain a strong Jewish future.

The Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo - [ Back to Top ]

Gabriel J. Ferber, President
Sylvia Schwartz, Executive Director
1050 Maryvale Dr., Room 464
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
(716) 634-9535
Visit The Holocaust Resource Center's Website

The Center's mission is to remember the victims, honor the survivors and educate the community. Served by a non-sectarian Board of Directors, its activities are designed to heighten public awareness and knowledge of the Holocaust. Teacher training, trips to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, special programs and exhibits and a Speakers Bureau are offered. A resource library of posters, videos, books and teaching materials is maintained. Book boxes containing age-appropriate classroom libraries are loaned to area middle schools and high schools. A high school course on the Holocaust is taught each semester via Distance Learning. Testimony of local survivors is videotaped for inclusion in the Center's library. The Resource Center sponsors an annual Arts and Writing Contest for students in grades 8-12 and co-sponsors Buffalo's annual Yom Hashoah observances.

Holy Order of the Living - [ Back to Top ]

Leonard Saran, President
P.O. Box 271
Getzville, NY 14068

A non-profit organization created to manage the Holy Order of the Living Cemetery located in Cheektowaga, New York on Pine Ridge Road.

Institute of Jewish Thought and Heritage - [ Back to Top ]

Dr. Richard A. Cohen, Director
Aaron Hughes, Associate Director
University at Buffalo
712 Clemens Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
(716) 645-3695
Visit The Institute of Jewish Thought & Heritage Website

The Institute of Jewish Thought and Heritage is a multidisciplinary research and academic degree-granting program focused on teaching and scholarship related to the contributions of the Jewish tradition in the development of Western civilization.  Highly interdisciplinary, the mission of the Institute is to foster knowledge, inquiry and scholarly excellence to better understand Judaism. 

Institute for Liberal Jewish Studies - [ Back to Top ]

Kathryn Gordon, Chair
(716) 873-1326

The Institute promotes adult Jewish learning and collaboration among synagogues by sponsoring an annual Scholar-in-Residence Spring Kallah. In addition, the Institute presents a visiting scholar program in the Fall at the Jewish Community Book Fair.

Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo - [ Back to Top ]

Andrew Isenberg, President
Richard A. Zakalik, Executive Director
787 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 886-3145
2640 North Forest Rd.
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 688-4033
Visit the JCC's Website

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo operates two state-of-the-art sports, aquatics and fitness facilities. Membership is open to all members of the community without regard to race, age, gender, religious preference, marital or economic status. In addition to fitness programs, the JCC offers a wide range of social and cultural programs for all ages including after school care, vacation camps, a computer lab, adult services and the Jewish Repertory Theatre. The JCC also offers a Nationally Accredited (NAEYC) Early Childhood program for children ages 18 month through pre-K.

Jewish Discovery Center - [ Back to Top ]

Dr. Norman L. Weinberg, President
Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, Director
212 Exeter Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 639-7600
Visit Jewish Discovery Center's Website

The Jewish Discovery Center provides Jewish education for the entire community with a full range of classes for adults on all levels, from beginners to the advanced. The center also sponsors Shabbatons for the family, the Jewish Art Calendar, a weekly television program, a weekly faxed Torah message, programs for children and seniors, and many other educational and social events for Jews of all ages and backgrounds.

Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County - [ Back to Top ]

David A. Schlein, President
Marlene Schillinger, Executive Director
70 Barker St.
Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 883-1914
Visit Jewish Family Service's Website

Jewish Family Service is a social service agency designed to strengthen, preserve and promote the well-being of families, children and individuals. They provide comprehensive assistance and guidance to enhance participation in community life, family affairs and spiritual practices. They offer many services to our community including mental health treatment programs, career development services, adoptive services, Kosher Meals on Wheels and gambling recovery. Services are confidential and are available to all residents of Erie County, regardless of age, sex, race or religious affiliation.

Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo - [ Back to Top ]

Holly W. Levy, President
Mike Wise, Executive Director
2640 North Forest
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 204-2241
Visit the Federation's Website

The Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo leads and empowers individuals to come together as a community committed to the vitality of the Jewish people under the umbrella of federation fund raising. Together with community partners and agencies, the Federation develops and implements the community's directions in meeting the needs of Jews and ensuring their creative survival.

Jewish Federation Cemetery Corporation - [ Back to Top ]

Jerome D. Carrel, President
Debbie Pivarsi, CFO
2640 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 204-2246

The Jewish Federation Cemetery Corporation has been given ownership and maintenance responsibility by the boards of certain cemeteries whose organizations have disbanded or whose directors have died or moved elsewhere. The corporation provides security and upkeep for those cemeteries and has plots available for purchase by members of the community.

Jewish Federation Apartments, Inc. - [ Back to Top ]

Karen Greenspan, President
Pee Gee Coyle, Executive Director
275 Essjay Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 631-8471
Visit the Jewish Federation Apartments Website

Jewish Federation Apartments is an apartment building offering subsidized residences to meet the particular needs of elderly (age 62+) and mobility-impaired adults (age 18+) and their families. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo, the goal of the building is to enable tenants to live as active members of the community in a safe and affordable setting. Located on a four-acre suburban site, the six-story building contains a total of 150 individual apartments.

Jewish Heritage Day School - [ Back to Top ]

Rabbi Shmuel Schanowitz, Principal
Arthur M. Gellman, Chairman
Catherine Nowocien, Administrative Assistant
411 John James Audubon Parkway
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 568-0226

Jewish Heritage Day School is a private coed elementary and middle school that combines general and religious studies in a single full-day program. The guiding principle of the school is that children receive a comprehensive education in Jewish thought and customs, instilling within them a deep appreciation and love of Judaism. Jewish Day School graduates consistently excel in high school and college and go on to achieve professional success while maintaining their strong commitment to Jewish tradition.

Jewish Liberal Arts Club - [ Back to Top ]

Illene Cooper, President
Contact the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo for more information.
(716) 886-7754 Ext. 319

A local cultural, educational, philanthropic and social organization, the club holds monthly meetings at Temple Beth El. It conducts an annual fundraising event to provide scholarships and interest-free loans for local students. The club also contributes to various community projects.

Kadimah School - [ Back to Top ]

Michael I. Pressman, President
Joel H. Weiss, Headmaster
1085 Eggert Rd.
Buffalo, NY 14226
(716) 836-6903
Visit Kadimah's Website

Kadimah School of Buffalo is the only Jewish Day School in the Buffalo area that serves the entire spectrum of the Jewish population: Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox. The coeducational, pluralistic day school offers an intensive, double curriculum in general studies and Jewish studies along with extracurricular activities in the arts, athletics, and community service. In addition to an outstanding curriculum in Judaic studies, Kadimah School has been a recipient of the New York State Department of Education Award for Excellence in secular education. Kadimah offers students the opportunity to receive their early education--both secular and Judaic--in one school, thus achieving a maximum of educational benefits in a minimum of time. The secular course of study parallels what students would receive in the best public and private schools and the Judaic education provides a well-rounded schooling of history, Torah, teachings and Hebrew. Each student is encouraged to strive for excellence and academic growth while maintaining the highest standards in attitude and behavior, reflecting moral sensitivity, personal refinement, and human decency.

Kehillat Ohr Tzion - [ Back to Top ]

Dr. Brian S. Joseph, President
879 Hopkins Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 689-8739
Visit Kehillat Ohr Tzion's Website

Kehillat Ohr Tzion is a modern, Orthodox synagogue offering separate seating with daily morning and evening services including Shabbat and all holidays. They are committed in all respects to Halakhah, Jewish law, and to actively learning and teaching Torah, Talmud and a variety of other subjects.

Maimonides Medical Society - [ Back to Top ]

Dr. Robert S. Stall, President
Visit Maimonides Medical Society's Website

Mesivta Menachem of Amherst - [ Back to Top ]

Rabbi Yosef Munitz
1080 Maple Rd.
Williamsville, NY

Mesivta Menachem of Amherst is a Jewish day school for high school students in grades 9 through 12. Rabbi Yosef Munitz is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the school or the educational opportunities being offered.

Poland Jewish Cemeteries Restoration Project - [ Back to Top ]

Dr. Norman L. Weinberg, Chairman
(716) 688-5272
c/o The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies
2640 North Forest Road, Suite 200
Getzville, NY 14068
Visit PJCRP's Website

The Poland Jewish Cemeteries Restoration Project, Inc. (PJCRP) had its beginnings in June of 2002. PJCRP workers and sponsors share the important goals of restoration, reconstruction and preservation of Poland's estimated 1400 devastated Jewish cemeteries, the Beit Hachaim, the "houses of the living". Achieving these ambitious goals requires the participation internationally of governments, foundations and many individuals. The growing list of PJCRP Shtetl coordinators, advisors and supporting organizations are helping to make possible these objectives.

Temple Beth Am - [ Back to Top ]

Todd Sugarman, President
Rabbi Irwin A. Tanenbaum, D.D.
Richard A. Ellis, Administrator
4660 Sheridan Dr.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 633-8877
Visit Temple Beth Am's Website

Founded in 1955, Temple Beth Am is a mainstream Reform congregation offering a wide variety of religious services and spiritual opportunities to those interested in exploring Jewish life. These include Erev Shabbat services, Shabbat morning worship and Torah study, High Holy Day, Festival, and monthly family Erev Shabbat services. Pesach Seders and Shavuot retreats are also offered. The Temple's Center for Jewish Learning is one of Western New York's largest Jewish religious schools, with unique opportunities for parental participation and experiential education, including a pioneer Chalutzim Center for children with special needs. Jewish education includes Ganeiu for parents and children ages two to five, religious school through confirmation, a high school program, and a diverse program of life-long learning with both daytime and evening options. The Temple has active auxiliaries: a Sisterhood and Men's Group, and a NFTY-affiliated Senior High School Youth Group (BATY). Members reach out to each other through the Caring Committee and are involved in the community through Social Action projects. Ongoing programs include services for Jewish inmates in nearby correctional facilities, joint activities with neighboring faith communities and tutoring projects in an inner-city public school. The Temple has an adult Library, the Morris and Gussie Spivack Memorial Youth Library, a Judaica shop and rotating art exhibits.

Temple Beth Tzedek - [ Back to Top ]

Janet Gunner, President
Rabbi Perry Netter
Allen Werbow, Executive Director
621 Getzville Rd.
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 838-3232
Visit Temple Beth Tzedek's Website

Temple Beth Tzedek is the largest Conservative congregation in Western New York, with roots dating back to the mid-1800s. It was formed by the June 2008 merger of Temple Beth El of Greater Buffalo – itself the oldest Conservative synagogue between New York and Chicago – and Temple Shaarey Zedek – itself the product of a 1968 merger of Temple Emanuel and Temple Beth David Ner Israel, both dating to the 1920s. A thriving, fully egalitarian member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism with over 550 families, Temple Beth Tzedek today serves a broad constituency from across the region, across the religious spectrum and across generations. TBT offers weekly Shabbat services on Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon), High Holy Day and festival services, and twice-daily minyans in the morning and evening. We also offer Junior Congregation, Tot Shabbat and a range of other family-oriented programming, as well as an afternoon religious school, the Gesher School, in partnership with another local synagogue, and an array of youth group activities through Machar, Kadimah, and USY. Additionally, we feature a wide range of social, community service, and educational programs, through our various committees and our active Sisterhood and Brotherhood auxilliary organizations, as well as through classes with Rabbi Perry Netter and initiatives of our Board of Trustees. Our nationally acclaimed Kesher initiative, in particular, provides assistance and outreach to members of the congregation and even the broader community who struggle with frailty, illness or disability or who have suffered a personal loss. The synagogue also houses the Sara Brooks Judaica Shop and our Amdur-Klein Library, which boasts the largest collection of Jewish books and materials in Western New York.

Temple Beth Zion - [ Back to Top ]

Howard Rosenhoch, President
Rabbi Gary Pokras
Susan Goldberg Schwartz, Director of Education
Mark Criden, Executive Director
805 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14209
700 Sweet Home Rd.
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 836-6565
Visit Temple Beth Zion's Website

Founded in 1850, Temple Beth Zion is Buffalo's largest congregation. All are welcome into membership. The Temple offers Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning worship, High Holy Day and festival worship at its facilities. Family Erev Shabbat is conducted monthly. Kabbalat Shabbat is conducted at 6:00 p.m. during the summer. A number of committees dealing with social programming, social action, education, finance and worship are open for participation and temple auxiliaries include Brotherhood, Sisterhood, NFTY-affiliated young people's society and junior youth groups. The temple sponsors programming for all members, including inter-faith families and senior adults. It has a library, gifts shops and the Benjamin and Dr. Edgar R. Cofeld Judaic Museum. The museum was established to document, celebrate, explain and interpret all aspects of the Jewish experience for all generations and houses over 1,000 Judaic artifacts dating from the tenth century to the present. The temple's Aaron and Bertha Broder Center for Jewish Education on Sweet Home Road offers a lifelong program of Judaic and Hebraic instruction. The preschool (PALS) offers programs for parents and children at the Sweet Home Road facility. The Religious School is geared to students aged 4 through 18. Sunday and midweek classes are conducted at both locations. Adult education and Cultural programs are open to the entire community.

Temple Sinai - [ Back to Top ]

Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein
Jill E. Hamilton, President
50 Alberta Dr.
Eggertsville, NY 14226
(716) 834-0708
Visit Temple Sinai's Website

Founded in 1952, an inclusive synagogue committed to dynamic Judaism and equality in the spirit of Jewish renewal. Services are conducted Shabbat evening and morning and on all holy days. Activities include a women's club, young adults' group, Shabbat morning Torah study and adult education. Family services, open to the public, take place monthly and on holidays. The Religious School offers Sunday morning classes for grades K-10 and Wednesday afternoon Hebrew School for grades 3 through 7. A special pre-school program (Hagigah) meets monthly, as does a Sunday evening post-confirmation class. A children's service takes place each Sunday during school hours as well as a youth-led junior congregation. An active PTA offers a variety of special enrichment activities for the entire family.

Weinberg Campus, Inc. - [ Back to Top ]

Jonathan E. Rodwin, Chairman
David M. Dunkelman, President and CEO
2700 North Forest Rd.
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 639-3311
Visit Weinberg's Website

Weinberg Campus is located on 130 beautiful acres in the Town of Getzville, NY USA. The Campus is designed to provide the widest array of services to help families successfully manage aging. Weinberg Campus accommodates different needs by providing the widest array of options, all housed on a beautiful campus, that includes the following: Forest Creek Commons Apartments, The Meadows Apartments, Garden House, for the Memory impaired and other frailties, Dosberg Manor - Adult Care Facility and Assisted Living Program, Rosa Coplon Living Center - short-term rehabilitation services, skilled nursing facility, and long term home health care. The Campus also provides adult day health care and social day programs for the memory impaired. The Total Aging in Place Program provides Medicaid managed long-term care, allowing participants to remain at home with support.

Yad B'Yad - [ Back to Top ]

Cindy Komm, President
2640 North Forest Rd.
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 204-3583
Visit Yad B'Yad's Website

Yad B'Yad (Hebrew for Hand in Hand) is an outreach and advocacy organization that assists persons with developmental, physical or emotional challenges achieve full participation, membership and inclusion in activities and organizations in the Jewish community. Their services, provided at no cost to the consumer, include: advice and advocacy for children and adults with disabilities, support for families, information and referrals to inclusive services and programs, recreational opportunities, after-school programs and summer camp. Their annual Run Walk 'N' Roll Race, in honor of the memory of Michelle Wexler, celebrates the accomplishments of those with and without disabilities. Yad B'Yad is a non-profit organization supported by memberships, private donations, grants and the Buffalo Jewish community.

Young Israel of Greater Buffalo - [ Back to Top ]

Richard G. Berger, President
Rabbi Moshe Taub
105 Maple Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 634-0212
Visit Young Israel's Website

Founded in 1973, a family-oriented Orthodox synagogue offering daily morning and evening services including Shabbat and all holidays. Kiddush is served Shabbat morning and home hospitality is available for Friday night dinner and Shabbat lunch. There is an active NCSY youth group for grades 4 through 12. Adult education classes are offered in torah, Talmud and a variety of other subjects. Its building contains a library and is located within walking distance of UB's North Campus. The Rabbi is available to the community for counseling and to answer questions regarding religious law and practice.