By Jill Abromowitz Gutmann

This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, reminds us that truth and integrity are the bedrock of a just society. As the Israelites stand on the threshold of the Promised Land, Moses emphasizes that our actions, and the stories we choose to tell, carry weight and consequences. In an age of disinformation, this ancient message resonates more powerfully than ever.

As we enter the period of the Jewish New Year, where we take account of our lives and our commitments to ourselves and each other; we must celebrate our histories and stories as part of the diverse fabric of the community. As part of the Jewish value of Tikun Olam, we must make the world better. Part of doing this is through educating ourselves, our children, and our neighbors.

In 1976, Bertha Cofeld founded the Cofeld Judaic Museum to educate and celebrate the history of Jewish Buffalo and the global Jewish experience. However, October 7th, 2023 changed everything. With the rise of antisemitism, our mission has evolved to be more outward facing. The museum is evolving into a vital community asset transitioning from an internal resource for the Jewish community to a beacon of education for the entire region.

The catalyst for this change began with the Blum Jewish Education Project, which focuses on three pillars: the history of the Jews of Buffalo, Judaism, and the architecture of Temple Beth Zion, that is facilitated through workshops with school groups, and other community organizations that take place in the museum and  the TBZ sanctuary. Over 7,000 guests have visited from across Western New York since October 7th. Most of these visitors are not Jewish, have little or no background in Judaism, or have never met or engaged with a Jew.

Through our free workshops, we have welcomed public and private schools, universities, churches, and corporate partners. These visits are powerful antidotes to antisemitism, allowing guests to engage directly with our community; ask questions; participate in hands-on learning; and discover that we are their neighbors, friends, and partners.

To meet these changing needs, the Cofeld Judaic Museum has blossomed into a new entity—The Jewish Museum of Buffalo: Cofeld Judaic Collection. The leadership of this non- profit Board of Directors includes Robert Hirsch, Susan Adelman, Jean Dubow, Catherine Linder Spencer and many others. The museum will soon open its doors wider, with public open hours and a growing exhibition that tells the rich story of Jewish Buffalo.

By illuminating our history and celebrating global Jewish culture, art, and architecture, the museum will serve as a vital community connector, fostering dialogue and forging lasting alliances throughout WNY and beyond. The museum, co-located within the renovated Temple Beth Zion, tells the expansive story of the Jews of WNY, from the Torah from Temple Beth El of Niagara Falls to the story of the Ararat Stone housed at the Buffalo History Museum, to the history of Buffalo’s first congregation, Congregation Beth El in 1847.

In the next few weeks, The Jewish Museum of Buffalo will become the second organization in the city after the AKG Art Museum, and the 17th Jewish institution worldwide, to join the prestigious Bloomberg Connects Audio Guide. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, this partnership will elevate us onto an international platform, ensuring our stories are heard globally.

Just as Ki Tavo calls upon us to remain true to our values, we must choose to tell a story of growth, resilience, and purpose. As we enter this new year, we are rooted in truth and committed to the sacred work that defines our Jewish community.

Jill Abromowitz Gutmann is the director of the Jewish Museum of Buffalo and the Blum Jewish Education Project.  She has a Masters in Jewish Thought and Ethics from Hebrew Union College, Masters in Public Health from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, a Fulbright Scholarship and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Smith College.