Exodus: The Journey that made us
Jewish Discovery Center 831 Maple Road, Amherst, NY, United StatesHow history, memory and meaning shaped Jewish values, practices & identity Delicious Soups and Salads Will Be Served CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
How history, memory and meaning shaped Jewish values, practices & identity Delicious Soups and Salads Will Be Served CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa is a fascinating series exploring the questions our ancestors asked sages across the ages. 3 things we’ll learn in the course: 1. How our ancestors lived We’ll explore thirty real-life cases and get vivid windows into the lives of Jewish individuals and communities across history—from Spain in the fourteenth century, to nineteenth-century Russia, and 1950s Brooklyn. What did they worry about? What problems did they face? Join to find out! 2. How Jewish law works It shapes everything from the synagogue service to who wins a dispute—but Jewish law is shrouded in mystery. How does an ancient law apply to new realities? How do the rules get made? We’ll unpack the steps that the sages followed to adjudicate disputes and answer tricky questions. 3. The future of Judaism In our final lesson, we’ll see how Jewish law is already grappling with the questions raised by travel to Mars, artificial intelligence, lab-grown meat, and more. Uncover your history. Understand your heritage. Join us for an enlightening and intriguing course. Instructor: Rabbi Laizer Labkovski Hot dinner served No charge, all are welcome! Click here to register!
The Stamp Thief Director: Dan Sturman USA 2025, 103 mins, English From an Oscar-, Peabody-, and Emmy-winning team, “The Stamp Thief” is part detective story, part heist film, and part untold history. The documentary investigates a tale dating back to the Holocaust: that a mysterious Nazi stole priceless stamp collections from concentration camp victims and buried the stolen stamps in a small town in Poland. Embarking on a real-life “Argo”-like adventure, one-time “Seinfeld” producer Gary Gilbert sets out to confirm the story and recover the stamps. His tactic: a fake movie shoot. His goal: to return the stamps to their rightful owners, hopefully delivering a small measure of justice more than 70 years after the Holocaust. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
This is a dual film screening featuring two short films: Not My Weekend, followed by In the Middle. After both films are shown, there will be a virtual talkback with students from the Middle Meets program, connected to the film In the Middle. Not My Weekend Director: Rona Segal Israel 2024, 19 mins, Hebrew Sharon is on her way to a forest party to meet a lost lover from 20 years ago. However, her ex-husband left her responsible for their daughter, even though this is not even her weekend. In the Middle Directors: David Ullendorff & Felix Chamberlain USA 2025, 24 mins, English In the Middle is a 24-minute documentary about a group of Israeli and Palestinian college students who, in the wake of the October 7th Hamas massacre, came together to form Middle Meets—a space where Palestinian, Jewish, and international students can speak openly about the roots of the conflict. The film follows a weeklong gathering in Rome, where Israeli, Palestinian, and American students from the University of Notre Dame meet for difficult, often painful dialogue and reflection—an encounter made possible by the late Pope Francis, who also appears in the film. $15 per person CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Where it's fun to be Jewish at Jewish Discovery Center - 831 Maple Rd. Dinner will be served at 5:00 PM For more information call Brocha Leah Greenberg at 716.908.0133
The Blessings Circle, a new support group through a Jewish lens for families and friends of those with mental health and addiction issues. All are welcome. Monthly. January 20, Feb 17, March 17 See front desk for location Facilitator: Rabbi Yonina of jfswny. Questions/inquiries: [email protected] or (716) 883-1914 x422
Film Festival: The Floaters Director: Rachel Israel USA 2025, 101 mins, English The Floaters follows struggling musician Nomi, who accepts a last-resort job from her overachieving best friend Mara: mentoring misfit campers, the "Floaters," at their childhood Jewish summer camp. $15 per ticket CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Enjoy a complimentary, delicious lunch while listening to an engaging discussion of Jewish ethics from practical as well as spiritual perspectives.
Vindicta Director: Dominik Sedlar USA 2025, 120 mins, English In just one moment, 19-year-old Hannah’s world shatters when her parents are murdered in front of her. After fleeing, she seeks refuge with family friends before becoming the embodiment of rage and revenge towards those responsible for destroying her life. An unexpected connection with a handsome young Nazi Officer generates a moment of respite, but she is consumed by vengeance at any cost, no matter what or when. The story is inspired by the true events of women who helped defeat the Nazi army during WWII. $15 per ticket CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
This intermediate level Hebrew course is to further develop skills for those who already know the Hebrew alphabet and can read several words and phrases. The focus of this course is on Hebrew prayer. Dates: Wednesdays - February 4th - May 13th Time: 6:00-7:00pm over Zoom February 4, 11 & 25; March 4, 11, 18 & 25; April 15, 22 & 29; May 6 & 13 Cost: $236 Instructor: Rabbi Shlomo Schachter Click here to register!