Building bridges and creating
moments of meaning.
Stronger Than Hate – Buffalo Stands with Pittsburgh
We grieve and stand in solidarity with the victims and their families.
The shooting on Shabbat morning (October 27, 2018) at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA was a direct attack on the Jewish community, motivated by hatred. The anti-Semitism and xenophobia that fueled these violent acts have no place in our society.
Resources
Click here to download a copy of the Buffalo Jewish Community Relations Council OFFICIAL STATEMENT regarding the Pittsburgh Massacre.
Numerous people in the community, both Jewish and non-Jewish attended Shabbat services November 2 – 3, 2018 to show their solidarity. Every synagogue opened their doors to people of all faiths, backgrounds and affiliations. Click here for a listing of synagogues throughout Jewish Buffalo if you wish to join in a future Shabbat service.
On Saturday, November 3, 2018, the community gathered for Let There Be Light at The Tabernacle, which honored the lives of those lost in the Pittsburgh Synagogue tragedy by recommitting to peace and acceptance for all.
Need help talking to your children about anti-Semitism? Click here for an article from PJ Library.
Here are opportunities for you to provide DONATIONS honoring those who died in the attack:
- HIAS
- Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Victims of Terror Fund
- Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County
To see local media coverage on the event, click here for a listing of links to articles, videos and interviews.
Community Relations
Vision
The Jewish Community Relations Council, inspired by Jewish values, seeks to sustain a more civil and caring community in Western New York and around the world.
Mission
Representing the Buffalo Jewish community, we will:
- Build meaningful and collaborative relationships with other faith, ethnic, and cultural communities toward the goal of building a more civil society.
- Be visible and vocal in the greater community during times of crisis and on vital social issues.
- Be actively involved in key issues impacting the Jewish community
- Educate and advocate on all those issues, seeking consensus based on core Jewish values.
Values
Respecting all viewpoints and with concern for social justice, we will build our collective voice based on the following core Jewish values:
Tikkun Olam
Darchei Shalom
Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Rey’echa
Ger Hayiti B’Eretz Nachriyah
Upcoming Events
JCRC Committee Meeting
JCRC Committee Meeting
JCRC Committee Meeting
JCRC Committee Meeting
Contact Community Relations
Buffalo Jewish Service Corps
Federation, in partnership with the American Red Cross, supports the Buffalo Jewish Services Corps (BJSC), a Jewish response team that is at the ready to respond to local emergencies as an adjunct for Red Cross and other organizations. BJSC members have received basic Red Cross training such as Sheltering and Psychological First Aid. The Corps is always looking for new team members. Please contact Federation’s office to learn more about how you can be a part of BJSC.