Every summer, Jewish people – near and far – seek out the unique respite of Chautauqua Institution. It’s a tradition for many, and this week, Federation casts its spotlight on community member Ellen Sterman, who knows just how special Chautauqua Institution is.
For more than 90 years, the Sterman family has been woven into the fabric of Jewish Buffalo. Across generations, their commitment to Jewish life, community service, and meaningful relationships has left a lasting impact. Today, that legacy continues through Ellen Sterman, whose dedication to both the Buffalo Jewish community and the Chautauqua Institution reflects a life centered on connection, learning, and giving back.
A lifelong member of Temple Beth Tzedek, Ellen has always found her home within Jewish Buffalo. She has been an active member of the Jewish Community Center, served on the board of Jewish Family Services, and spent more than three decades caring for women throughout Western New York. As the founder of Audubon Women’s Medical Associates, Ellen recently retired after 33 years of practice as a gynecologist, closing a remarkable chapter of service to thousands of patients.
This summer marks another milestone: for the first time, Ellen is spending the entire season at Chautauqua Institution.
Although Chautauqua has long been part of her family’s story, one visit nearly four decades ago cemented its place in her heart. About 39 years ago, as she and her family prepared to move back to Buffalo, Ellen visited her mother’s rented home at Chautauqua. What was intended to be a brief stay stretched into 10 days.
The experience was transformative. Sometime later, Ellen and her husband purchased an aging cottage. They lovingly restored it themselves, creating a Southern Tier home that would become the backdrop for decades of family memories.
“It’s peaceful, relaxing, it’s a way to get educated and entertained,” Ellen says. “It’s just a beautiful place.”
Over the years, Chautauqua became more than a summer destination, it became part of the Sterman family’s identity. Ellen and her husband brought their children there, watching them grow up immersed in the Institution’s unique blend of arts, education, recreation, and community. Years later, both kids chose to be married on the Chautauqua grounds, further weaving the Institution into the family’s history.
Today, Ellen and her husband continue to embrace everything Chautauqua has to offer, spending their days biking, boating, attending lectures and performances, and enjoying the peaceful rhythm that has drawn generations of their family back year after year.
That multi-generational connection extends beyond Ellen herself. Her father, Joe Sterman, has long been recognized for his leadership and involvement in Jewish Buffalo. Even today, he continues to spend each summer at Chautauqua, a testament to the enduring bond both communities have held for the Sterman family.
For the Stermans, both Jewish Buffalo and Chautauqua have never simply been places to belong, they have been places to build a life, create traditions, and leave a legacy that continues to inspire. Federation thanks Ellen for generously hosting a group visit this week!
