Today we are pleased to cast our spotlight on Laurie and Ron Sadler, the chairs of Federation’s upcoming Journey to Morocco.
Laurie is a lifelong Buffalonian having attended Amherst High School before leaving for college at the University of Michigan and later returning to Buffalo for medical school. Laurie is a clinical geneticist, the Interim Chief of the Division of Genetics, and Co-Clinical Director of the Craniofacial Center of Western New York. She also teaches at the Jacobs School of Medicine. Ron graduated from the University at Albany and came to Buffalo to attend the UB School of Dental Medicine. He is currently the CEO at Inspire Dental Group PLCC. The Sadlers have three grown children, one of whom, Evan, lives in Buffalo with his wife Elle, and their two children.
The Sadlers have a personal connection to Morocco because Elle’s parents are from there. Elle’s father descends from a family of 22 generations of rabbis. The Ibn Danan synagogue in Fes, which dates to the 17th century, was home to many of these rabbis, including Elle’s grandfather.
Jews have lived in Morocco for more than 2000 years, and at its peak, Morocco had a thriving Jewish community of 275,000. Even though Morocco is now home to only 2000 Jews, it remains the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world. The Sadlers had planned a family trip to Morocco in 2020 but they had to cancel because of the pandemic.
“While traveling in the UAE with the Buffalo Jewish Federation in 2023,” notes Laurie, “we became excited about organizing a community trip to Morocco and brought the idea to Federation leadership.” “We believe so strongly in immersive experiences as an effective way to engage Jewish Buffalonians and strengthen community,” remarks Stacey Block, who will be staffing the trip along with Robin Kurss, “and we at once embraced the idea.”
Please join the Sadlers in exploring Morocco’s rich Jewish history from April 28-May 7, 2025. The experience will include spectacular sights and an opportunity to immerse in Moroccan culture traveling from Casablanca to Marrakech to Fes. For more information, visit: buffalojewishfederation.org/journey-to-morocco. Please direct any questions to Robin Kurss ([email protected]).
