This Shabbat, we are thrilled to spotlight one of our young Jewish leaders, Shira Silverstein. Shira is one of three chairs for NEXTGen Jewish Buffalo, Federation’s young adult engagement group, and a young professional who approaches her work and community involvement with intention, care, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Shira currently serves as a Product Manager at M&T Bank, where she drives strategic initiatives for the bank’s TM Onboarding digital platform, blending analytical rigor with a commitment to collaboration and impact. In parallel, she is pursuing her MBA at the University at Buffalo to deepen her business acumen and leadership capacity, reflecting her belief in lifelong learning and service.

Jewish life has been a central part of Shira’s identity and leadership journey. She grew up very involved in the Rochester Jewish community, inspired by her parents and grandparents, who were always actively engaged in vibrant Jewish life. Her grandfather’s experience as a Holocaust survivor has been a lasting anchor for her faith and a motivating force behind her commitment to engaging younger generations in Jewish community. During her time at the University at Albany, Shira served as President of Hillel, where she worked to create welcoming, inclusive Jewish spaces and led programming designed to meet students across a wide range of backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and levels of observance. Her leadership emphasized accessibility, belonging, and the cultivation of meaningful connection.

Today, Shira remains deeply engaged in Buffalo’s Jewish community thorugh NEXTGen, where she values opportunities for relationship-building, shared learning, and thoughtful communal engagement. She is particularly passionate about cultivating Jewish spaces that feel open, supportive, and inclusive, and where individuals feel comfortable showing up as their full selves. Shira is committed to contributing to a connected Jewish future in Buffalo through presence, intention, and care.