Editor’s Note

Published by Buffalo Jewish Federation 338 Harris Hill Rd., Suite 108B Williamsville, NY 14221 716-463-5050 www.buffalojewishfederation.org

CEO/Executive Director Rob Goldberg

President Margie Bryen

Editor Ellen S. Goldstein

Chief Creative Officer Jill Komm

The Buffalo Jewish Federation Is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America and the American Jewish Press Association

PRODUCED BY

Ellen Goldstein, Editor

The spring we have been waiting for since 2020 is upon us! Finally, after 3 years of COVID isolation and distancing, this joyous month of April is filled with in-person celebrations, commemorations, holidays and community gatherings.

First up is Passover, beginning Wednesday evening, April 5. I hope that you are as excited as I am to attend a seder, hear the Four Questions, and appreciate everything else that is experienced through the holiday (see page 14 and pages 28 and 29). Next, Yom HaShoah, our Community Holocaust Commemoration will take place on Sunday, April 16 at Temple Beth Zion and we’ll remember and carry on the message of our beloved Survivors (page 8)

The State of Israel is 75 this month and Jewish Buffalo will be celebrating multiple events that include two at the JCC: Yom Hazikaron that commemorates the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for the State on Monday, April 24, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day on Sunday, April 30 (page 7). There is also a Yom Ha’Atzmaut program at TBT April 26 at 5:30 p.m.

Earth Day is Monday, April 22 and will be celebrated from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Zion’s Delaware Building (page 4), and the Shtetl of Sokolivka is reborn this month online on the Jewish Buffalo History Center’s website. Thanks to community historian, Chana Kotzin, you will see some of the history of the Shtetl, once located in Ukraine near Kiev, and be able to see photos of some if its inhabitants and descendants who were/are Buffalonians. Go to jewishbuffalohistory.org/sokolivka-once-home to check it out!

There are also two remarkable pieces about recent immersive experiences in this issue. The first (pages 10-11) tells the story of the JCRC Civic Leaders Trip to Israel, and the second (page 12) features photos of the Buffalo journey to the UAE including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. And finally, be sure to read the first of Alan Sisselman’s two-part essay this month about his visit to Ukraine several years ago. It’s a very touching article and particularly meaningful due to this year’s tragic war in the region.

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Federation will be bringing this important multi-year, multi-pronged approach to addressing antisemitism locally beginning May 7. Read about it on page 6. Graphic by Jill Komm. 3

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Ellen Goldstein - Editor

Wishing a joyous holiday season to you and your family from me and mine.

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