Chabad History in Buffalo: Over 130 Years of Jewish Life & Outreach

Chabad History in Buffalo spans over 130 years, beginning with the founding of Anshe Lubavitz in the 1880s and continuing through today’s Chabad Center for Jewish Life under Rabbi Mendy and Chaya Mushka Labkowski. Throughout its history, Chabad-Lubavitch has been a cornerstone of Jewish education, youth programs, and community outreach, ensuring that Jewish life in Buffalo thrives while remaining rooted in tradition.

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Anshe Lubavitz: The Beginnings of Chabad History in Buffalo

Founded in the 1880s and incorporated in 1890, Anshe Lubavitz became the first organized Chabad-Lubavitch congregation in Buffalo, New York, and one of the earliest Nusach Ari synagogues established in the United States. Its formation placed Buffalo among the earliest centers of organized Chabad life in America, reflecting the early growth of Lubavitch communities beyond Eastern Europe.

The congregation initially met in private homes as its membership grew. By 1911, the community had built a large synagogue at 113 Pratt Street on Buffalo’s East Side. The building soon became a landmark of Jewish life in the neighborhood, and Anshe Lubavitz became widely known as the “Pratt Street Shul.” The new synagogue provided a permanent home for Chabad traditions, prayer services, and community life for decades.

The congregation was led by a succession of distinguished rabbinic and communal leaders who helped shape Jewish life in Western New York. In 1902, Rabbi Mendel Loeb Gilden, who trained in Russia as a mohel (ritual circumciser), shochet (kosher slaughterer), and chazzan (cantor), settled in Buffalo and served as its religious leader for more than two decades, He was followed by Cantor Perez Freedman.

Rabbi Chaim Davidovich also played an important role in Buffalo’s Orthodox Jewish community, serving as the city’s rav for eighteen years and as an active member of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of Buffalo. During his tenure, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous Rebbe (known in Yiddish as the Frierdiker Rebbe), the sixth Rebbe and leader of the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement, corresponded with him on numerous occasions from Europe. In these letters, the Previous Rebbe expressed deep concern for Jewish education in Buffalo, encouraged cooperation within the local community, and offered practical guidance on selecting qualified teachers, developing a strong curriculum, and strengthening Torah education.

This correspondence demonstrates that Buffalo maintained a direct connection with the international leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch decades before the Previous Rebbe arrived in the United States in 1940, underscoring the city’s important place in the early history of Chabad in America.

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1943: The Founding of Yeshivas Achei Tmimim Buffalo

Following his arrival in America in 1940, the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the sixth Chabad Rebbe), launched a nationwide effort to establish Torah schools and yeshivos across the United States, reflecting his vision of rebuilding Jewish education in America after the devastation of European Jewry. Recognizing Buffalo’s growing Jewish community, he sent Rabbi Avraham Hecht to explore opening a branch of Yeshivas Achei Tmimim Lubavitch.

After receiving Rabbi Hecht’s favorable report, the Previous Rebbe wrote to Buffalo’s Jewish community in the summer of 1943, expressing his joy that a local branch would be established and appointing Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi (Hershel) Fogelman as its first principal. Although the school began with only a handful of students, the Previous Rebbe personally encouraged Rabbi Fogelman not to be discouraged, reminding him that every great Torah institution begins modestly.

The Rebbe viewed the yeshiva as Rabbi Fogelman’s foremost responsibility. In a 1944 letter, he instructed him to devote himself to educating students in Torah, good character, respect for parents, and proper conduct; to expand enrollment; to secure the institution’s future; and to strengthen Jewish life throughout Buffalo. He also encouraged the establishment of Mesibos Shabbos youth programs, and the opening of Beis Rivkah School for girls in 1944, while reaching out to Jewish youth in English and organizing regular educational gatherings.

In early 1944, the yeshiva purchased its permanent home at 42 Butler Avenue, becoming a thriving center of Torah education. Within two years, enrollment had grown to approximately 200 students. Rabbi Fogelman became known for his tireless dedication to Jewish education, visiting families throughout Buffalo, strengthening Jewish observance, and building a vibrant Torah community.

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1947: Continuing Education and Community Leadership

In 1947, Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner and his wife, Devorah Groner, were sent to Buffalo by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe (the Frierdiker Rebbe), to continue building upon the strong educational foundation established by Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi (Hershel) Fogelman. By the time Rabbi and Mrs. Groner arrived, Yeshivas Achei Tmimim had become a recognized center of Torah education, and they were entrusted with guiding its next stage of growth while expanding Jewish life throughout Buffalo and Western New York.

Under their leadership, the yeshiva and its community programs flourished. In addition to providing structured Torah education for children, they expanded learning opportunities for adults through regular classes, lectures, and community gatherings that inspired greater Jewish observance and participation.

Rabbi Groner also established a Mikvah on Kenmore Avenue, strengthening the city’s religious infrastructure and providing an essential resource for Jewish family life.

Together, Rabbi and Mrs. Groner became deeply involved in the spiritual development of Buffalo’s Jewish community, helping inspire a new generation of committed Jewish families and mentoring young men who would later assume rabbinic and communal leadership positions throughout North America.

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1950s: Strengthening the Yeshiva Through New Leadership

During the 1950s, Yeshivas Achei Tmimim Buffalo continued its mission of providing Torah education and strengthening Jewish life in Western New York. As the yeshiva faced the challenges of maintaining and expanding a religious institution in post-war America, new leaders joined in supporting its educational and administrative needs.

Rabbi Yehuda Leib (Leibel) Posner assisted in the leadership and administration of the yeshiva during this period. A dedicated educator and one of the prominent young Chabad leaders of that era, Rabbi Posner helped guide the institution during a time when maintaining a strong Torah presence required tremendous dedication and effort.

From 1954 (1957) – 1959, Rabbi Hershel Slansky served as principal of the yeshiva. “After my marriage in 1954, the Rebbe sent me to make a yeshivah in Buffalo, where we lived until 1959”. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the institution and secure its financial stability. The yeshiva faced significant financial challenges, and Rabbi Slansky regularly shared his concerns with the Rebbe.

The Rebbe emphasized that support for the yeshiva needed to be directed specifically toward the educational institution itself. After reviewing the yeshiva’s needs, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch sent financial assistance, including a donation of $1,000—a substantial amount at the time. On Yom Kippur, Rabbi Slansky shared the story with the community, holding up the check and declaring that there was “a rabbi in Brooklyn who worries about your children.” His words inspired renewed communal support for the yeshiva.

Despite the dedication of its leadership and supporters, the challenges facing the institution eventually led to its closure. However, the Rebbe’s continued concern for Yeshivas Achei Tmimim Buffalo demonstrated the deep importance he placed on preserving Torah education in every Jewish community.

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1960: The Rebbe Revives the Yeshiva

Although changing demographics and financial pressures eventually led to the yeshiva’s closure, its importance remained deeply felt. In 1960, when Rabbi Mordechai (Mottel) Zajac traveled from Brazil to receive the Rebbe’s blessing before opening a business, the Rebbe instead challenged him to revive the Buffalo yeshiva founded by his father-in-law, remarking in essence, “How can one sleep peacefully when my father-in-law’s yeshiva is closed?” Rabbi Zajac accepted the mission and moved to Buffalo, serving for more than three years as Dean and Executive Director while rebuilding the yeshiva’s educational programs.

The Rebbe later expressed his satisfaction that the institution was once again growing both physically and spiritually, underscoring the enduring importance he placed on preserving Jewish education in Buffalo.

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1971: The Modern Chabad on Campus

Rabbi Nosson Gurary and his wife Miriam established the Chabad House of Buffalo in 1971, one of the first campus-style Chabad centers in the United States. Initially located at 3292 Main Street, it later moved near the University at Buffalo campus. The Chabad House focused on outreach to university students, offering Torah classes, Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and personal spiritual guidance. It became a welcoming home for students exploring Judaism.

During this era, a broader Chabad community in Buffalo emerged. The Bais HaKnesset HaGadol–Lubavitch (Chabad Knesset Center) at 500 Starin Avenue became a hub for daily minyanim, holiday services, and gatherings for local Chabad families, including the arrival of Rabbi Heschel and Leah Greenberg, and Rabbi Shmaryahu and Shaina Charitonow.

After many years of dedicated service to the Jewish community of Buffalo and Western New York, Rabbi Nosson Gurary transitioned the work of Chabad at the University at Buffalo, to his sons, Rabbi Avraham Gurary and Rabbi Moshe Gurary, building upon the foundation that had been established and providing Jewish education, programming, and community support for students at the university.

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1995: Expanding Community-Focused Chabad in Buffalo

In 1995, Rabbi Laizer and Chani Labkovski moved to Buffalo to expand Chabad’s presence beyond the university campus. They founded the city’s first community-focused Chabad House, offering adult Jewish education through JLI courses, youth programs like CTeen, winter camp, holiday celebrations, a welcoming synagogue, and a daycare center serving families year-round.

The Labkovskis also launched Buffalo’s first Hebrew School that does not require a synagogue membership, providing engaging, values-based Jewish education for children from all backgrounds. Recognizing broader community needs, they established Kosher Meals on Wheels, delivering kosher meals and companionship to seniors and homebound individuals. Through these initiatives, Chabad in Buffalo grew into a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community rooted in Torah, chesed, and the Rebbe’s vision.

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2021: A New Chapter in Buffalo’s Jewish Renaissance: Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Buffalo

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Buffalo was established in 2021, co-directed by Rabbi Mendy and Chaya Mushka Labkowski, representing the next stage in Chabad’s 130-year legacy in Western New York.

The Center serves as a hub for Jewish engagement, education, and outreach, reaching individuals and families across Elmwood Village, Bryant, Allentown, Downtown, and North Buffalo. Rabbi Mendy Labkowski also founded Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) of Buffalo, a community for Jewish adults in their 20s and 30s to connect, learn, and engage with Jewish life.

According to our research and local community studies, Buffalo’s Jewish population is estimated at approximately 25,000 in 2025. As the City of Buffalo — and especially its downtown area — experiences a remarkable cultural and economic renaissance, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life is proud to serve this growing and revitalized community.

Guided by the Rebbe’s vision of Ahavat Yisrael — unconditional love for every Jew — the Center offers Torah study, Shabbat and holiday experiences, youth programs, community service, and spiritual guidance, while also supporting material and emotional needs.

Through these initiatives, Chabad-Lubavitch in Buffalo honors its rich past while embracing the opportunities of the 21st century, ensuring its light continues to illuminate Buffalo for generations to come.

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FAQ: Chabad History in Buffalo & the Local Community