B'COL - Buffalo Community of Learners

03/17/2026

An opportunity for our B'COL students and their older siblings:
The Holocaust Education Resource Organization of Buffalo's award season is open.

First up: HERO's annual Arts & Writing contest. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, and any Western New York student in grades 7-12 are eligible to enter.

Prompts students should consider are:
1.) How can the lessons of the Nuremberg Trials - accountability, truth and moral courage - inspire each of us in our actions against injustice in our world today? Or,
2.) Research a hero who stood up for justice during the Holocaust. How did this hero’s actions demonstrate a commitment to human rights and dignity?
Enter here: https://buffalojewishfederation.tfaforms.net/5174261

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18DJAq2Y2M/

Holocaust Education Resource Organization of Buffalo is powered by Buffalo Jewish Federation, a supporter of B'COL!

🏆Award season is around the corner! First up: HERO's annual Arts & Writing contest. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, and any Western New York student in grades 7-12 are eligible to enter. Prompts students should consider are:

1.) How can the lessons of the Nuremberg Trials - accountability, truth and moralcourage - inspire each of us in our actions against injustice in our world today? Or,

2.) Research a hero who stood up for justice during the Holocaust. How did thishero’s actions demonstrate a commitment to human rights and dignity?

Enter here: https://buffalojewishfederation.tfaforms.net/5174261

03/16/2026

Kudos to our B’COL students who were profiled by Buffalo Jewish Federation on their involvement with Girl Scouts of Western New York! National Jewish Committee on Girl Scouting JCC Buffalo

Girl Scouts March 13, 2026 Community Member Spotlight | My Jewish Buffalo This Women’s History Month, we are spotlighting the unique and longstanding history between Girl Scouts and Jewish women and girls. Thursday, March 12, marked National Girl Scout Day, which recognized the first convening of ...

01/06/2026

An opportunity for the parents of our oldest students and Madrichim (student aides) with Jewish Federations of North America:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16yTArFuH6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

If you’re the parent of a 12 to 19-year-old, we want your input: Join 's latest research project and help build a better understanding of the Jewish community's role in supporting parents: https://gwu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b1VnK0nCq553kSa

12/18/2025

Enjoy a Hanukkah tune from members of the B'COL Junior Choir, led by Cantor Arlene Frank (Congregation Shir Shalom) and Morah Zahava Fried (Temple Beth Tzedek):

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

12/18/2025

Happy Hanukkah, B'COL! To extend the joy of the holiday across Jewish Buffalo, our students recently baked Hanukkah-themed cookies and made Hanukkah cards for residents of The Amberleigh retirement community in Williamsville. Here are some photos of B'COL Director Rabbi Einav Symons delivering the cards and cookies alongside her B'COL Clergy partners Rabbi Sara Rich, Cantor Mark Spindler, and Morah Zahava Fried of Temple Beth Tzedek:

11/24/2025

As we gathered this morning for the final time before Thanksgiving, let us extend our thanks and gratitude to all the members our beloved B’COL community! Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families and we look forward to returning to school on Sunday, Dec. 7th! Note: There is no religious school on Sunday, Nov. 30th.

10/26/2025

Students had another great day at B’COL! Communal highlights included uplifting songs led by our cantorial clergy followed by Rabbi Alex and Rabbi Rich discussing the new Jewish month of Marcheshvan, and Rabbi Einav telling students about our project to send cards and gifts to Jewish U.S. Servicemembers in advance of Thanksgiving! Today also was the first session of our Junior Choir directed by Cantor Frank and Morah Zahava Fried!

10/17/2025

Weekly Newsletter - Oct. 17, 2025

Shalom Buffalo Community of Learners (B'COL) Families,

Prayers have been answered and this holiday season ended with all our living hostages returning home safely!

Please make sure you join us this Sunday for religious school to celebrate together!

For grades 4-7, electives will be starting this week. Grades 6-7 have an art session with Anna.

Reminder to sign up for last minute reminders at this link:

https://www.remind.com/join/bcol2526

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Einav Symons
Director

10/03/2025

Weekly Newsletter - Oct. 3
Shalom Buffalo Community of Learners (B'COL) Families,

We had another wonderful Sunday at B’COL! Our classrooms were full of curiosity and connection as students continued to build relationships and dive into learning.

A heartfelt thank you to the parents who joined the Parent Seminar about Navigating Social Anxiety with Stacey Essex and Stefan Perkowski, LCSW-R, ACSW. Your presence and participation helped create a thoughtful and supportive space for learning and reflection. We’re grateful for your commitment to building a more connected and compassionate community.

Please note: There will be no B’COL on Sunday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

We look forward to more inspiring Sundays together!

Upcoming at B'COL

Important!

This Sunday October 5th: we meet as a school at Temple Beth Tzedek of Amherst at 10 am for the Succot Outstretched Arm program. This program welcomes adult Jews with disabilities. Our children will be engaged with the guests by shaking the lulav and etrog and making Succot decorations.

Next Sunday October 12th: No School

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Einav Symons

09/14/2025

Welcome Back! Kudos to our B’COL students, faculty, staff and families for a wonderful first day for our Buffalo Community of Learners!