831 Maple Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221
A Time to Build — Our building campaign is underway. Help us build the future of Jewish Buffalo. Learn more →
Our Flagship Program

Institute for Jewish Studies

Buffalo's premium adult Jewish learning experience

For anyone who wants to know more about Judaism.

Books and a lamp of study

One of the Jewish Discovery Center's most significant and far-reaching programs, the Institute for Jewish Studies is now in its 28th year of quality adult Jewish education. It is an innovative program for anyone who seeks excellence in Jewish education, presenting local and guest scholars who will educate, challenge and fascinate you.

The Institute's programs operate in a non-judgmental environment and are conducted with the utmost respect, in the belief that every Jewish adult is capable and deserving of learning the rich heritage of the Jewish people.

Courses are designed to provide an overview of Jewish history, culture, thought and tradition — a chance to gain an understanding of the vastness, beauty and depth of Judaism, and a marvellous opportunity to become acquainted with 3,000 years of Jewish wisdom and learning.

All are urged to participate in this mind-enhancing experience.

28thyear of adult Jewish education
1,000people from all backgrounds and affiliations
180different courses in that time
When One Heart Became Two Worlds — a Jewish History Series, Sunday mornings 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the Jewish Discovery Center
Current Course · Institute for Jewish Studies

When One Heart Became Two Worlds

A Jewish History Series

Pirates. Palaces. Pioneer families. The birth of Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewry — from Babylonia, the centre of the Jewish world for centuries, to the golden age of Córdoba and the pioneer communities of Mainz, Worms and Speyer. One Torah, two great melodies, one Jewish story.

Sunday mornings · 11:00 AM – 12:00 noon

831 Maple Rd., Williamsville

Lavish brunch served · All welcome

In Their Words

What Participants Say

Extremely interesting and stimulating classes.
It opened my eyes to the vastness and depth of Judaism.
What the Institute has me still thinking about is what it means to be Jewish.

Students have also described the courses as “non-doctrinal” and “intellectually stimulating”.

The Archive

Courses Over the Years

69 courses and 475 individual classes, across seven fields of study. Many are available to listen to free in the audio library.

Jewish Thought

21 courses
  • The Jewish Thought Series9
  • The Mind of Judaism7
  • The Heart of Judaism8
  • The Soul of Judaism7
  • What do Jews Believe?5
  • Judaism's Constitution4
  • Higher Realities in Judaism4
  • Israel2
  • The Holocaust4
  • Moshiach24
  • Relationships3
  • Happy sailing on the relation-ship6
  • Journey of the Soul5
  • Heaven and Earth's two way street6
  • Spiritual Judaism6
  • Have you got a Prayer?37
  • Live Life to the Fullest6
  • Think and Live Outside the Box6
  • Why Were Optimistic about the Future3
  • The Beis Hamikdash3
  • The Tanya8

Kabbalah

11 courses
  • A B C of Kabbalah8
  • Channels of the Soul6
  • Kabbalah of Change5
  • Kabbalah Psychology8
  • Kabbalah Counseling6
  • Kabbalah: The Soul in Action8
  • The Kabbalah of Life8
  • The Genome of the Soul4
  • Kabbalah of Spiritual Growth6
  • Kabbalah of Gratitude and Joy6
  • The Wisdom of the Zohar6

Jewish History

7 courses
  • Jewish History Crash Course5
  • Jewish History Late Biblical Period6
  • Jewish History: Post Biblical8
  • Jewish History: Early Modern Period5
  • Jewish History - Major Jewish Controversies8
  • Jewish History - Great Jewish Leaders7
  • Jewish Folklore6

Jewish Life and Practice

12 courses
  • Practice Made Perfect: Intro. To Jewish Practice6
  • Jewish Holiday Series18
  • Jewish Holidays: Chanukah and Purim6
  • Freedom and Purpose: The Holidays of Passover and Shavuos6
  • Solemnity and Joy: Tishrei Holidays6
  • The Jewish Home7
  • The Jewish Home Makeover4
  • The Jewish Life Cycle8
  • The Daily Cycle2
  • The Jewish Community5
  • The Shabbat: An Oasis in Time6
  • Judaica Jewels6

Talmud

1 course
  • The Talmud24

Jewish Law, Ethics & Society

7 courses
  • Jewish Law & Ethics7
  • Jewish Values5
  • Jewish Social Values6
  • Issues and Isms through a Jewish Prism6
  • Jews & Views6
  • Beyond the Letter of the Law (Pirkei Avot (Ethics)7
  • Feminine Mystique4

Biblical Studies

10 courses
  • Adam & Eve in the Garden4
  • Joseph and His Brothers5
  • Pardes – The Orchard of Torah6
  • The Exodus7
  • The 42 Journeys6
  • The Shema3
  • Wisdom of King Solomon7
  • The Covenants5
  • In the Beginning: The Wealth of Wisdom in a single Biblical verse6
  • Psalm 272