Buffalo Rabbi in the News

Light after the Bondi Beach attack — Chanukah 2025

After the Chanukah attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life’s fourth annual public menorah lighting in Elmwood Village became a tribute to the victims. Rabbi Labkowski, who knew some of those killed personally, spoke about answering darkness with light and kindness.

• WKBW 7 NewsDec 2025‘Fight darkness with light’: Buffalo Jewish community honors Hanukkah victims with public menorah lighting

October 7 and the hostages

Rabbi Labkowski has spoken for the Buffalo Jewish community at gatherings calling for the release of the hostages held in Gaza and marking the anniversary of the October 7 attack.

• WKBW 7 NewsOct 7, 2024Voices of the Jewish community one year after the Hamas attack on Israel
• New York State SenateSep 24, 2024Senator Rob Ortt joined by faith leaders and elected officials at a rally for the release of American hostages in Gaza

  Press conference at the Statler in Buffalo with state legislators, county officials and faith leaders, including Rabbi Labkowski.

Buffalo Stands With Israel — Niagara Square

On October 15, 2023, hundreds of people from all backgrounds gathered at Niagara Square in front of Buffalo City Hall, lit in blue and white, for a solidarity gathering organized by Rabbi Labkowski and hosted by the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. He opened the event, spoke and served as emcee.

• WKBW 7 NewsOct 15, 2023‘We’re not going to stand by’: Buffalo rallies for peace in Middle East
• WGRZ Channel 2Oct 2023Coverage of the Buffalo Stands With Israel unity gathering
• WBEN 930 AMOct 16, 2023Local Rabbi: Weekend rally for Israel ‘was beyond all expectations’

  Radio interview with Rabbi Labkowski, the rally’s organizer.

• Anash.orgOct 23, 2023‘Buffalo Stands with Israel’ with Torah, Tefillah and Tzedakah
• Chabad BuffaloOct 15, 2023Full event livestream replay & photos

The Buffalo News cartoon

In December 2023, after The Buffalo News published a cartoon depicting Stars of David as faucets pouring out skeletons, Rabbi Labkowski called on the paper to issue a formal apology to the Jewish community. The story was covered locally and nationally, and The Buffalo News offered an apology.

• WBEN 930 AMDec 27, 2023Jewish community angry over Zyglis cartoon
• JNSDec 28, 2023‘Buffalo News’ criticized for antisemitic cartoon
• The Daily CartoonistDec 28, 2023Adam Zyglis cartoon riles Jewish community
• United with IsraelDec 2023Buffalo News slammed for antisemitic cartoon
• JRMoraDec 29, 2023Buffalo Jewish community demands removal of a cartoon it considers antisemitic and an apology from the newspaper

  International coverage citing Rabbi Labkowski’s remarks on WBEN.

• The ForwardDec 2023National coverage of the Buffalo News cartoon controversy
• WBEN 930 AMDec 30, 2023Buffalo News hunkers down as hurt Jewish community digests antisemitic message
• WGRZ Channel 2Dec 2023After publishing a controversial cartoon, The Buffalo News offers an apology
• WGRZ Channel 2 (video)Dec 2023Rabbi Labkowski’s interview on Channel 2
• Chabad BuffaloDec 2023Rabbi Labkowski’s statements, radio interview and updates

The Tops supermarket shooting — May 2022

After the racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue, international media turned to Rabbi Labkowski, who lives near the store, to speak about the attack, its antisemitic dimension and the close-knit neighborhood it struck.

• YnetnewsMay 2022Buffalo shooting conjures up specter of hate, antisemitism in America

Community announcements

• Chabad BuffaloMar 2, 2025Buffalo City Hall dome shines orange in honor of the Bibas family
• City of Buffalo & Erie County2022–2026Education & Sharing Day proclaimed across Western New York

  Proclamations from Buffalo Mayors Byron Brown, Chris Scanlon and Sean Ryan, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Governor Kathy Hochul and the Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga and Tonawanda. See the photos.

• Buffalo Common CouncilApr 12, 2022Council President Darius Pridgen presents Education & Sharing Day proclamation to Rabbi Labkowski
• Chabad Buffalo2026High Holiday Experience at Canalside, downtown Buffalo

On air

Rabbi Labkowski appears on local television to share the meaning of the Jewish holidays and speak about Jewish life in Buffalo.