Jaffe graduated from the Bronx High School of Science. He attended college at the City College of New York, Saint John's University and at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he obtained a doctorate in psychology. His work career started in the Bronx as a messenger for Western Union. He taught at Columbia and the City University. His research was published in national psychology journals and he made numerous presentations at national and one international meeting. He still has a psychotherapy practice in the Bronx.