COJO Holds Successful Annual Pre-Chanukah Food Distribution

COJO Holds Successful Annual Pre-Chanukah Food Distribution

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Annual COJO Pre-Chanukah Food Distribution held at the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan located in the New Springville section of Staten Island has just concluded. Dairy products, and a wide assortment of produce and grocery products were the order of the day. This annual event conjured up much community spirit as Iva Reuven, COJO Food Pantry and Social Services Director and her hardworking crew assembled and together packed over 400 food packages for community members in need. This important work provided these people the ability to enjoy Chanukah with the traditional food for festive Chanukah meals.

Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Rabbi of Aur Torah who was on hand for the pre-Chanukah Food Distribution commented, “that as a community Rabbi my goal is to engage people and to encourage them to participate in Torah, Mitzvoth, Tefillah and Chesed. The current situation that the Jewish people finds ourselves in is freighting. The war in Israel and domestic insecurity leaves a feeling of despair. However, the COJO food pantry, a Mitzva project adopted by Aur Torah under the leadership of President Reuven Oshri is an important chesed vehicle that unites people and has them working together in a way that advances Ahvas Yisrael. I thank Mendy Mirocznik, COJO, president and Iva Reuven for their tireless dedication which is needed so desperately during these trying times.”

Mendy Mirocznik, thanked the generous COJO Food Pantry partners who made this post Passover food drive and distribution possible. Mirocznik thanked in particular Met Council, David G. Greenfield, CEO and Executive Director of Met Council, Aaron Cyperstein, Associate Council and Director of External Affairs of Met Council, Jessica Chait, Managing Director of Food Programs at Met Council, Benjamin Zaientz, Quality Specialist at Met Council and Rebecca Glass, Met Council Pantry Coordinator for their support, encouragement and generosity and for their collaboration with COJO in making this important annual Pre-Chanukah food distribution a reality.

Mirocznik also thanked the NYPD for their support covering all details from packing, distributing food to traffic control. “We as COJO are proud of our strong partnership with the NYPD and are delighted to collaborate with them in all of our communal projects.” Mirocznik then thanked Chief Joseph Gullotta, Staten Island Borough Commander; Inspector Eric Waldhelm, Commanding Officer, Pct.121; Captain Matthew Divito, Executive Officer, Pct.121; Sgt. Charles Kosa, Pct. 121; Officer Matthew Pizzullo, Pct. 121; Officer John Sibal, Community Affairs, Pct. 121; and NYPD Community Ambassador for spending time and joining the service committee and pitching in and helping to make the annual pre-Chanukah Food Distribution a truly successful event.” All in all, it is thanks to Rabbi Zeev, Iva Reuven and the wonderful Aur Torah members coming together that transformed a food distribution into a unity and friendship building event. These are the important accomplishments that is so desperately needed during these harrowing times,” concluded Mirocznik.

Inspector Waldhelm remarked, “the NYPD appreciates our relationship with COJO. By joining COJO’s important work the NYPD is able to build relationships and community confidence. This is important as we strive to enhance the quality of life and public safety in Staten Island. We at the NYPD look forward to further collaboration with COJO. Together with Mendy Mirocznik and Iva Reuven we are making a difference.”