COJO Empowers Staten Island Community through Pre-Shavuot Food Distribution

COJO Empowers Staten Island Community through Pre-Shavuot Food Distribution

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) hosted a highly successful pre-Shavuot food distribution event on May 18, 2023. Held at the vibrant Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan in New Springville, Staten Island, the event aimed to provide essential food items that hold deep cultural significance during the holiday, including dairy products, cheese, and fish.

Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO, expressed profound gratitude to Rabbi Aharon Zeev, President Reuven Oshri, and the entire Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan family for their unwavering support and gracious hospitality in hosting this meaningful pre-Shavuot food distribution. Mirocznik specifically acknowledged the invaluable contributions of Iva Reuven, COJO’s Food Pantry Director, who exemplified wisdom, empathy, and a compassionate heart, playing a pivotal role in the event’s resounding success. He further commended the dedicated team of volunteers who collaborated closely with Terry Troia, President of Project Hospitality, and Gloria Novoa, Director of Volunteers at Project Hospitality.

Mirocznik highlighted the team’s diversity, unity, and passion for service, expressing deep appreciation for Terry Troia’s vision of creating a better world, which is gradually transforming into reality. What pleased Mirocznik the most was the participation of Oren and Liam Bilik, students from the Jewish Foundation School of Staten Island  and Ella Mizrachi, from the Staten Island Hebrew Academy. It truly is invigorating when our children, the pride of our community get involved and participate. Their volunteerism adds so much meaning and significance to the pantry. Their participation truly enhanced the event.

COJO’s Food Pantry President extended heartfelt thanks to their generous partners, particularly Met Council, for their instrumental role in making the pre-Shavuot food drive and distribution possible. The unwavering support and collaboration of David G. Greenfield, CEO and Executive Director of Met Council, Aaron Cyperstein, Associate Council and Director of External Affairs, Jessica Chait, Managing Director of Food Programs, Benjamin Zaientz, Quality Specialist, and Rebecca Glass, Pantry Coordinator, were pivotal in the successful realization of this important initiative. The alliance formed between COJO, the NYPD, and Project Hospitality fostered a harmonious synergy that ensured the smooth operation of the distribution.

Captain Eric Waldhelm, Commanding Officer of Pct. 121, alongside his dedicated officers, Officer Scott Gusenfitter and Officer John Sibal from Community Affairs, Pct. 121, were acknowledged for their exceptional support in traffic management and overall operational efficiency during the event. Captain Waldhelm expressed the pride of the NYPD in partnering with COJO and emphasized the significance of such collaborative endeavors in enhancing the quality of life for Staten Island residents while forging stronger community relationships.

Iva Reuven, COJO’s Food Pantry Director, emphasized the impactful collaboration between COJO, Met Council, Food Bank NYC, and City Harvest. She highlighted that the pre-Shavuot food distribution not only served as a source of nourishment for the holiday but also provided ongoing assistance to community members facing food insecurity. Reuven expressed immense pride in the dedication exhibited by COJO’s Service Committee in combating hunger within Staten Island. She conveyed profound gratitude to Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO, and Terry Troia, President of Project Hospitality, for their unwavering support throughout the initiative. Reuven assured Staten Island residents that COJO and their diligent team remain committed to providing necessary assistance for as long as it is needed, while remaining hopeful for an improved economy that will alleviate the demand for pantry services.