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Staten Island Community Days Celebrates 26 Years of Unity and Excellence at 2026 Closing Gala
Annual Event Honors Exemplary Local Leaders Embodying the Theme “Leadership With Grace and Love”
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Bringing together diverse voices from across the borough, the annual Staten Island Community Days concluded its season tonight with a powerful and inspiring Closing Celebration at the Wagner College Faculty Dining Hall. Grounded in this year’s profound theme, “Leadership With Grace and Love,” the evening highlighted the vital role that faith, vocation, and selfless service play in binding the fabric of the community together.
Established over 26 years ago with the core mission to strengthen local neighborhoods, Staten Island Community Days has long stood as a beacon for promoting religious, racial, and ethnic harmony. The annual celebration serves a vital purpose: to recognize outstanding champions of the borough who lead by example and dedicate their lives to uplifting others.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to the 2026 Honorees, a distinguished group of individuals recognized as true pillars of the Staten Island community:
Deputy Chief Amir Yakatally, Executive Officer, Patrol Borough Staten Island
Rabbi Michael Howald, Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island
Asia Wickramanayake (Wagner College, Class of ’26)
Patricia Gandelman, Principal, Our Lady Star of the Sea
Dr. Bari Ceka, highly respected Staten Island Physician
Dr. Ilka Ceka, highly respected Staten Island Physician
Each honoree was celebrated for their unique journey, demonstrating how personal conviction and professional dedication can intersect to create lasting, positive civic change.
Reflecting on the deeper spiritual and cultural impact of the gathering, Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center remarked:
“True leadership is rooted in compassion and mutual respect. Tonight, we saw the beautiful tapestry of Staten Island come together under the banner of grace and love. This gathering reminds us that our diversity is our greatest strength when anchored by a shared commitment to peace and community service.”
Professor Lori Weintrob, director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center, emphasized the event’s vital educational and historical resonance:
“In a world that often feels divided, Staten Island Community Days provides a vital space for solidarity and remembrance. By honoring those who lead with empathy, we teach future generations—like our own Wagner students—the profound impact of standing up for one another and building bridges across different cultures.”
Praising the overall success of the event, Mendy Mirocznik, President of the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) of Staten Island, offered high praise for the driving forces behind the initiative:
“Staten Island is a better, more harmonious place because of the vision and tireless dedication of Imam Tahir Kukaj and Professor Lori Weintrob. We owe a debt of gratitude to these two visionaries for their trailblazing efforts and powerful impact on Staten Island. They don’t just speak about unity; they actively build it, inspiring all of us to lead with grace.”
The evening concluded on a high note of unity and optimism. As organizers reflected on the success of the milestone gathering, they noted that the Staten Island Community Days Closing Celebration truly showcases how great our borough is, proving definitively that when we lead with grace and love, our community grows stronger together.
About Staten Island Community Days: Founded more than a quarter-century ago, Staten Island Community Days is dedicated to strengthening communities and fostering deep, meaningful relationships across all religious, racial, and ethnic groups in the borough through service, recognition, and collaborative civic engagement.
