Edited by: TJVNews.com

This week, the air at Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan was not just filled with the sweet scent of apples and honey. It was buzzing with the energy of dedicated volunteers, the spirit of community, and the incredible legacy of a fifty-year-long promise to our Staten Island neighbors.

We are overjoyed and proud to announce that we have just wrapped up our 50th Annual Rosh Hashanah Food Distribution! For half a century, this event has been a cornerstone of our work at COJO, ensuring every local family can welcome the Jewish New Year with a table full of traditional foods, a sense of dignity, and a heart full of joy.

More Than a Meal, it is a Tradition

This milestone feels more important than ever. With food prices on the rise, many of our neighbors, especially seniors and families with children, are feeling the strain. For the working families and individuals, we serve, this distribution is about so much more than groceries.

It is about preserving tradition. It is about a family gathering to dip apples in honey and wish for a sweet new year. It is about lifting a heavy financial burden during a time that should be focused on reflection and family. By fighting food insecurity head-on, we are not just feeding bodies; we are nurturing the very spirit of our community and helping to build a more compassionate Staten Island for all.

It Takes a Village: A Legacy of Partnership

An undertaking of this magnitude is truly a team effort, and our gratitude for the partners who make this day runs deep.

Our work would be impossible without our gracious hosts at Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan. We thank Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Spiritual Leader of Aur Torah, Oshri Reuven, its president, and their entire congregational family. Their pantry’s success is a direct result of the tireless efforts of its director, Iva Reuven, who is the true heart and soul of this operation.

As Rabbi Zeev shared, “The act of giving, of providing sustenance for another, is one of the highest mitzvahs. As we prepare for the High Holidays, this work nourishes not just the body, but the soul of our entire community. It is a true embodiment of our values in action.”

Our efforts were powered by our incredible food distribution ally Met Council. We give special recognition and thank you to the Met Council team, whose leadership and generosity was instrumental in making this a reality: David Greenfield (CEO), Aaron Cyperstein (Managing Director of Legal and External Affairs), Benjamin Zaintez (Agency Relations Manager), and Hannah Lupien (Managing Director of Food Programs).

We also send a huge thank you to our healthcare and community and corporate partners who stepped up to support their community: Gary Tai and Carina Vizhnay of Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Jenny Palaguachi, 1199SEIU Healthcare and Education Project Coordinator, and our new friends at Santander Bank—Roxana Perdomo (Branch Manager), Natasha Rattan (Branch Manager), and Despina Cifu (District Executive).

The entire day ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to our seamless partnership with law enforcement. Officers from the NYPD and MTA Police were on hand to help with everything from packing food to directing traffic.

Chief Terence Hurson, Executive Officer of Patrol Borough Staten Island, put it perfectly: “Seeing officers and residents working side-by-side today demonstrates the powerful, positive impact of police-community partnerships. COJO’s 50 years of service is a remarkable achievement that makes Staten Island a stronger, more resilient borough.”

Sincere thanks also go to Captain Jim Palaj (Commanding Officer, Pct. 121) and Captain Ryan Russel (Commanding Officer, MTA Police, District 9), whose officers were integral to the day’s success.

Nurturing the Next Generation of Givers

We were especially proud to see our youngest community members getting involved. A special thank you goes to Annesa Ali, COJO’s Chief of Staff and founder of Making a Change With Kindness (MACK), and her daughters, Mia and Mya Ali. Through their “youth give back program,” they organized our young volunteers, enriching the event and helping forge new friendships.

A Word From Our President

Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO, captured the feeling of the day:

“In a time of increasing economic strain, ensuring our neighbors don’t have to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table is our sacred duty. We are immensely grateful to all our partners, volunteers, and elected officials who make this possible. Helping our neighbors in need is the foundation of building a stronger, better Staten Island for everyone.”

Thank you, Staten Island, for fifty incredible years of community action. From all of us at COJO, we wish you a Shana Tova happy, healthy, and sweet New Year!