Chodesh Kislev; a Month of Action and Introspection

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Chodesh Kislev was adopted this year by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO) as the month of action and introspection. The idea came about after Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Mara D’Atra of the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan located in the New Springville section of the borough recommended that this year especially considering the war that Israel finds itself in and the rise in antisemitism something in the likes of a wake-up call to the Jewish community is necessary. Rabbi Zeev explained, “these tragic events are no coincident that just happened. It is a signal to Klal Yisrael to do some soul searching and to become better people. That is why as a community Rabbi I was pleased after I approached Oshri Reuven, President of Aur Torah, Iva Reuven, COJO Pantry and Social Services Director and Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO, to discover how supportive they were of my suggestion.

I am impressed how quickly they implemented my suggestion and mobilized the community into a chesed factory. From collecting donations for Israel, its soldiers and people in distress. To urging people to give of their free time to learn extra, say Tehillim, come more often to Minyan, and to assisting fellow community members with various needs. I am proud to say that COJO implemented my suggestion and I am proud of how many community members got involved. I am proud that our yeshiva students joined in with their parents and gave a helping hand. I truly feel we are gentler and kinder people and I pray that this should be a merit for Klal Yisrael during these trying times.”

Mendy Mirocznik, expressed his appreciation to Rabbi Zeev and stressed, “it truly is a powerful experience how kind and loving our Staten Island community is. People who may be acquittances developed friendships and through doing Chesed have transformed not only themselves but Staten Island into a better place. If there ever was a need for more Achdus now is the time. If there was ever a need for people to be kind and gentle now is such a time.

I thank Rabbi Zeev for his guidance and I thank Iva Reuven and her hard-working team’s enthusiastic response to Rabbi Zeev’s call to action. Ideas are great, but the tricky part is to implement them. I thank Iva Reuven for being the one that made it happen. I hope that these new found friendships will lead to deeper Ahvas Yisrael and community involvement that will be a Mitzva machine that keeps on giving and helping more.”

Mirocznik further explained, “Rabbi Zeev further emphasized the need to engage in learning and showing appreciation to the NYPD who are working hard and around the clock in keeping our Synagogues, Yeshivas and institutions safe during these difficult times. I am proud that Rabbi Zeev practices what he preaches. I saw first-hand his embracing of police officers offering them a hot cup of coffee, a danish and above all a listening attentive ear. Rabbi Zeev did it all and truly is an inspiration to me.”

Iva Reuven, remarked, “at COJO we struggle lending a helping hand. We work tirelessly in improving the situation and helping to bring healing and love to people. The big problem is changing peoples attitudes why we need everyone’s participation to make a difference. During this harrowing time many people came to the realization that there is more to life then themselves. They realized there are other in this world who need a friendly shoulder at times to lean on. I thank Rabbi Zeev for inspiring Staten Island and I am proud of the many who volunteered. I am confident and as I witness more people becoming involved they develop a deep passion for chesed. May this passion help be a Zichus at this troubling time for Klal Yisrael.”