New York City Councilmembers Reflect on their Israel Trip Organized by the JCRC

Edited by: TJVNews.com

On February 7, 2023, at the Jewish Community Center the JCRC-NY followed up by holding a panel discussion with New York City Council Members Kamillah Hanks (D-49, Staten Island) and David Carr (R-50, Staten Island), they joined together for a special bipartisan event discussing and reflecting their experiences in Israel. In addition, Eric Dinowitz (D-11, Bronx), and the Chair of the New York City Council Jewish Caucus and an organizer of this important Israel mission joined the panel and  offered his reflections on his experience that he had in Israel. This event was co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) and by its charter member organization the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO-SI), and the Staten Island Jewish Community Center (JCC).

In December of 2022,  the JCRC-NY organized the first New York City Council members study tour to Israel since 2018.  The 12 council members to comprise this delegation represented all five boroughs.

The panel discussion was moderated by the venerable and highly respected Scott Maurer, CEO and Executive Vice-President, COJO-SI. The focus of the discussion pertained to the areas of shared society and security and to ensure that that the study tour to serve as a basis to build lasting and strong relationships for this important work which strengthens the bonds of the American-Israel alliance.

Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO remarked, “that the panel discussion truly was an informative event, and it gave the Staten Island community the unified opportunity to show our support and appreciation to our Council Representative for visiting Israel. The trip demonstrated that Israel is not a partisan issue and our Council representatives who hail from a  wide range of political beliefs agree to support Israel as America’s democratic ally and true and dependable  friend in the Middle East. The event further showcased the great and important work of the JCRC-NY in building support and awareness of Israel in a nonpartisan manner.”

Mirocznik further thanked, “our partner and friend Orit Lender, Executive Director and CEO of the JCC. We at COJO look forward to our continued partnership in brining great programs to our Staten Island community which will enrich and enhance our flourishing community.”

Scott Maurer thanked Noam Gilboord, COO of the JCRC-NY, “for doing a phenomenal job on planning and organizing the Israel trip. Your hard work and efforts was quite evident as seen in the panel discussion. Thanks to you and the JCRC-NY the Council Members had a worthwhile and informative visit to Israel and the truth of how wonderful Israel truly is came out in an accurate, honest, and positive light.”

Maurer concluded by thanking Rabbi Yaakov Wasser, and Mrs. Ruth Garber, Principals of the Jewish Foundation School of Staten Island (JFS) and Mrs. Iva Tull Reuven who besides being the JFS PTA President serves as the COJO-SI Service Committee Chairperson for having the students of JFS present the colors, lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and the recital of the National Anthem and Hatikva. The climax of the event was their powerful closing harmonic music. We want you to know COJO is proud of JFS your students truly are the crown jewel of our wonderful community.