Project Hospitality & the NYPD Partner with COJO & Resumes Post-Passover Pantry Services
Edited by: TJVNews.com
On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan located in the New Springville section of Staten Island hosted the first post Passover food distribution sponsored by the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO). Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO thanked, “Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Spiritual Leader of Aur Torah, President Oshri Reuven and the Aur Torah congregational family for being the Synagogue with a big generous heart which truly appreciates and values the work of COJO as we as a society grapple with the unprecedented surge in inflation and the cost of living.
Perhaps one of the sharpest points has been how soaring inflation has hit supermarket shelves. Good hardworking people who never dreamed of facing the daunting challenge of how can I afford groceries, pay rent, mortgage and bills are grappling with the grim reality of making ends meet. There is just so far in how their paycheck can be stretched. The cross section of seniors to families with young children facing this reality is frightening. However, COJO has a responsibility to Staten Island and we are committed to doing whatever we can to alleviate the best as we can this stressful reality.
Thanks to the advocacy of Rabbi Zeev, President Reuven and the support of the Aur Torah Congregational family, COJO is assisting our fellow Staten Islanders. The special thank you goes to the great Iva Reuven, our esteemed and highly respected Chairperson of the COJO Service Committee. Iva’s answering the clarion call of action, dedication to Staten Island and being there for everyone and having the energy and heart of getting it done is the secret to the pantry’s success. I dare say, without Iva there is no COJO Pantry. Iva thank you for being a personal inspiration to me as well as having joined the ranks as a general on the war on poverty.”
Mirocznik, further thanked the generous COJO Food Pantry partners who made this post Passover food drive and distribution possible. Mirocznik thanked in particular Met Council, David G. Greenfield, CEO and Executive Director of Met Council, Aaron Cyperstein, Associate Council and Director of External Affairs of Met Council, Jessica Chait, Managing Director of Food Programs at Met Council, Benjamin Zaientz, Quality Specialist at Met Council and Rebecca Glass, Met Council Pantry Coordinator for their support, encouragement and generosity and for their collaboration with COJO, NYPD and Project Hospitality in making this important Pre-Pesach food a reality.
Iva Reuven, COJO Service Committee Chairperson stated, “We are pleased to partner with Met Council, Food Bank NYC and City Harvest on this important initiative to provide ongoing food assistance to our community members in need” stated Iva Reuven, Chairperson, COJO Service Committee. “I am particularly proud of my Service Committee and their dedication to help alleviate food insecurity in Staten Island. I truly feel blessed to work with Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO, Scott Maurer, CEO and Executive Vice-President of COJO, Terry Troia, president of Project Hospitality and Gloria Nova, Director Volunteers of Project Hospitality for their help and assistance. It truly is an honor to work with such great partners in arms. Hopefully, there will be a turn around and the economy will improve and the need for pantry services will dissipate.
However, COJO and my hardworking team are committed to the long haul and I want to assure Staten Island that we will continue to do whatever is necessary to help as best as we can.” Rabbi Ahaon Zeev commented, “As Rabbi of Aur Torah, I am proud of my Synagogue and truly pleased with the work of COJO, Mendy Mirocznik, Scott Maurer, Terry Troia, Gloria Nova and our special treasure Iva Reuven. I am proud of how COJO, Project Hospitality and the NYPD work together for the welfare of our borough. I am honored to call Staten Island home. We truly have some great people who dare to care loving here. These people inspire me as a Rabbi.”
