Edited by: TJVNews.com
New Springville, Staten Island, in advance of the celebration of Chanukah which will take place this year commencing with the lighting of the Menorah on the evening of Sunday, December 18, the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) held its annual Chanukah food drive and distribution at the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan.
“I commend our awesome Service Committee Chairperson Iva Tull Reuven, and her hard-working team for persevering through the cold, chilly, stormy and windy rain and for pulling off an amazing Chanukah Food Distribution. Iva we want you to know that this truly was hand to hand combat on the war on poverty. Singlehandedly, you made mission impossible possible. That truly is a testament to your strong, vibrant and positive leadership. The energy exerted today is priceless. Your efforts are helping over 400 families have the necessary food to enjoy festive Chanukah meals. Please, I implore you to pause for s moment and to reflect and to feel proud. Thanks to your herculean actions, COJO has a great pantry and a wonderful, caring team of community activists who dare to care.
What further impresses me is how Iva’s team collaborated with Terry Troia, president, Project Hospitality and with Gloria Nova, director of volunteers, Project Hospitality and their stubbornness and refusal to surrender. Instead, these great activists decided collectively to tackle the weather head on, they geared up by putting on rain coats, pitched and tarped the tents and persevered and accomplished. The thought of postponing due to inclement weather as not even a thought. Terry your dream of having harmony and unity working together is no longer a lofty vision but the reality in Staten Island. I cannot thank you enough,” so said Mendy Mirocznik, president, COJO.
Mirocznik then thanked the NYPD, Inspector Eric Waldhelm, Commanding Officer, Pct. 121, and his wonderful officers, Sgt. Charles Kosa, Officer Daniel Murro, Officer Sean Mondello and Officer John Sibal, “for coming and helping with traffic and with all aspects needed to run an efficient Pantry operation. COJO appreciates the support the police give us and I can assuredly say that this assistance will further enhance public safety and well-being for all Staten Islanders. We at COJO look forward to growing and developing further our community partnership with the NYPD and raising the bar higher for further accomplishments.
Mirocznik also thanked Empire BlueCross and BlueShield, and to Gary Tai, and Cari Diaz, and to the legendary Josephine Marino for their support and help. “Carina I don’t know how you do it but you never cease to amaze me.”
Mirocznik, thanked Rabbi Aharon Zeev, President Oshri Reuven and the entire Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan. Your generosity and love to be at the forefront of helping the community and support and hosting of the COJO Food Pantry helps us get the job done. COJO is honored to be hosted and associated by such an important Staten Island iconic congregation.
In conclusion Mirocznik thanked 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 Chanukah food a reality.
“David, we at COJO want you to know that we appreciate Met Council’s generous donation of food. Your special heart tonight helped COJO do so much good as we did last week with the collaborative COJO, JCC, Project Hospitality and Met Council Unity Chanukah Food Distribution. That event alone fed over 600 families in the Hasidic community. That action by itself made a mark on the war against poverty. COJO does not have sufficient words or praise to show our deep admiration, love and appreciation. David thank you and we look forward to strengthening this friendship and together I confidently say we will win the war on poverty and hopefully eradicate hunger and food insecurity once and for all.
Iva Reuven commented, “obstacles such as bad weather does not absolves us from our responsibility in feeding people. Hunger does not disappear because a food distribution was postponed due to a rainstorm. Chanukah is coming and we have a job to do and I am proud of our team and the support we received from Terry Troia, Mendy Mirocznik and the gang. It is through this teamwork we succeeded.”
On behalf of the NYPD, Inspector Eric Waldhelm remarked, “COJO and its leadership team are from the best that Staten Island has to offer. From a policing view, I unequivocally state our community partnership with organizations such as COJO have made and are continuing to make a difference for the borough. Such Chanukah food drives brings diverse people together with the agenda of just doing good. In this process we interact with the public and gain their trust and confidence. Mendy I want you to know that we appreciate your leadership and look forward to taking on with COJO more events that will build a better and safer Staten Island. COJO thank you for being such an important partner and leader.”
