Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island - COJO

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work on Staten Island!

For the 4th consecutive year, 240 refurbished bicycles were distributed to youth and adults in underserved Staten Island communities right before the FerryHawks game! This brings the program's 4-year total to over 750 bikes.

From 7-year-olds catching their first taste of freedom to workers getting a reliable commute, these bikes are changing lives just in time for summer.

Huge shoutout to the incredible team that made this happen:

• NYC DOT: Organized 12 collection events over 6 weeks.
• Bike New York: Spent months repairing and tuning up every single bike.
• SI FerryHawks: Hosted the event and hooked donors up with free game tickets!
• NYPD & Local Community Partners: Placed the bikes directly with families, shelters, and residents who needed them most.

A Special Leadership Thank You

A tremendous thank you to the leadership team at the NYC Department of Transportation for their unwavering dedication to this initiative:

• Mike Flynn, NYC DOT Commissioner
• Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner
• Roseann Caruana, Staten Island Borough Commissioner
•
Your commitment to bringing the "Donate a Bike" campaign to life on the ground makes a lasting difference for our borough's families.

Community Spotlight

"This phenomenal partnership gets stronger every year because we share a single, simple mission: to lift up our community and deliver tangible opportunity to those who need it most. Seeing the pure joy on the faces of our local youth and knowing that we are providing workers with a reliable bridge to their livelihood is what community collaboration is all about. When city agencies, local organizations, and neighbors come together like this, there is nothing Staten Island can't achieve." — Mendy Mirocznik, COJO President

Mobility is a bridge to opportunity. Thank you to everyone who donated and collaborated to keep NYC moving!



Photo Credit: Debbie Killen

NEW YORK’S TOP CIVIC AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS GATHER FOR MET COUNCIL’S 2026 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

NEW YORK, NY — The Met Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council) held its premier annual Legislative Breakfast this morning, Sunday, May 31, 2026, drawing an influential bipartisan turnout of over 500 government, civic, and community leaders from across New York City and State ahead of the annual Israel Day Parade.

The high-profile morning event served as a powerful platform for both historic statewide legislative action and the celebration of key public servants dedicated to the safety and well-being of New York’s diverse communities.

Historic Community Protection Legislation Signed into Law

In a defining moment for the breakfast, New York Governor Kathy Hochul took the stage—surrounded by elected officials and Jewish nonprofit leadership—to officially sign landmark statewide community protection legislation. The new law establishes a 50-foot security "buffer zone" around houses of worship, providing critical safety enhancements for congregants across the state.

The podium featured a distinguished roster of state and national leaders who delivered the morning's primary addresses, focusing on unity, community security, and the vital safety net provided by social services.

A big shout-out and congratulations go to David G. Greenfield, CEO of Met Council, for hosting yet another great and highly successful annual Legislative Breakfast, bringing together leaders from all sectors to advance these critical community causes.

COJO Staten Island Offers Special Tribute to Honoree Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks

Joining in the morning’s celebrations, the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) of Staten Island issued a special message of congratulations to one of the day’s most distinguished figures.

COJO Staten Island extends its warmest congratulations and a special shout-out to New York City Council Member Kamillah Hanks on the distinct honor received at today's breakfast. Council Member Hanks’ trailblazing leadership as the City Council’s Majority Whip marks a historic first for the borough of Staten Island.

"Council Member Hanks is a true, unwavering friend to our community and a tireless champion for the people of Staten Island," said COJO leadership. "Her historic leadership as Majority Whip and her deep commitment to the safety, growth, and prosperity of our neighborhoods make this recognition incredibly well-deserved. We are proud to stand with her today and celebrate her continued dedication to all Staten Islanders."

Photo Credit: Ariel Mirocznik

It was a profound honor to march down Fifth Avenue today for the 2026 Israel Day on Fifth parade! Moving together in such incredible numbers is a powerful reminder of our enduring unity, resilience, and unshakeable pride. Seeing the energy, the flags, and the community coming together as one vibrant voice underscores the strength of our shared heritage.

As a proud board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our Executive Vice President, Mark Treger, and our Vice President of Government Affairs, Howard Pollack, for their incredible leadership and tireless work in making this historic event a resounding success.

A massive thank you and shout-out to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the dedicated men and women of the NYPD. Their outstanding coordination and vigilance ensured today was a safe, secure, and beautiful family event for everyone celebrating across the city.

Am Yisrael Chai—today and always! 🇮🇱✨



Photo Credit: Ariel Mirocznik