COJO Community News
Annual Menorah Lighting Held at Borough Hall in St. George
Published on www.silive.com on December 18, 2014
The celebration of the Festival of Lights at Borough Hall Thursday evening not only marked the hope of the Jews in defeating their enemies, but it also symbolized a sense of hope much-needed right now for Staten Island.
During the annual Borough Hall Menorah Lighting, sponsored by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO), Borough President James Oddo said that, "this has been a very difficult stretch of time for our community, our city and our this country."
Despite the challenges, he said, "(This has really been) an opportunity for all of us who care about Staten Island, who care about New York City, and who care about this country to come together."
Oddo said while things have gotten tense with moments that seemed to tear us apart, we all must remember the things that also bind us -- one of which is faith.
Hanukkah honors the small band of Jews, the Maccabees, who defeated a mighty army and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. Miraculously, a one-day supply of oil fueled a flame for eight days to light the Menorah and purify the Temple.
Rabbi Nachman Segal of Chabad Israel Center of Staten Island, who performed the lighting of the Menorah, said Hanukkah has much to teach us.
"One of things we can learn from Hanukkah is every day a person needs to do something good," he said. He noted as each day a new candle is lit, what was does in the past is good – but not enough – every day more good things need to be done.
Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO said, "Hanukkah is all about joy and love. It's cold outside, it's winter outside, there's lots of evil outside. Here's Hanukkah —it takes the good from the outside and illuminates it in the middle of the night -- like one big light and it's the light of hope for the New Year."
On behalf of COJO, Assemblymember Michael Cusick presented Borough President Oddo with a proclamation.
The Rabbi Aaron Zev of Congregation AUR Torah Sephardic Congregation of Staten Island provided the invocation.
Several lively musical performances were provided by children and young adults. Performing were: Oorah of Staten Island; Congregation Toras Emes Hebrew School, Congregation Ohel Abraham Hebrew School, Jewish Russian Learning Center, and the Theater Brats of Staten Island Technical High School.
Cantor Jerry Markovitz also performed.
Over 1,800 gathered at the South Beach Boardwalk to rally in support of Israel
Published on www.silive.com on July 25, 2014
A huge crowd peacefully rallied in South Beach to voice support for Israel in the increasingly tense and violent confrontation with opposing forces in Gaza.
Leaders of the borough's Jewish community offered prayers, politicians committed to backing their cause, and coordinators gave out balloons, flags and T-shirts as the large, vocal crowd gathered Thursday evening with a march that ended at the boardwalk.
The escalating tensions were triggered last month when three Israeli teens were kidnapped while hitchhiking.
Following about two weeks of extensive searching, their bodies were found partially buried in rocks not far from where they were abducted. One was also a U.S. citizen.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Islamist militant group Hamas with responsibility for the deaths.
"Hamas is responsible, and Hamas will pay," Netanyahu said the day the bodies were discovered.
That was followed by the killing of a Palestinian teen, reportedly as revenge, and the Israelis arrested and charged suspects in that incident.
In the days that followed, rockets were fired into Israel, some targeting Tel Aviv, and Israel's military response has grown increasing severe.
STRONG CONNECTION
"I feel such a strong connection to the Jewish people. We're one united nation, with one heart," said Scott Kalmikoff, associate executive director of the Island chapter of the the Council of Jewish Organizations. "I was very proud to stand out there last night and show support."
The "Staten Island Stands With Israel Rally" was scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. at the Dolphin fountain, but supporters were showing up as early as 5:30 p.m.
The gathering ended around 9:15 p.m. and the NYPD reported mored than 1,800 people attended, making this the largest pro-Israel gathering to ever take place on Staten Island, organizers said.
GROUND INVASION
The Israel Defence Forces ground invasion of the Gaza Strip in now in its eighth day, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported on its website.
In Israel, 38 people have been killed since July 8, including 35 soldiers, two Israeli civilians and a Thai worker.
The army announced on Friday that an Israeli soldier whom Hamas had claimed to have captured earlier this week had in fact died in battle on that day.
More than 800 Palestinians have been reported killed so far, according to Haaretz.
The U.N. chief and the U.S. secretary of state made a new attempt Friday to nail down a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, as Israel's 18-day military operation in the Gaza Strip fueled unrest in the West Bank, where five Palestinians were killed in protests.
Despite the truce efforts, Israeli airstrikes hit more than 80 sites in Gaza while militants in the tiny Mediterranean strip fired 50 rockets at Israel, the army said.
Among the sites hit in Gaza were 30 homes, including that of a leader of the Islamic Jihad group who was killed along with his sons, Palestinian officials said.
'EXTREMELY PERSONAL'
"Along with all of our families there, a lot of us have relatives serving, so its extremely personal," said Kalmikoff. "We gave the people a chance to stand up for them."
Israel launched the military operation on July 8, with a massive air campaign to stop relentless Hamas rocket fire into Israel and expanded it last week to a ground war aimed at destroying tunnels the military says Hamas has constructed from Gaza into Israel for attacks against Israelis.
Commenting on the rally, Kalmikoff said: "It was just excellent, such a great turnout. The Jewish community around Staten Island really stands behind Israel.
"We did it on the boardwalk purposely, so people could see what were doing."
Published on www.silive.com on July 25, 2014
A huge crowd peacefully rallied in South Beach to voice support for Israel in the increasingly tense and violent confrontation with opposing forces in Gaza.
Leaders of the borough's Jewish community offered prayers, politicians committed to backing their cause, and coordinators gave out balloons, flags and T-shirts as the large, vocal crowd gathered Thursday evening with a march that ended at the boardwalk.
The escalating tensions were triggered last month when three Israeli teens were kidnapped while hitchhiking.
Following about two weeks of extensive searching, their bodies were found partially buried in rocks not far from where they were abducted. One was also a U.S. citizen.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Islamist militant group Hamas with responsibility for the deaths.
"Hamas is responsible, and Hamas will pay," Netanyahu said the day the bodies were discovered.
That was followed by the killing of a Palestinian teen, reportedly as revenge, and the Israelis arrested and charged suspects in that incident.
In the days that followed, rockets were fired into Israel, some targeting Tel Aviv, and Israel's military response has grown increasing severe.
STRONG CONNECTION
"I feel such a strong connection to the Jewish people. We're one united nation, with one heart," said Scott Kalmikoff, associate executive director of the Island chapter of the the Council of Jewish Organizations. "I was very proud to stand out there last night and show support."
The "Staten Island Stands With Israel Rally" was scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. at the Dolphin fountain, but supporters were showing up as early as 5:30 p.m.
The gathering ended around 9:15 p.m. and the NYPD reported mored than 1,800 people attended, making this the largest pro-Israel gathering to ever take place on Staten Island, organizers said.
GROUND INVASION
The Israel Defence Forces ground invasion of the Gaza Strip in now in its eighth day, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported on its website.
In Israel, 38 people have been killed since July 8, including 35 soldiers, two Israeli civilians and a Thai worker.
The army announced on Friday that an Israeli soldier whom Hamas had claimed to have captured earlier this week had in fact died in battle on that day.
More than 800 Palestinians have been reported killed so far, according to Haaretz.
The U.N. chief and the U.S. secretary of state made a new attempt Friday to nail down a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, as Israel's 18-day military operation in the Gaza Strip fueled unrest in the West Bank, where five Palestinians were killed in protests.
Despite the truce efforts, Israeli airstrikes hit more than 80 sites in Gaza while militants in the tiny Mediterranean strip fired 50 rockets at Israel, the army said.
Among the sites hit in Gaza were 30 homes, including that of a leader of the Islamic Jihad group who was killed along with his sons, Palestinian officials said.
'EXTREMELY PERSONAL'
"Along with all of our families there, a lot of us have relatives serving, so its extremely personal," said Kalmikoff. "We gave the people a chance to stand up for them."
Israel launched the military operation on July 8, with a massive air campaign to stop relentless Hamas rocket fire into Israel and expanded it last week to a ground war aimed at destroying tunnels the military says Hamas has constructed from Gaza into Israel for attacks against Israelis.
Commenting on the rally, Kalmikoff said: "It was just excellent, such a great turnout. The Jewish community around Staten Island really stands behind Israel.
"We did it on the boardwalk purposely, so people could see what were doing."
Hundreds Rally in Search of Answers After 3 Israeli Teens Found Dead
Published on www.silive.com on July 1, 2014
There was heartbreak all over Staten Island's Jewish community Monday evening after learning that the bodies of three missing Israeli teenagers -- whose disappearance drew worldwide attention -- had been found.
The sadness of the borough's local Jewish community and others who related to those in Israel and worldwide who were heartsick after the June 12 disappearance of the boys from the West Bank and their subsequent killings. The sadness of the evening was coupled with anger of over a push for the killers to be brought to justice as well as sense of disappointment at a lack of response by the United States.
"Their lives were snuffed out but their memory never will be, we won't allow that," said Rabbi Michael Miller, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, stressing that, "innocent boys were kidnapped and brutally murdered."
Organized by the Council of Jewish Organizations for Staten Island (COJO), the gathering was originally to be one of hope, noted Scott Kalmikoff, associate executive director of COJO. Instead, it quickly turned to one of tragedy and remembrance after it was learned this afternoon that the boys had been murdered.
"It's an important rally," said Rabbi Kalmikoff, noting, "Those boys are our boys, they are our sons and brothers and it's important for us to come out to show our support and honor their memory because they were innocent boys who did nothing wrong."
Over 200 people attended the early evening event hosted outside the Jewish Community Center in Sea View. Many rabbis and those of the Jewish faith were in attendance. In addition, politicians, Democrat as well as Republican, came out to show their support. Three votive candles in blue and white bearing the Star of David stood at a center table in recognition of the three lives lost. Several prayers and psalms were read in Hebrew and English and songs were sung in their honor.
The three boys, Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Fraenkel, a 16-year-old with dual Israeli-American citizenship, disappeared while hitchhiking home near the West Bank city of Hebron late at night on June 12 and had not been seen or heard from since. Hitchhiking is common practice among Israelis traveling in and out of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, despite obvious dangers connected to it. Their disappearance kicked off a desperate search for the young men. Israel has accused Hamas militants of allegedly abducting the boys.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Hamas militant group will pay a heavy price for the deaths of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped in the West Bank, according to a report published by the AP.
Andrew Gross, the political advisor to Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York, noted for 18 days people hoped and prayed for the boys' return.
"Tragically today we learn with horror that they will not be returning home. These children were murdered in cold blood by Hamas terrorists. Not only Israelis but Jewish people in New York and around the world will go to sleep with heavy hearts tonight."
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) also spoke asking why the boys were killed.
"For what?" asked Grimm. "They weren't soldiers. They are teenagers. Their hearts aren't filled with hate, yet they were savagely abducted and killed."
Grimm called for everyone to "wake up and realize what is happening."
He added this incident, "symbolized the threat that Israel faces every single day and as Israel faces this threat so does the entire western world."
"And this is what happens when the U.S. does not have a foreign policy and we continuously show weaknes. We embolden our enemies," he added.
Rabbi Kalmikoff noted many in the community feel, "the U.S government didn't speak up the way it should have, especially since one of the boys was a United States citizen. We wanted to hear more from our government and our elected officials. We wanted them to speak up."
Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) said that despite the loss, "There is still innocence and those three boys represent that innocence and you'll never forget what they now stand for: The innocence that still exists in the world."
Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO, said in the face of tragedy the Jewish response is to be silent and accept what happened, "but also plan for the future and make certain such tragedies never happen again."
Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) said in a statement: "These teens were sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews and friends. They were young students with dreams and aspirations. I cannot imagine the grief that their parents must be going through. My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones. I stand in solidarity with other Americans, saddened and outraged at the killing of these three teenagers."
The horrifying discovery put an end to the round-the-clock search for the missing youths as well as coverage by the Israeli media. The mothers of the three teens had been seen making high-profile pleas for their children's return. There were daily prayer vigils, including mass gatherings attended by tens of thousands of people at the Western Wall, the holiest prayer site in Judaism, and in a downtown square in Tel Aviv.
The announcement of the discovery was made by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency. They said the bodies had been buried in a field near the village of Halhul, just north of Hebron. The families have been notified and the bodies are currently undergoing forensic identification.
Published on www.silive.com on July 1, 2014
There was heartbreak all over Staten Island's Jewish community Monday evening after learning that the bodies of three missing Israeli teenagers -- whose disappearance drew worldwide attention -- had been found.
The sadness of the borough's local Jewish community and others who related to those in Israel and worldwide who were heartsick after the June 12 disappearance of the boys from the West Bank and their subsequent killings. The sadness of the evening was coupled with anger of over a push for the killers to be brought to justice as well as sense of disappointment at a lack of response by the United States.
"Their lives were snuffed out but their memory never will be, we won't allow that," said Rabbi Michael Miller, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, stressing that, "innocent boys were kidnapped and brutally murdered."
Organized by the Council of Jewish Organizations for Staten Island (COJO), the gathering was originally to be one of hope, noted Scott Kalmikoff, associate executive director of COJO. Instead, it quickly turned to one of tragedy and remembrance after it was learned this afternoon that the boys had been murdered.
"It's an important rally," said Rabbi Kalmikoff, noting, "Those boys are our boys, they are our sons and brothers and it's important for us to come out to show our support and honor their memory because they were innocent boys who did nothing wrong."
Over 200 people attended the early evening event hosted outside the Jewish Community Center in Sea View. Many rabbis and those of the Jewish faith were in attendance. In addition, politicians, Democrat as well as Republican, came out to show their support. Three votive candles in blue and white bearing the Star of David stood at a center table in recognition of the three lives lost. Several prayers and psalms were read in Hebrew and English and songs were sung in their honor.
The three boys, Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Fraenkel, a 16-year-old with dual Israeli-American citizenship, disappeared while hitchhiking home near the West Bank city of Hebron late at night on June 12 and had not been seen or heard from since. Hitchhiking is common practice among Israelis traveling in and out of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, despite obvious dangers connected to it. Their disappearance kicked off a desperate search for the young men. Israel has accused Hamas militants of allegedly abducting the boys.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Hamas militant group will pay a heavy price for the deaths of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped in the West Bank, according to a report published by the AP.
Andrew Gross, the political advisor to Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York, noted for 18 days people hoped and prayed for the boys' return.
"Tragically today we learn with horror that they will not be returning home. These children were murdered in cold blood by Hamas terrorists. Not only Israelis but Jewish people in New York and around the world will go to sleep with heavy hearts tonight."
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) also spoke asking why the boys were killed.
"For what?" asked Grimm. "They weren't soldiers. They are teenagers. Their hearts aren't filled with hate, yet they were savagely abducted and killed."
Grimm called for everyone to "wake up and realize what is happening."
He added this incident, "symbolized the threat that Israel faces every single day and as Israel faces this threat so does the entire western world."
"And this is what happens when the U.S. does not have a foreign policy and we continuously show weaknes. We embolden our enemies," he added.
Rabbi Kalmikoff noted many in the community feel, "the U.S government didn't speak up the way it should have, especially since one of the boys was a United States citizen. We wanted to hear more from our government and our elected officials. We wanted them to speak up."
Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) said that despite the loss, "There is still innocence and those three boys represent that innocence and you'll never forget what they now stand for: The innocence that still exists in the world."
Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO, said in the face of tragedy the Jewish response is to be silent and accept what happened, "but also plan for the future and make certain such tragedies never happen again."
Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) said in a statement: "These teens were sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews and friends. They were young students with dreams and aspirations. I cannot imagine the grief that their parents must be going through. My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones. I stand in solidarity with other Americans, saddened and outraged at the killing of these three teenagers."
The horrifying discovery put an end to the round-the-clock search for the missing youths as well as coverage by the Israeli media. The mothers of the three teens had been seen making high-profile pleas for their children's return. There were daily prayer vigils, including mass gatherings attended by tens of thousands of people at the Western Wall, the holiest prayer site in Judaism, and in a downtown square in Tel Aviv.
The announcement of the discovery was made by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency. They said the bodies had been buried in a field near the village of Halhul, just north of Hebron. The families have been notified and the bodies are currently undergoing forensic identification.