JCCGCI Rosh Hashanah Distribution Enables Hundreds of Brooklynites to Celebrate Holiday in Dignity

Since the holidays ended, the phones at Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) have been ringing with gratitude, as local residents call to express their thanks for a holiday celebrated with dignity.

More than 900 households, totaling more than 1,200 individuals, received Rosh Hashanah holiday food packages during JCCGCI's pre-Rosh Hashanah distribution.

The recipients of these packages were predominantly frail, low-income seniors.

These food packages were enabled by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s “Kosher Food Network” (the largest kosher food network in the country), the Food Bank for New York City, United Way of New York City's HPNAP (Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program) and private donations. Our ability to conduct these distributions has been significantly enhanced by the support of NYC Council and the leadership of the City Council’s Brooklyn Delegation and Councilmember Ari Kagan. 

Assisting JCCGCI staff with the distribution were more than a dozen volunteers, including students from Yeshiva of Flatbush; Rachelle Deutsch-Sauer, founder of HEI: Holocaust Education Initiative; attorney and JCCGCI board member Olga Fort; the President of Amalgamated Warbasse Houses, Michael Silverman; Anna Geller, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Professional Training at Kingsborough Community College; Neighborhood Advisory Board #15 Chair Amber Adler; and staff members from Claims Conference.

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Volunteers, including the President of Amalgamated Warbasse Houses, Michael Silverman, packing boxes for the distribution.

Also joining the distribution were New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Pastor Zac Martin, Director of Faith Community Organizing at the Brooklyn Borough President's office.

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of JCCGCI, thanked the staff and volunteers who made the distribution a success, saying, "As she does every year, JCCGCI Executive Assistant Sara Chamama personally planned, coordinated, and supervised the distribution - to perfection. Assisting Sara were dedicated members of the JCCGCI team: Risa Erps, Zhanna Amirova, Daniella Russ, Chris Edmonds, Tova Chatzinoff-Rosenfeld, and Marcus Lopez. More than 1,200 low-income seniors benefitted from the hard work of our staff, who persevered through inclement weather to ensure that much needed food got into the hands of our community's most disadvantaged. We are grateful as always to our volunteers, as well as our funders and partners."

Distribution Photos

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

Pastor Zac Martin, Director of Faith Community Organizing for the Brooklyn Borough President

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director, pictured with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

Sara Chamama, distribution coordinator

JCCGCI staffer Chris Edmonds assisting at the distribution

Some of the broader JCCGCI team, pictured here with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Some of the broader JCCGCI team, pictured here with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

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