COJO Supports and Stands in Solitarily With the NYPD

In wake of the recent rash of senseless violence against the NYPD and all law-abiding peaceful residence of the City of New York, the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) engaged in actions of support, good deeds and standing in solidarity with the NYPD. 

“What disturbed us the most was how Jason Rivera a 22-year-old NYPD Officer and Wilbert Mora, a 27-year-old NYPD Officer lost their young lives while responding to a domestic violence call at 135th street in New York City,” commented Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO. 

“However, complaining and feeling upset over the tragic situation does not resolve the problems we face as a city. It is only through positive actions and constructive solutions can we resolve the difficulties the NYPD and the City is facing. That is why after consulting with Terry Troia, President, Project Hospitality; Gloria Nova, Director of Volunteers, Project Hospitality; Scott Maurer, CEO and Executive Vice-President, COJO; Iva Reuven, Service Committee Chairperson, COJO, and Ari Weiss, COJO Security Chairman and Coordinator, Staten Island Shomrim we decided that we must take affirmative steps with a two-fold purpose. 1) to engage in positive actions to help make us better people and transform the world around us; and 2) to educate the public that above anything else that we as a society must learn to respect law enforcement and to appreciate all the good they do for the City of New York especially during the pandemic. Thanks to our great police department who stood with the city thick and thin during the dreary dark days of Covid we have the stamina and energy to pull out of the tough times and will optimistically transition to a healthy world. But, for the city to be successful, we cannot do it without the NYPD and therefore let us learn to respect their service and appreciate their valiant heroic effort. If we respect the NYPD and value their service and appreciate their dedication and efforts then hopefully we as a society will secure them and will avert further tragedy.”     

To accomplish this, COJO dedicated its February 2, 2022 food distribution at the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan in honor of the memory of now Detective First Grade Jason Rivera and Detective First Grade Wilbert Mora. “Tonight, as we improve the world by engaging in good deeds allow it to be as a fitting tribute in memory of these great police officers who selflessly fell in the line of duty caring about one thing public safety and the well-being of their fellow New Yorkers above their own personal safety. We honor their memory by helping a stranger, friend, family, or a neighbor through this important food distribution. Allow us to engage in helpful acts of kindness, allow us to engage the public in a meaningful way as these two great police officers did and may their memory be a blessing for all,” commented Iva Reuven. 

To cap it off, on Thursday, February 3, 2022, COJO joined Pct. 122 located in the New Dorp section of Staten Island for their afternoon roll call. “It is more than the scrumptious lunch donated by Scott Maurer or the warm remarks made by Mendy Mirocznik, Ari Weiss, and Iva Reuven,  it was all about the outpouring of respect, support and love shown to the NYPD by COJO and its leadership team. It is refreshing that respect is back in the conversation thanks to COJO. Thank you, Mendy, Scott, Ari, and Iva for being there for the NYPD and our police family during our time of need. It is thanks to great civic organizations and community support from groups such as COJO that the NYPD is able to cope and rise above these tough challenges. Together as cooperating partners we will succeed,” so remarked, Inspector Timothy Wilson, commanding officer, Pct.122.”