Community Food Distribution and Righteousness Actions Honor the Memory of Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon Mother and Father

On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan in New Springville, the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations in partnership with Project Hospitality and the NYPD dedicated its food distribution honoring the memory of Meta and Thomas L. McMahon, “Opa & Oma” beloved parents of Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon

Meta McMahon and her husband, Thomas, were the matriarch and patriarch of a prominent Staten Island family that was comprised of six children, 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon died within weeks of one another at the end of last year.

“The food distribution that included a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, in addition to packaged and canned goods, poultry, and all necessary staples has been an ongoing project thorough the course of the pandemic. Initially it began as an important community service because of the pandemic. Now as we are emerging from the pandemic the issue of soaring inflation and food insecurity have compounded the reality in which many people find themselves in and has made this food pantry also more important. To this end, I thank Terry Troia, the president of Project Hospitality and Gloria Novoa, director of volunteers at Project Hospitality as great partners in this important community service. Terry truly understands the importance of reaching out to as many people as possible. Her wisdom and understanding have helped us navigate the rocky journey throughout the pandemic. It is a pleasure and honor to see how Scott Maurer, COJO CEO and executive vice-president and Iva Reuven, COJO service committee chairwoman and their dedicated team of hardworking volunteers interact so well with the objective of helping as many as they can. They do this with little to no fanfare. As severe as the pandemic was, the humanity of these great people has shown us the good side of people that we all aspire to be.

We at COJO thank Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Spiritual Leader and President Oshri Reuven and the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island for being the synagogue with the big heart that truly cares about the people of Staten Island. Thank you for being the great host and great supporter that you as a Synagogue family are. COJO could not do this without you and we appreciate, value and cherish our friendship.

We also must take mention and thank the NYPD, Inspector Bruce Ceparano, commanding officer of Pct. 121, Inspector Timothy Wilson, commanding officer of Pct. 122 who together with their great officers, Sgt. Charles Kosa, Pct. 121, Officer James Taylor, Pct. 121, Officer John Sibal, Community Affairs, Pct. 121, Officer Sean Mondello, Community Affairs, Pct. 121, Officer William Defazio, Community Affairs, Pct. 122, and Officer George Aguilar, Community Affairs, Pct. 122, who together with Ari Weiss, COJO Security Chairman and Coordinator of Staten Island Shomrim who came tonight as they have done on nearly all previous food distributions and  helped with traffic control, packing and the distribution of the food packages. 

Special thank you to Carina Vizhnay from Empire BlueCross BlueShield for your dedication to COJO and for all the help you gave in making the food distribution the success that it was.

Tonight, we celebrate the memory of  Meta and Thomas L. McMahon, “Opa & Oma” beloved parents of Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. The McMahon family truly has contributed a wealth of service to the fabric of Staten Island. Their great contributions have made Staten Island what it is today, a great place to live. District Attorney Michel McMahon has continued the family’s tradition of excellence and Staten Islanders are proud of his rich and ongoing public service for the people of Staten Island,” so said, Mendy Mirocznik, president, COJO.   

District Attorney McMahon  remarked, “how proud I am to be joined by dozens of volunteers, members of the Staten Island Hate Crime Task Force in the distribution of food packages. These families not only received groceries but shirts, badges and other campaign materials from our SILOVE initiative. After kicking off “Rise Above with SILOVE” we are doing everything in our power to combat hate in our borough and I know that my parents are smiling down on us as we work to stamp out hate and intolerance wherever it rears its ugly head. 

Special thanks to COJO, Project Hospitality and the NYPD in making the thoughtful grocery distribution in loving memory of my parents, and for their perpetual commitment to selflessness, compassion, and love over hate. Tonight, I felt like I  was standing in the presence of the great harmonic band leader and listening to the orchestra of the diverse voices of the human race singing in sink the great song of harmony, love and unity which is part of Staten Islanders Against Hate, SI Love an important project spearheaded by the Staten Islanders who have banded together to eradicating Antisemitism, Racism, Bigotry, Intolerance and hate. Tonight, truly is special not just for me but for all the people who call Staten Island home. Thank you, COJO, Project Hospitality and the NYPD. Keep up the great work.”