Menorah Lighting at Staten Island Borough Hall Lights up the Chanukah for the 50th Time with Feelings of Hope and Optimism

Staten Island, New York, Borough President Vito Fossella gathered with members of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island - COJO and a host of elected officials to light the menorah at Borough Hall on Wednesday --- the fourth night of Hanukkah. Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO and Scott Maurer, CEO and Executive Vice-President of COJO emceed the Menorah Lighting. This year is special and significant as it marks the 50th Year that the Menorah was lit at Borough Hall in celebration of Chanukah.

The highlight of the evening was the children of the Jewish Foundation School of Staten Island who performed at the Menorah Lighting. 

“Rabbi Wasser, Mrs. Ruth Garber and Mrs. Iva Tull Reuven we want you to know that your run a great School and COJO respects your leadership and is crazy over your great students who are the pride of Staten Island. You at the Jewish Foundation School truly are molding the next generation of great leaders,” So remarked, Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO.

“Listening to these young people sing, not only the national anthem of the United States, reminds us of how wonderful our future is and how we come together as all faiths to celebrate,” Borough President Fossella said. “When times are tough and when things are down, we know we have our faith to pull us through. I wish you nothing but joy and happiness in the season ahead.”

District Attorney Michael McMahon thanked the NYPD and the Hate Crimes Task Force for their vigilance in stemming the tide of anti-Semitic crimes.

“It was the light of oil lamps that led the way for Jews who fought against evil thousands of years ago,” he said. “It’s the light we see in the faces of these wonderful students. It’s the light we see all around as we bring the year to a close. We join together in love -- and it is that love that will help us fight against hate.”

Prior to the lighting of the menorah, Mendy Mirocznik and Scott Maurer presented to Borough President Fossella a Citation of Honor thanking him for his uplifting service and accomplishments he made for Staten Island during the tenure of his first year in office as our Borough President. Mirocznik stated, “that Borough President Fossella assumed office during perhaps one of the most difficult times in recent memory. However, thanks to his acumen and loving heart Staten Island is full of optimism and hope and we at COJO appreciate his herculean efforts made during these trying times. These efforts have given us the resilience and this I boldly state is propelling us with the energy that is helping us a s borough to transition to a brighter tomorrow. We present to you this Citation as a small token of our appreciation. We assuredly know that history will testify to the full magnitude of your accomplishments and we have  great deal of appreciation for that opportunity at a healthy and bright future,” so remarked Mirocznik.  

 Rabbi Abraham Biderman of Congregation Oorah said in his remarks prior to the Menorah Lighting that the message of the candles should be celebrated all year, not just during the eight days of Chanukkah.

“Stop, pause, and contemplate the miracles around us every day,” he said. “Those candles are our souls. Take a few minutes to nourish your soul and feed your spirit every day.”

Mirocznik thanked and acknowledged the following elected officials and prominent community leaders who were in attendance at the Menorah Lighting, Attorney General Latasha James, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, District Attorney Michael McMahon, Councilman Joe Borelli, Councilman David Carr, Edwina Martin, Richmond County Public Administrator, Gideon Taylor, Executive Vice-President, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Sandy Antignas, Board Member, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Rachel Amar, Senior Advisor to the OATH Commissioner, Orit Lender, Executive Director, Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Cara Buonincontri, representing, Congress Member Nicole Malliotakis, Thomas Scarangello, representing, Governor Kathy Hochu as well as Dennis Quirk, President of the New York State Court  Officers Association.

Mirocznik also recognized and thanked the following NYPD brass were also in attendance, NYPD Department Chaplain Tahir Kukaj, Chief Gin Yee, Staten Island Borough Commander, Chief Terence Hurson, Executive Officer, Patrol Borough Staten Island, Captain Eric Waldhelm, Commanding Officer, Pct. 121, Inspector Andrey Smirnov, Commanding Officer, Pct. 123, Captain Bailey Goon, Staten Island Ferry Command, and Captain Ron Perez, Executive Officer, Pct. 120. “We at COJO want you to know that we value our friendship and partnership with the NYPD and we look forward to our continued collaboration as a community partner in improving the quality of life for Staten Island. We truly are pleased how well Ari Weiss, Security Chairman and Coordinator of Staten Island Shomrim interacts with the NYPD in helping to bring strong community trust and confidence with the NYPD,” so quipped Mirocznik.   

Borough President Fosella lit the Shames candle, and Rabbi Abraham Biderman, Congregation Oorah, Rabbi Yochanan Ivry, Congregation Toras Emes, Rabbi Yaakov Wasser, Jewish Foundation School, and Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan officiated the blessings and the lighting of the Menorah. “This truly was a magnificent sight full of love, unity and warmth and a true credit to Borough President Fosella who truly leads by example,” so said Scott Maurer. 

Maurer continued, “This Menorah Lighting truly was a special and meaningful event for COJO. Especially that this year marks the 50th consecutive year that COJO was privileged to light the Menorah at Borough Hall. Words cannot sufficiently or adequately thank our highly respected Borough President Vito J. Fossella for his kindness, care and friendship. You truly lead by example and you are making a difference for the residents of our hometown and borough.” 

Mirocznik concluded by thanking Empire BlueCross and BlueShield Health Plus and Carina Vizhany, Community Events Coordinator for, “their generous sponsorship and goodie bags that truly enhanced the festivities. Carina you truly understand community needs and COJO is honored to have you as a valuable part of our Service Committee family.”