The Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel occurred several thousand miles away. But the impact has been felt by Jewish communities worldwide, with antisemitism skyrocketing in the United States.
In Staten Island, New York, an Israeli flag was stolen from a synagogue’s flagpole. A man was attacked with a bat. Fervent anti-Israel protests have rocked high school and college campuses, and have even descended upon the Young Israel of Staten Island.
Strongly believing these developments necessitate a powerful response, the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO) has worked since Oct. 7 to make sure the Jewish voice is heard, antisemitic and anti-Zionist slander are rejected, and students and synagogue congregants are safe.
Joe Harris founded COJO in 1967, in the aftermath of the Six-Day War. “Everybody was running in their own direction to do something for Israel,” he said. “There was no unified approach.” COJO strives to achieve achdus — unity — by serving as a convener for various Jewish organizations across Staten Island, and as a vehicle for collaboration in the Jewish community. COJO’s mission became all the more essential after Oct. 7.
COJO organized the Staten Island Rally in Support of Israel in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, which saw a diverse crowd united in their support for the Jewish state. COJO also coordinated trips to Washington, D.C. for the March for Israel and the Stand Together rally a year later, and collaborated with the Young Israel of Staten Island to hold a Unity and Love Israel Gathering in response to a planned anti-Israel demonstration outside the synagogue.
When students staged an anti-Israel walkout, COJO held a counter-protest. Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO, noted that the severity of the issue was seen in the fact that a normally non-combative Jewish community came out with force, and this spurred the Board of Education “to react much quicker to a disciplinary complaint than they ever did before.”
In the spirit of achdus, COJO is proud to offer a platform to leaders of all political affiliations who wish to celebrate the Jewish people and speak out against antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric.
The annual Borough Hall menorah lighting ceremony exemplifies COJO’s philosophy. This year, New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, attended, along with Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, a Republican. “We are friends,” James said of their relationship. She emphasized the importance of the non-partisan nature of supporting Israel and the Jewish people, and standing against antisemitism: “That knows no political affiliation — none whatsoever. That knows no race, no gender — nothing.”
COJO’s Oct. 10, 2023 solidarity conference, held in the wake of the horrors of Oct. 7, was a remarkable display of unity and support during this difficult time, with many officeholders on Staten Island attending and speaking. Likewise, when COJO had the 57th Annual Legislative Breakfast, incumbents and challengers amidst the divisive and high-stakes 2024 election proudly expressed their support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
COJO understands that relationships cultivated over time are vital, which is why Mirocznik, as president of COJO, represents the Jewish community at various cultural and civic events across New York City. Mirocznik was even recognized at #50 in “City & State New York’s 2024 Staten Island Power 100” list, which highlights top “movers and shakers” in the borough.
In addition to the many member organizations focused on public safety that COJO supports, COJO believes that local law enforcement is essential and makes sure they are constantly reminded how much the Jewish community values their excellent work. COJO frequently participates in activities with the New York City Police Department, from annual turkey distributions, to holiday toy giveaways, to COJO’s Chodesh Kislev philanthropic initiative.
COJO has also worked extensively since Oct. 7 to combat antisemitism, meeting with Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon, holding a press conference after an antisemitic assault, and hosting a town hall with American Jewish Committee New York regional director Josh Kramer. COJO’s CEO and executive vice president Scott Maurer and McMahon serve as co-chairs of the Staten Island Hate Crimes Task Force.
Antisemitism has been especially pervasive in high school and college environments. COJO sees to it that students and teachers feel safe, and their voices are heard. At the legislative breakfast, three teachers and a student were given a platform to share their experiences with elected officials. COJO collaborated with the Wagner College Holocaust Center for Jewish Heritage Night with the Staten Island FerryHawks. Professor Lori Weintrob, director of the center, notes that the focus of the event was education: “We honored a series of educators as a way to show support to those who had been really battling on the front lines against antisemitism.”
COJO had several meetings with the superintendent for Staten Island schools in District 31, and through the Jewish Culture Club, Mikal Magori, COJO’s ambassador to the school system on Staten Island, works to ensure Jewish students and teachers have a support system and an outlet for Jewish identity and connection.
Magori explains that the “network of support” cultivated by Mirocznik and Maurer “made a huge impact . . . administrators knew that Jewish students had a tough organization behind them and that they were being watched closely.” COJO is moving toward integrating these efforts under a Committee on Jewish Education.
Reflecting on the challenges facing the Jewish people since Oct. 7, and the productive work to resolve them, COJO is sincerely grateful to law enforcement, city officials and community leaders for their devotion, participation and action, which truly help the Jewish community on Staten Island thrive. COJO depends on such unwavering commitment in the quest to defeat hate and bring together Staten Islanders of all backgrounds, to improve all communities.
COJO looks forward to building upon this substantial progress in 2025, and hopes that the coming year will see the return of all the hostages held in Gaza, peace in the Middle East, and even greater empathy for one another.
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