JCCGCI Passover Food Distribution Benefits More Than 1,000 Needy Brooklynites

Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island’s (JCCGCI) annual Passover food distribution benefitted more than 1,000 low-income Brooklynites (mostly frail elderly, many of whom are Holocaust survivors) seeking traditional Passover food as they prepare for the upcoming holiday.

JCCGCI was proud to ensure that our neediest neighbors are enabled to celebrate Passover with dignity, without enduring the stress and discomfort of being unable to afford basic traditional necessities. Each year, our distribution is expertly coordinated and managed by JCCGCI Special Assistant Sara Chamama, who works diligently to maintain a respectful process for all beneficiaries, including individualized appointments for each indigent beneficiary over the three day period, to avoid the necessity of waiting outdoors in long lines.

Volunteering at the distribution were an array of caring individuals, including Councilmember Ari Kagan, a delegation from the German Consulate in New York, a volunteer from The Conference on Jewish Materials Claims Against Germany (“Claims Conference”), JCCGCI Board of Directors President Irwin Janklowicz, JCCGCI Board Members Olga Fort and Nicole Robinson-Etienne, a group of clients from Makor Care and Services Network, students from Yeshiva University High School for Girls – Central and Barkai Yeshiva, representatives from Constant Care Health Services and Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Excelsior Care Group LLC, as well as many other generous-minded community members.

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, Councilmember Ari Kagan, and Councilmember Inna Vernikov.

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of JCCGCI, said, “Holidays can be expensive even during the best economic times, but during a time when so many families are struggling financially, it is particularly challenging. It is devasting to know that so many of our neighbors cannot make ends meet, but we are gratified to be in a position to help. I have tremendous appreciation for our partners that made this distribution possible, including Met Council CEO David Greenfield, and the New York City Council Brooklyn Delegation, as well as Councilmembers Ari Kagan and Inna Vernikov. JCCGCI is blessed to have Sara Chamama managing our distributions, and a team of volunteers that generously offered their time and effort to assist. May this holiday be a time of joy and reflection for all who are celebrating!”

This food package distribution supplemented JCCGCI’s Passover Food Card program, which benefited 246 low-income families. The Passover Food Card distribution was enabled by Met Council, the Orthodox Union, and hundreds of donations from caring individuals like you.