The annual Passover food distribution hosted by the Chazaq Organization and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty was successfully held this past Tuesday, March 21, at the Lev Aharon Community Food Pantry on 72nd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills. The selfless dedication of these two organizations and their staff and volunteers brings out the best of our community as the Pesach holiday fast approaches. The distribution was once again headed by Aviv Simantov and his devoted helpers.
In attendance for the distribution were members of Chazaq, including CEO Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, Operations Manager Robbie Aboff, and Government Affairs Director Israel Peskowitz. Representing Met Council were Aaron Cyperstein, Managing Director, Legal & External Affairs; and Ben Zaientz, Agency Relations Manager overseeing kosher food distribution to pantries in NYC. Representing elected officials were Pinny Hikind, Jewish liaison to NYC Comptroller Brad Lander; Simon Sebag, Jewish Liaison to NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Pesach Osina, Community Engagement Officer for Jewish Affairs for New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Community Liaison for Jewish Affairs to Congress Member Grace Meng; Adam Suinov, District Director at New York City Council to Council Member James Gennaro; Seth Urbinder, Deputy Chief of Staff to Council Member Lynn Schulman; and Evelyn Gong, Civil Court judge candidate.
By Shabsie Saphirstein