In a powerful show of support, more than 500 elected officials, civic leaders, and dignitaries gathered Sunday morning to recognize Met Council — America’s largest Jewish charity fighting poverty — for its unwavering commitment to serving New Yorkers in need. Held at Cipriani 42nd Street just before the Salute to Israel Parade, the event also drew relatives of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, underscoring the moment’s emotional and geopolitical weight. The gathering reflected the depth of support for Met Council’s mission, with speakers and honorees including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Representatives Yvette Clarke, Dan Goldman, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, and Jerrold Nadler, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Also in attendance were NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and borough presidents Mark Levine of Manhattan, Vanessa Gibson of the Bronx, and Donovan Richards of Queens. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz joined the event, as did mayoral hopefuls including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and former Assemblyman Michael Blake. Met Council CEO David G. Greenfield addressed the crowd by reflecting on the recent Jewish holiday of Lag Ba’Omer and the timeless lesson of Rabbi Akiva: that it is not enough to treat others with respect — one must love them deeply. “At Met Council, that love is expressed through action: feeding the hungry, housing the vulnerable, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and standing by our seniors,” Greenfield said. “And we are able to do this because of the continued support of our partners in government and the community.” Over the past year, Met Council provided emergency food to more than 325,000 New Yorkers each month through its citywide pantry network and distributed fresh food to over 358,000 people for Passover. The organization helped families across all five boroughs access more than $19.5 million in SNAP benefits, while its diaper bank delivered over 15,000 cases of diapers and wipes to families with young children. Its Senior Services team performed 1,857 free home repairs for older adults and supported 2,030 Holocaust survivors. Met Council’s domestic violence program assisted more than 1,007 clients in crisis, offering them safety, legal services, and emotional support. Greenfield emphasized that while Met Council is rooted in the Jewish community, its reach and compassion extend far beyond it. In fact, Met Council serves more Latinos, African Americans, and Muslims than any other Jewish charity in America. “This is our purpose,” he said. “We don’t ask people where they come from before we help them — we ask them what they need.” The event also honored public servants and community partners who have helped Met Council expand its lifesaving work. Among those recognized were Congressman Dan Goldman; Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli; State Senator Andrew Gounardes; Assemblymembers Sam Berger, William Colton, and Catalina Cruz; and Council Members Joann Ariola, Sandra Ung, Amanda Farías, Julie Menin, and Susan Zhuang. The organization also paid tribute to COJO of Staten Island President Mendy Mirocznik and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP attorneys Yehuda Buckweitz, Pejman Razavilar, and Shai Berman for their extraordinary support and partnership. As the crowd prepared to march in the Salute to Israel Parade, the […]