Asm. Pirozzolo Announces $75K Grant To JCC For Much-Needed Kosher Kitchen Upgrades

ASSEMBLYMAN SAM PIROZZOLO ANNOUNCES $75,000 GRANT TO THE JOAN & ALAN BERNIKOW JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

On Friday, November 10, 2023, Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island) announced the allocation of a $75,000 grant for the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center (JCC), secured as part of the 2023-2024 New York State Budget.

The grant, awarded through the State and Municipal Facilities Program, will be used to upgrade the Kosher Kitchen located at the JCC Bernikow Building – 1455 Manor Road. The revamp will allow the JCC to streamline and improve its dining services, supporting the mission of the JCC and community members. The grant will be administered through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

“The JCC is a cornerstone of the Staten Island community and a pivotal partner in providing opportunities, engagement, and assistance to all Staten Islanders” said Assemblyman Pirozzolo. “The work these talented and dedicated professionals do daily is palpable, and I could not be more excited to fund this project.”

JCC CEO Orit Lender said, “This funding will help us make much-needed upgrades to our Kosher kitchen in the Bernikow Building. These upgrades will ensure that our kitchen is able to produce high-quality Kosher food for all members of our community. Every year, thousands of people eat food at our cafe and catered events on-site. We want to make sure we continue to meet the highest standards of Kashruth to be inclusive to all Jews in our community. We are incredibly grateful to Assembly Member Pirozzolo for his unwavering support of the JCC and the Jewish community!”

Banner Image: Asm. Pirozzolo Presents grant to JCC. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo

Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo

Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.