Elected officials and community dignitaries salute America’s largest Jewish anti-poverty charity as it supports New Yorkers of all backgrounds, and families of Israeli hostages, on the eve of the Salute to Israel Parade.
With more than 500 leaders in attendance, Met Council’s impact was celebrated as essential and urgent, reflecting unity, compassion, and hope for New York’s most vulnerable. (Photo: Courtesy.)
In a powerful display of unity and compassion, more than 500 elected officials, civic leaders, and dignitaries gathered Sunday morning at Cipriani 42nd Street to honor Met Council, America’s largest Jewish charity fighting poverty, for its unwavering commitment to serving New Yorkers in need. The event, held just before the Salute to Israel Parade, also drew relatives of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, giving the gathering both emotional and geopolitical resonance.
The morning’s program reflected the breadth of support for Met Council’s mission. Among the speakers and honorees were U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Representatives Yvette Clarke, Dan Goldman, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, and Jerrold Nadler, as well as New York State Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, borough presidents, district attorneys, and mayoral hopefuls also lent their voices to the cause.
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 true love for others is shown through action. “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 has 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 has 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 nearly 2,000 free home repairs for older adults and supported more than 2,000 Holocaust survivors. The domestic violence program assisted over 1,000 clients in crisis, offering safety, legal services, and emotional support.
Greenfield emphasized that while Met Council is rooted in the Jewish community, its reach extends far beyond. “Met Council serves more Latinos, African Americans, and Muslims than any other Jewish charity in America. We don’t ask people where they come from before we help them, we ask them what they need,” he said.
The event also honored public servants and community partners who have helped Met Council expand its lifesaving work, including Congressman Dan Goldman, State Comptroller DiNapoli, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, several Assemblymembers and Council Members, as well as COJO of Staten Island President Mendy Mirocznik and attorneys from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
As the crowd prepared to march in the Salute to Israel Parade, the message was clear: Met Council’s work is not only urgent, it is essential. With the continued support of public officials, community leaders, and thousands of New Yorkers, Met Council’s mission of compassion and action will go on, changing lives and strengthening the city for all.