Bensonhurst Council of Jewish Organizations (Bensonhurst COJO) is a community-based organization that provides services to all who come through our doors. Our clients are primarily made up of the elderly (more than 80%), and refugees and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union.

Advocacy
The staff at Bensonhurst COJO is dedicated to helping neighborhood residents, including new immigrants, the elderly, and others in need obtain services and benefits through a variety of programs. In collaboration with government agencies, charitable organizations, and others we work at resolving a wide range of problems, including housing, food, clothing and furniture.

Employment Services – Assistance in obtaining a job for immigrants in the United States less than 5 years. Services include: resume preparation, cultural adjustment, letter writing, interview preparation, and referrals to Dress for Success programs. For more information, contact Mrs. Bella Galitskaya, Job Developer, at (718) 333-2010.

Employers seeking qualified candidates for vacant positions can contact Mrs. Bella Galitskaya, Job Developer, at (718) 333-2010 for appropriate referrals.

• BRIA – Job placements for those requesting assistance who are in the US from 1-3 years

• Camp Scholarship for Bensonhurst Children – Bensonhurst COJO and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty provide respite for troubled families through scholarships for camp tuition. A limited amount of scholarships are available. All applications must be received before May 1. Call (718) 333-1834 to apply.

• Citizenship and ESL classes Classes for for immigrants from the Former Soviet Union

• TAG – Job placements for those requesting assistance who are in the US up to 5 years

• Emergency F.E.M.A. Funds and Crisis Intervention – emergency money for necessary products and rent through Met Council and referral to appropriate agency for assistance

• Food Pantry – every month food hundreds of packages are distributed

• Food Vouchers – (when available) funds to be used at Associated Food Stores

• Machson Mobile – clothing - by appointment

• Project Machson – Project Machson is a Warehouse Distribution Program providing furniture, clothing and toys to the homeless, new immigrants and those with emergency crisis situations. Call (718) 333-1834 to schedule an appointment.

• Hebrew Free Burial – Assistance obtaining burial services at low cost.

• Hebrew Free Loan – Assistance obtaining loans.

• Housing Assistance – Assistance completing application forms for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemptions (SCRIE), City Housing, Section 8, Senior Citizen Houses, locating affordable housing. Mediate between Landlord and tenant to resolve any problems with rent, eviction, and repairs.

• Social Services – Assistance obtaining government benefits and entitlements, including Public Assistance, Social Security, Food Stamps and Medicaid. Interface with city agencies to resolve issues of dispute or conflict, translation services, assistance with paying bills, work with the immigrants agency NYANA, any Holocaust related claims and more…

• Voter Registration - assistance in filling the form necessary to register to vote Call (718) 333 1834 for help or for any other questions you may have.

BRIA and TAG EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
EMPLOYEES
We have a staff dedicated to helping new immigrants, who are in the United States less than 5 years obtain a job. This includes resume preparation, cultural adjustment, letter writing, interview preparation, referrals to “dress for success programs”. Employers are contacted, and appointments made. Contact Mrs. Bella Galitskaya, Job Developer, at (718) 333-2010 for assistance in finding a job.

EMPLOYERS
If you are an employer seeking qualified candidates for vacant positions please contact Mrs. Bella Galitskaya, Job Developer, at (718) 333-2010.

Camp Scholarships for Bensonhurst Children
Bensonhurst COJO through Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty can help find funds for children from poor homes for summer camp. Limited Scholarships available. The application must be submitted before May 1. Call our office at (718) 333-1834 to apply.

Citizenship and ESL classes
FEGS of Brooklyn runs classes from immigrants from the former Soviet Union once a week. To inquire about classes call Maria Kogan at (718) 336-2836 ext. 333.

Emergency FEMA Help
Bensonhurst COJO can assist in obtaining FEMA Emergency Help for needy individuals and families for necessities and rent through Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty

Crisis Intervention - Services designed both to address immediate crises and also to lay the foundation for longer-term self-sufficiency. Client present with a host of crises-related problems including homelessness, eviction, loss of benefits, medical emergencies, crime victimization, immigration problems, and domestic violence. Clients are provided information and referrals, financial assistance, emergency food, emergency shelter, rental assistance, clothing and furniture assistance, employment assistance, entitlement counseling, short-term counseling, and ongoing support. Victims of domestic violence are provided with short-term supportive therapy, referral for longer-term therapy, emergency shelter, employment assistance, assistance in obtaining an order of protection, and other legal assistance. This program is designed to offer both immediate aid to these clients in need and help in planning for long-term solutions.

Food Program
These services include direct food assistance through food packages containing a nutritionally balanced group of staples as well as food vouchers that are redeemable at Associated Food Stores. Call (718) 333-1834 for more information.

Housing Assistance

• Provide information and referral to city, state, and federal agencies and charities
• Apartment referral, locating affordable housing
• Tenant/ landlord relations. Mediate between landlord and tenant to resolve any problems with rent, eviction, and repairs.
• Completing forms for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemptions (SCRIE), City Housing, Section 8, Senior Citizen Houses (SCRIE)

SCRIE
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program provides exemption from rent increases to New York City tenants:

• who were 62 years of age or older when their current rent increase took effect;
• who live in a rent regulated apartment or hotel
• whose annual house income is $24,000 or less
• whose rent has been or will be increased and represents more than one-third (1/3) of the total household income

Tenants who live in a Public Housing Authority Project or receive Section 8 rental subsidies do not qualify for SCRIE benefits.

If you live in a Mitchell-Lama building, call the Department of Housing Preservation and Development at 212 863 8494.

Call Executive Director, Shirley Fineman at (718) 333-1834 for assistance in freezing the rent, re-certifying for SCRIE, or to obtain a re-determination after the death of a spouse.

Voter Registration
We urge all members of the community, young and old, old residents and new immigrants who are eligible, to register to vote. Voting helps our community by giving Bensonhurst a presence within the political scene and allows us to advocate on behalf of our members. Once you have registered to vote it is really imperative to exercise that ability and VOTE. You can come in to register in our offices at 8635 21st Avenue, Apt.1B, Brooklyn, New York. 11214. We will help you complete the form if necessary. Call (718) 333 1834 for help or for any other questions you may have.

Community Events
Bensonhurst COJO sponsors community Sedarim for the Passover holidays, serving people in the community and surrounding areas. We inform the community on all community and Jewish Holiday events.