On Sunday of last week, a beautiful se`udah in honor of the late Reb Leibele Mandelbaum ob"m was held at the premises of Masbia. The meal was arranged by his son Reb Mordechai in commemoration of the first Yortzeit.

Reb Leibele was known by all who knew him for his great tzedaka and chesed works. This trait he has passed on to his offspring in particular to his son Reb Mordechai who is man with a golden heart of his own. Reb Mordechai is a man who together with his dear wife is committed to help his fellow man. So after his father`s passing he was inspired to be the single founder of the now famous "Masbia Soup Kitchen" as an appropriate memorial to his father`s works of Chesed.

"It took a lot of effort just to find a proper place for Masbia" Says Reb Mordechai, "Most owners were frightened about this concept. But B.H. we found a nice place at 4114 - 14 Ave."

Masbia is a combination of new ideas and ancient concepts of Jewish Charity. According to Jewish law, soup Kitchens for the hungry and the needy must be an integral part of every Jewish community, and so it was throughout our history. Masbia has elevated this tradition to conform to the highest form of respect for human dignity.

"This is what is new about our place" says Mr. Mandelbaum, "We spared no expense to make this place more than just decent. We wanted to recreate the ambience of a welcoming eatery. This was done by having the place remodeled and outfitted with beautiful decor such wooden moldings and nice lighting and matching tables and chairs. It’s all a matter of `hidur mitzvah` [=beautifying the mitzvah]. A person who walks in here should not feel like a looser or an outcast, G-d forbid."


After two months the premises was ready and a grand opening celebration was attended by most leading Rabbi`s of the Boro Park Jewish community. Many prominent people, friend of the Mandelbaum family, including Reb Mordechai`s mother; who was overflowed with pride and joy, attended the celebration.

Right on the first day of opening Masbia served 8 clients and the number of clients is growing. Today Masbia serves meals for 120 clients on average on a daily basis. Among those served are `meshilochim` fathers, mothers, and children, old folk and lonely survivors of the holocaust. Nobody is refused, nothing is asked of them, and all meals are free for all comers.

In honor of the first yortzeit the management of Masbia decided to honor the memory of Reb leibele Mandelbaum by having the Yartzait meal celebration at the Masbia premises. Before the meal a beautiful new awning with a dedication of a new name for the premises as "Leb Leieble" was erected and lit up. The lighted awning which is visible from all directions is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his whole life for others.

Many members and friends participated in the beautiful se`udah and reminisced about the Reb Leibele. The main speech was the delivered the by the Rav of the Kaminitz Shull in Boro Park Reb Aaron Glick Shlit"a. He spoke of the great zchus it is to have such a place of chesed dedicated in memory of the niftar.

"Many times I myself have spoken to those who come here for a meal and they can`t bless this place enough. Said Rabbi Glick, "I am also a witness, because I have seen this place in action during serving time, and it warms my heart to see this place of chesed now called `Lev leibele."

"The gemarah says," continued the Rav. "Food is great because it brings people close to one another. The name `lev = heart` means just that; by serving hungry people you are bringing people closer to our heart."

Rav Meir Feldbrand shelit"a, who is a relative of Reb Mordechai concluded with a warm speech in honor of Reb Leibele`s memory. All those who attended left with a warm experience and were inspired by the impressive event.