April 1, 2014 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer today visited several Jewish community-based organizations within the Borough Park section of Brooklyn as preparations were underway for the upcoming Passover holiday. In the spirit of Passover, which celebrates the triumph of freedom over slavery, Comptroller Stringer wanted to visit and thank local community-based organizations that are making a difference in the lives of others. 

犹太人逾越节 纽约一厨房准备特殊食物April 1, 2014 By Holly KellumNEW YORK–Masbia Soup Kitchen in New York City is preparing for the Jewish holiday Passover by handing out emergency food packages of kosher Passover food.Last year Masbia handed out just under 1,000 Passover food packages. This year they are set to hand out 2,500.

April 1, 2014 By Alyssa Klimek The New York Apple Association, Fishers, and New York Apple Sales, Castleton, N.Y., are donating apples to ensure that families can make charoset for Passover Seder this year.Charoset is a traditional food served during Seder, the evening ritual that observes the beginning of Passover. Charoset is a made of sweetened fruits, nuts and spices.

Posted April 1 2014by New York Apple Association, Inc.Fishers, N.Y. – New York apple growers are helping to ensure that 2,500 local families facing hunger have apples to make charoset for Passover Seder this year. The New York Apple Association, Inc. (NYAA) is donating more than 3,000 pounds of apples to Masbia, the New York-based nonprofit kosher soup kitchen and food pantry. New York Apple Sales, Inc., headquartered in Castleton, is donating another 3,000+ pounds of New York state apples. Masbia staff and volunteers will parcel the apples with other charoset ingredients into take-home kits for 2,500 client families.

Monday, March 31, 2014By JP NewsroomJust in time for Passover, Masbia Soup Kitchen Network announced Monday morning a toll-free number for kosher-for-Passover food packages in response to increased demand from New Yorkers in need. Including seder staples, such as eggs, chicken, apples, walnuts, almonds, potatoes and more, the special packages will be available in Boro Park, Flatbush/Midwood, Rego Park and Manhattan on Thursday, April 10.“Families already have difficulty being able to put enough food on the table for daily meals, the added strain of Passover and children being home from school may be too much for many,” stated Alexander Rapaport, Executive Director of Masbia Soup Kitchen Network. “Masbia’s annual Passover food package distribution and Charoset Drive was created to help those families in need that want to celebrate a complete Pesach seder, while supplying enough food to last beyond the seder for the entire the Passover holiday.”

Monday, March 31, 2014By Mitch SternNew York - Masbia Soup Kitchen Network has announced a toll-free number for kosher-for-Passover food packages for NYC residents in need.Those in need of a kosher-for-Passover food package can call 1-855-PESACH-FOOD 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 4 and Monday, April 7 to register. Callers will receive a confirmation number and distribution location.

While stove gas is off, tenants must cope for an estimated 60 daysMarch 27, 2014By Liz Rhoades Residents living in the four Pomonok Houses buildings without cooking gas got an unexpected surprise when a Brooklyn van pulled up last week with a hot meal for all.Up to 1,000 residents in 259 apartments had their stoves turned off two weeks ago after a defective gas line was discovered. Tenants were given two-burner hot plates by the New York City Housing Authority, which runs the 35-building complex in Flushing.Monica Corbett, president of the Pomonok Residents Association, said a Masbia van served a full meal, both kosher and non-kosher. “It was well-balanced and delicious,” Corbett said, “and all free.”

March 23 2014By TOBIAS SALINGER The gas may be out, but at least they’re not starving.Queens soup kitchen Masbia is giving a ladle up to the New York City Housing Authority residents who lost their gas at the Pomonok Houses in Flushing earlier this month.Teams of volunteers will serve free meals to all comers every Wednesday at the crumbling NYCHA development’s community center after tenants and NYCHA officials cried out for help.

March 20, 2014By ALLISON JOSEPHS On the way to a speaking engagement in New Orleans this week, I found myself seated next to a woman with pink hair and lots of tattoos and piercings. We got to talking along the way. (I have this thing for speaking to people that end up next to me on planes as I believe our seat assignment is pre-ordained so that we can learn something from one another. Also, I’m just generally chatty!)This time was no different: I found out that this woman lives in Brooklyn, right on the edge of the Hasidic community. From the alternative way that she was dressed, my guess was that she was one of those open-minded, accepting-of-all-types kind of gals. Yet when the topic of Hasidim came up, she straight out told me, “If I see a Hasidic man on the street, I’ll cross over to the other side to get away.” She explained, “I know it sounds racist, but I’m just scared of them.”

Posted March 17, 2014By Veronique Greenwood and Jacob Templin for NationSwell This article was originally published by NationSwell, a website dedicated to sharing the stories of innovative Americans who are working to effect social change and move the country forward.Fresh, locally sourced food? Check. Art on the walls? Check. Helping New York`s hungry? Check.The phrase “soup kitchen” doesn’t exactly ooze comfort. Getting meals to the homeless or hungry is usually a bare-bones affair, involving the most inexpensive food and all the ambiance of a basement cafeteria.