Borough Park, Brooklyn NY – It’s a scene Alexander Rapaport has observed far too often on his way to the Borough Park soup kitchen he runs – elderly Hasidic men or neatly-dressed Hasidic women going through garbage bins searching for food.
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“Just this morning, I saw a very old man with a plastic bag going through the garbage,” said Rapaport, who is in charge of Masbia, a public kitchen serving hot, kosher dinners Sundays through Thursdays.
“As I tried to catch up with the man to tell him he didn’t have to do that, I ran into someone who recognized him and said he would help,” Rapaport said.
The close-knit religious community is one where the wealthy, the middle class and the poor all live together within walking distance of over 200 synagogues.
“The people who have resources are enthusiastic in trying to help their neighbors,” Rapaport said. But emergency-service providers say they are feeling the pinch for several reasons. Read extended article. [nydailynews]
Anon of 12:05am: I don’t believe your claim that 90% of halls throw this food out. You don’t say where you got this figure, and I think you’re making it up. Once food has left the kitchen it can’t be given to anyone else; the Health Department would close them down immediately. Whatever is left on the tables has to be thrown out. But food that remains in the kitchen can and is donated, and as far as I know that is done by all kosher caterers.
2)Just close your eyes [and Daven!]
Smell and people knocking into U cam make u crazy.
1)Anon. 12:05 AM; 2)9:43AM
1)Did you ever hear of “SHEAIRIS HAPLATE” in Monsey?
2)Just close your eyes [and Daven!]
Shomer Shabbos is a great place foe everything, Moshe Metzger, Hillel and the crew are Tzadickim,
The only think I find difficult is to Davven there, too many distractions.
We should not even need a MASBIA.
The Bal tashchis that goes on after a wedding, bar mitzvah, chinese auction and everyday life in Boro Park makes me sick.
Some caterers at least give the left overs to yeshivas but 90% of halls throw out food that can feed ALL people that go hungry in our city.
We should demand that “left over” food goes to POOR PEOPLE AND PEOPLE that are in NEED and nobody else. (provided that the food is in sanitary and fresh AND has a hasgocha)
Anon. 5:23PM We (meaning Klal Yisroel) need to have several branches, just like a Bank.
Shomer (Shomrei) Shabbos is more like [a Yiddishe] United Nations.
Again, what is this with the “jobs lost?” The economy is booming. The elderly, I can see, of course, if they have no one to take care of them. But families with two able parents?
Maybe they should merge w/Shomer Shabbos Shul, sounds like same clientel.
As someone who works in the area, I have an opportunity to observe the “Clientele”. There certainly is
no greater Mitzvah than to help keep this organization running.
p.s.: Not only “chassidic”, lonely men go there to have their meals.
People from all walks of life stop by, and they’re treated with respect, in addition to the wholesome meals that they receive.
Mi k’amcha Yisroel!