Help Outfit the Masbia of Queens Facility

Published: October 06, 2016

Masbia of Queens is urgently looking to open its new facility and needs your help in order to do so. Currently, we are operating in an abbreviated form out of a van in front of the old location, which is becoming increasingly difficult. With the increase in demand, we need more capacity rather than less. Masbia has been unable to open the new site due to lack of financing. The sooner Masbia raises the necessary funds, the sooner it can open. In order to raise the money for renovations and operational costs, Masbia is offering dedication opportunities. Please see the dedication options in this brochure for sponsorship at various levels, from $25 in monthly installments to $180,000. 

Instructions: Each dedication description is numbered and correlates to the number on the master dedication plaque, which provides a full explanation of how each item will be used by the soup kitchen as well as its biblical source. The campaign invites contributors to participate by conventional donations, installment programs or online via a crowd funding platform, enabling them to invite a larger audience to partake in this incredible mitzvah. For more information please contact Masbia's executive director, Alexander Rapaport at 718-972-4446 x201 or email to [email protected]


Select what you would like to dedicate:

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Location Naming Rights - “Shem Habinyan” $180,000

In addition to being prominently displayed on the dedication wall, you will secure naming rights to appear on the outside of the facility in your honor or in tribute to loved ones.

CLAIMED

Grand Entrance Naming – “Pesach HaOhel” – $54,000

In addition to a prominent spot on the dedication wall, acquire the naming of the main entrance with the chosen name to appear on the outside awning. The title of this dedication pays homage to our patriarch Abraham who stood at the entrance of his tent when he invited the three angels to be his guests. Genesis (18:1).

Dining Room - "Mekarve Ahaneise" $54,000

In addition to a prominent spot on the dedication wall, a plaque will appear in the dining room. In Ketubot (67:2) in the Talmud, it is made clear that providing ready-to-eat food is the highest form of charity, because the satisfaction of the hungry person is immediate. At Masbia, our hot dinner program does exactly that. It feeds hungry men, women and children hot, nutritious ready-to-eat meals. Masbia has gained a reputation based on the incredible dignity we provide in the hot dinner service, dubbed by People Magazine as "a restaurant without a cash register."

Pantry Hall-Cheder Chalukat Motzarei Mazon $54,000

In addition to a prominent spot on the dedication wall, a plaque will appear prominently in the pantry hall. Our Queens pantry program is by far the most utilized service of our entire network, with lines stretching out the door and down the street. Having a 1,500 sq/ft room dedicated to this service only will enable us to not only offer a system where clients can choose the foods they want, but also provides them a dignified and private indoor space to wait.

Repository - Cheder Mile Tov $54,000

In addition to a prominent spot on the dedication wall, a plaque will appear in the repository. Having significant storage space will ensure that we never run out of food. We will have greater ability to buy in bulk, and we’ll have more variety to cater to cultural and dietary needs.

Vessel Containing Blessings – “Kli Machzik Bracha” – $36,000

We will be making the switch to elegant, washable, reusable dinnerware at this new location, creating a greater sense of dignity for our guests, necessitating a large investment of approximately 500 sets of cups, silverware and plates. This dedication, which also includes the dishwashing area, can be inscribed in the dishwashing area and is a play on a final verse of the Mishnah Uktzin (3:12) referring to peace as the only vessel capable of containing blessing.

Cold Storage – “Viotzrosayhem Amalei” – $36,000

Unlike our previous location which had limited cold storage capacity, this new facility will have ample space once we purchase a walk in refrigerator and freezer. Having proper cold storage facilities will enable us to serve even more guests and will be instrumental in the distribution of fresh produce to those who want to take home raw groceries. This dedication can be memorialized on the refrigerator and freezer and is taken from the words of Proverbs (8:21), part of a blessing that God would fill the storehouses, a sign of wealth.

Climate Control – “Ruach HaMakom Noche” – $36,000

Having proper climate control in our facility will allow us to treat our guests with the utmost dignity, providing them with relief during the scorching summer months and a welcome escape from the bone crushing cold of winter. The half hour that our guests spend with us enjoying a nutritious meal may very well be the only time that they spend during the day enjoying a respite from extreme temperatures. This dedication is titled “Ruach HaMakom Noche”, a play on the words of Ethics of our Fathers (3:10).

Seated at Your Table – “Taaroch Lifanei Shulchan” – $18,000 (x10)

The new facility will have ten tables. Contributors will get the privilege of literally hosting guests at their own table, an act of charity known to provide unparalleled merit. The Talmud in Brachos (54­-55) explains that the act of hosting guests is rewarded with longevity because it is the equivalent of bringing a sacrifice to the altar in the times of the holy temple. The Talmud specifies that it is a "person’s table that brings them atonement,” establishing the table itself as an actual vessel of forgiveness, imbuing this sponsorship with special meaning as multiple guests enjoy meals throughout the day. A ceremonial contract will be provided to each table sponsor, formalizing the table as theirs for the duration of this facility. This great opportunity is called “Taaroch Lefanai Shulchan” based on the popular phrase in 23rd Psalm.

5 out of 10 claimed
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Lighting – “Ora V’simcha” - $10,000

Because this new facility had no working light fixtures, we will be installing full lighting. The Talmud in Yuma (84:2) says that a blind person eats but is never fully satiated, further reinforcing the importance of proper lighting as part of a fulfilling meal. This sponsorship takes its name from the well known passage in the book of Esther (8:16).

Flooring - “Ritspas Bahat Vasheish” – $10,000

Another dedication opportunity referencing the book of Esther (1:6) describes the magnificent flooring in the palace of King Achashverosh, underscoring that even centuries ago, flooring was considered to be an important element of a good meal. By installing beautiful tiles, we hope to enhance the ambiance of our dining area, making it even more welcoming to our guests.

Hot Food Display Counter - “L’ais Tachin Matbaiach” – $25,000

Because all of our hot food is delivered in bulk from our main kitchen, we will be installing a beautiful heated display station for this dining room, enabling our waiters to assemble plates for our guests. This serving station will be an island in the middle of the dining room, making it the centerpiece of this location. The dedication can be inscribed on the showcase and is based on the words of the Chanukah song Maoz Tzur.

Mezuzah – “Mezuzos Baisecha” - $3,600 (x6)

This dedication is the sponsorship of the mezuzah scrolls to be placed on the doors of our new facility and takes its name from words in the Torah that call for this holy mitzvah.

3 out of 6 claimed
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Ritual Hand Washing Sink – “Hakiyor Ve’es Kano” - $3,600

The ritual hand washing sink, also known as the netilat-yadayim sink, will be designated for the guests to wash their hands before the meal. Named for the kiyor, the hand washing vessel of the Temple referenced multiple times throughout the book of Exodus, this dedication will be displayed above the sink.

CLAIMED

Masbia Host - “Machnas Orach” - Gold - $2,400

Knowing that many people would like to be part of our holy work feeding the needy throughout the year, we have created a category called “Machnis Orach” a Hebrew title given to someone who regularly has guests. This donation allows contributors to become a Masbia Gold host for a 2 year monthly donation of $100 which can also be made in total on an annual basis.

Masbia Host - “Machnas Orach” - Silver - $1,200

Knowing that many people would like to be part of our holy work feeding the needy throughout the year, we have created a category called “Machnis Orach” a Hebrew title given to someone who regularly has guests. This donation allows contributors to become a Masbia Silver host for a 2 year monthly donation of $50 which can also be made in total on an annual basis.

Masbia Host - “Machnas Orach” - Copper - $600

Knowing that many people would like to be part of our holy work feeding the needy throughout the year, we have created a category called “Machnis Orach” a Hebrew title given to someone who regularly has guests. This donation allows contributors to become a Masbia Copper host for a 2 year monthly donation of $25 which can also be made in total on an annual basis.