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A kosher food bank unveils 50-pound Purim cookie to raise awareness about hungry New Yorkers

By JULIA GERGELY | New York Jewish Week

(New York Jewish Week) — A giant, 50-pound hamantasch (singular of hamantaschen) was unveiled Sunday at Congregation Orach Chaim on the Upper East Side as part of a fundraiser for Masbia, a kosher soup kitchen and food bank. 

Strauss Bakery in Borough Park made the giant pastry in honor of the Orthodox-run organization’s new initiative, Hamantaschen for Hunger, which aims to raise money for needy New Yorkers in the weeks leading up to Purim. On the holiday, which begins this year on the evening of March 23, it is traditional to give gifts to the poor — as well as to friends and family.

In January, the kosher bakery helped create a massive, 35-foot challah in attempt to set a Guinness World Record, in partnership from Congregation Rodeph Sholom, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Orthodox Union.

The 42-inch apricot jam-filled triangular cookie, however, was made only to promote Masbia’s Purim anti-hunger campaign. For every package of hamantaschen bought via the initiative’s website, Strauss will donate half of the proceeds to help Masbia feed the hungry.