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With the Yom Tov of Pesach rapidly approaching, the Satmar kehilla continues its long standing tradition of giving families the opportunity to buy food for the eight day holiday at greatly reduced prices. With food costs escalating in advance of Pesach, whose observances requires particularly stringent dietary restrictions, thousands of families made their way to the New York State Armory on Marcy Avenue in order to take advantage of the significant savings with prices that were twenty percent below cost.

The Satmar kehilla tradition of subsidizing food for Pesach began ten years ago in a small catering hall. Since then the event has grown annually with thousands of people coming to make their holiday purchases from the thousands of tons of food at the armory.

“This is the least we can do to help people in a time of need,” explained Rabbi Sol Perlstein, vice president of the Satmar kehilla. “Our community has large families and with the difficult state of the economy, we are trying to do whatever we can to help both Satmar members and the general public.”

Among the shoppers who thronged to the armory were special VIP dignitaries including NYS Senator Eric Adams and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and others.

“It amazes me how a community can come together to aid people in need,” said Borough President Stringer. “It was truly inspiring to witness the good deed being done here with my own eyes.”

“There are no words to describe what it is like to see just how many people came here to take advantage of the low prices,” added State Senator Adams. “This should serve as an example to other communities, to help both your neighbor and other families.”

The Satmar community in New York State numbers approximately 100,000 with families averaging between five and eight children. One of today’s largest and most influential Chasidic groups, the Satmar kehilla is renowned for its many charitable organizations that provide assistance to the community in countless ways.

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