 Mandelbaum proposed the idea of feeding Jewish families in a more "formal, systematic way" through a free kosher restaurant which would be supported by others in the community who were still well-off.Masbia was set up as a restaurant in order not to humiliate singles and families who were unused to eating in a soup kitchen.Many Masbia patrons are men from the Hasidic community, for whom poverty is a cultural sign of shame.