On Wednesday evening, November 5, over 100 community women, as well as women from all over the United States, gathered excitedly at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills for an amazing Jewish Women’s Unity Challah Bake. There were women of all ages and from all different backgrounds and all different levels of observance united to do a beautiful mitzvah and to connect to one another in a meaningful way. Some women braided challah for the very first time.
There were lots of hugs and smiles as women greeted one another. The event was hosted by Project Inspire International, Project Inspire Queens, Emet Outreach, and Chazaq, which in itself reflects the strong unity of our wonderful Queens community. The tables were set with individual large plastic bowls, cards with the brachah for hafrashas challah, a paper with the challah recipe, a tz’dakah box, an apron, and challah ingredients.
This writer interviewed various women to hear their reaction to the challah bake.
One community member shared, “It was magical. So much positive energy!” Another participant said, “I love this. It’s a great idea!” Still another shared, “It’s amazing, inspiring, and very uniting!” Someone else said, “It’s memorable to bake challah with so many people together!” Another person added, “It’s so beautiful to see women of all ages gathering together, and I liked how the rebbetzin explained the symbolism of all the ingredients!”
Mrs. Chana Mirsky, Project Inspire Queens Leader, shared that the theme of the event was unity. She thanked everyone for participating and she thanked the sponsors. Then she introduced Mrs. Kaila Spiro, head of Project Inspire International, who welcomed everyone to the Women’s Outreach 2025 Women’s Unity Challah Bake and shared some of the wonderful activities sponsored by Project Inspire. There are retreats, events, trips, professional mentoring, Shabbatons, and so much more. They create learning partners. She urged everyone to get involved because Project Inspire has opportunities for you. It’s there for the needs of Jewish people all over and mainly in the New York and New Jersey area. She noted that Project Inspire Queens is a “rockstar” that has been going strong for over a decade, and she praised them for being responsible for this lovely event. She noted that Queens created such devotion that women flew in from Florida for this event.
Next, Mrs. Gitty Hecht, Rebbetzin at Anshei Shalom Chabad JCC in Kew Gardens and a well-known speaker, spoke and directed the challah bake. Rebbetzin Hecht pointed out that we all have our own special talents and gifts. Each of us has gifts that make us shine. We should use those talents to elevate this world for everyone else around us.
As women, she said, we are the foundation of the home. We are the spiritual thermometer, so to speak. We were entrusted with mitzvos to uplift and sanctify our home. Challah represents nourishment. The woman nourishes her family physically and spiritually. We separate the dough to remember the portion given to the kohen. This symbolizes giving back to Hashem from what we create. You need a full five pounds of flour to make a blessing on separating the challah. She explained that at the challah bake they had a pre-prepared five-pound dough and everyone would say Amein to the brachah of hafrashas challah. It would also be an auspicious time for t’filah. She noted that in that moment, when everyone says Amein, we are all united: one heart, one brachah, one mitzvah.
She shared that “this event was a collective offering of gratitude, faith, and connection.” She then pointed out how food carries memories. She then taught the symbolism of each of the ingredients. The first three ingredients are water, sugar, and yeast. Water symbolizes Torah and purity. Water flows downward — the essence of humility. Water connects everything it touches. When we pour water, we think of the flow of g’ulah. Sugar brings sweetness like kindness, which brings sweetness into our lives. Yeast is alive. It’s the only live ingredient in the recipe, and it’s a powerful symbol of growth. We invest in growth for ourselves and for others. Yeast only rises in warmth, which is the same with people. Warmth, sensitivity, and passion allow us to flourish. We want to bring that warmth into our communities.
She spoke about the importance of seeing one another with compassion. The challah mitzvah brings boundless blessings into our homes and the world. The yeast represents rising together.
Next, she spoke about the symbolism of the egg, which is the binding ingredient. The message of challah is that it reminds us that our strength as a nation derives from the bond we share together. October 7 taught us the importance of unity. “All Jews are connected into one beautiful whole!”
Then she taught that oil rises and connects everything together. Oil was used to anoint kings. It reminds us that true unity comes from recognizing the unique essence of every person. Oil is also a metaphor for the power of words and actions.
Flour, the main ingredient, is the foundation, yet flour alone is nothing. It needs to be combined with the other ingredients. Just as there is a process to create flour and refine it from wheat, so, too, our everyday efforts at home and in the community remind us of our own refinement. Salt, she said, symbolizes discipline.
When baking challah, Rebbetzin Hecht noted that we put in the work and Hashem provides the blessing.
She directed everyone on the amounts and the order of when to add the ingredients. After everyone kneaded her dough and left it to rise, DJ Ephrat Alon brought energy to buoyant circle dancing together, which added to the joyous feeling of this extraordinary experience.
The crowd was deeply moved by Rebbetzin Ora Nisanov’s heartfelt story about her daughters.
A long-time community member summed it up: “It was so meaningful to do this with other women, and it was uplifting. Such a beautiful event!”
Be part of the movement of connection at www.ProjectInspire.com.
