On Thursday, November 14, more than 150 women filled Young Israel of New Rochelle’s social hall for their Annual Challah Bake, part of the international Shabbos Project. This year, YINR’s Women’s League invited representatives of Friends of the IDF to address the attendees.
YINR Women’s League Co-President Lauren Bochner began: “Baking challah is not just about the ingredients or the technique. It’s about tradition, community and our connection to Hashem. Baking challah is a special segula for many things … let’s take a moment to appreciate the brachot in our lives, the chance to come together and the opportunity to take something that will nourish not only our body but our souls. Gathering to bake challah has a special power to join our efforts in this mitzvah and present our requests to Hashem. As we go through tonight, let’s not forget our hostages. Let this mitzvah be a zechut for all the hostages to come home now.”
Bochner welcomed FIDF Senior Development Associates Rebecca Grossman (Westchester-Connecticut) and Daniella Hen and special guest, Captain Omer.
Grossman said: “I feel at home here because this synagogue and community have hosted FIDF many times. Since October 7, we have been working around the clock to make sure soldiers have what they need for the war. We deliver exactly what we know they need in real time. Because of all of you, we have answered every call immediately, transferring tens of millions of life-saving funds directly to our soldiers. More than 50% of the funds raised have gone to medical equipment and supplies.
“In 2006, during Operation Protective Edge, 15% of injured soldiers died of their wounds. In this war, it went down to 6.5%. Our leading-edge medical support has created a 93% soldier survival rate, unprecedented in the history of war. The Young Israel New Rochelle community has been so supportive of Israel, FIDF and the IDF soldiers, hosting shabbatons and having a challah bake like today. Together, our efforts are providing the critical needs of our soldiers. Thank you all for coming together; we will win. Am Yisroel Chai forever.”
Captain Omer then described his experiences in the IDF, including October 7 and his involvement in rescuing four hostages from Hamas captivity.
Before leading participants in reciting Perek 130 of Tehillim “for the safety of our country, for the safety of our people and for the return of the hostages,” YINR Rebbetzin Abby Fink expressed, “It’s a privilege for us to partner with FIDF. We are very proud of our community’s participation.”
Overhead video cameras captured Rebbetzin Yael Axelrod’s challah preparation demonstration. At each station, challah-makers were given aprons, gloves, pre-measured ingredients and a very large mixing bowl with a lid. Axelrod referred to the jumbo bowl as “the largest challah bowl I have ever seen in my life.” She took participants step-by-step through the dough-making process, from proofing the yeast to adding flour to the wet ingredients. “The difference between good challah and great challah is the amount of flour you put in; the slower the better. … Pour in a little at a time, maybe an eighth of the bag. Mix it in. Wait till it’s incorporated, then pour in the next eighth. It will be delicious. Be patient, go slow. It will be great!”
The participants were instructed to mix the dough with their wooden spoons until it was too hard and then go in with their hands. Axelrod explained: “When you knead the challah, it is a great time to ask Hashem for anything you want. You should think about everything you need, and that klal Yisroel needs.”
As a group, everyone did hafrashat challah from their own bowls, with Axelrod leading the bracha in unison.
After covering their dough bowls with the lids, allowing the dough to rise, the group moved to the Terrace Room for a kumzitz. Axelrod detailed the goals of the international Shabbos Project.
Fink said, “Every year, we find a different way to celebrate going into this Shabbos. This year we did it together with FIDF.” She then recalled the year YINR coordinated their challah bake with the community’s daughters who were in Israel studying for the year. “They were baking at the same time we were. It is such an inspiration that we are not doing this alone. Around the world, we all are doing this together and we are so privileged to be a part of it.”
The evening ended with the singing of “Acheinu.” Everyone took their bowls of challah dough home to bake in their own ovens.
