Challah Bake in New Haven Brings Women Together

By Mimi Minsky

Flour and dough were the reigning scents in one community shul on Sunday night, September 18, where singing, impactful words, and positive energy could be heard and felt by all. These were the women of New Haven, Connecticut, who gathered to prepare and bless the challah, leaving uplifted, empowered, and ready to receive the Jewish New Year with open hearts and minds.

The monthly gatherings, run by the N’shei Rosh Chodesh Society, are often a highlight in the community, organized by longtime locals, Mrs. Chaya Hinda Holtzberg and Mrs. Chayke Meer, and a band of dedicated women behind them. Whether it’s charcuterie styling or sourdough 101, the goal of every event is to bring a diverse group of women together to celebrate our similarities within our differences and to empower each other to step into our feminine energy.

The annual mega challah bake was held at the local shul and artfully decorated by different women who contributed time and talent to ensure tables were beautifully set and organized for the night. Every woman was equipped with a large bowl filled with labeled baking ingredients, a placemat featuring the evening program, and a nametag to help learn about the growing community. “It’s a nice opportunity to meet new people and welcome them into our special community,” one woman said.

The program began with introductory words by event leader, Mrs. Meer, who shared the important feminine role of a Jewish woman in her home. Women listened as she spoke of candle lighting, taharas hamishpacha, and challah, citing the three meaningful mitzvos women are responsible for keeping. “Tonight, is about women coming together. Whoever they are, wherever they are holding, to celebrate being powerful Jewish women and the role we play that crosses over into every generation,” she shared.

The evening continued with the event’s emcee, Mrs. Rikki Deitsch, introducing step-by-step challah baking with Mrs. Moussia Mochkin, who also shared some thoughts and served a large role in organizing the event. The women took a pause from adding flour into bowls and trying to keep their gloves from getting sticky, to listen to Mrs. Tonia Chazanow of the Human & Holy podcast, who captured the crowd with a mikvah anecdote that told a story of the underlying beauty in sacrifice and remaining steadfast to one’s beliefs even in discomfort.

Women held hands, laughed, and danced along to music by Mrs. Shaina Mushka Einstein, who strummed on her guitar while others sang along with her. The chain of women formed around the room was a powerful representation of female strength and connection. Before leading the brocha klali, Mrs. Devorah Katz and Mrs. Miriam Sandman asked the women to turn to the person beside them and to bless them for the impending new year. Everyone said, “amen!” and blessings seemed to permeate the space. Mrs. Mushka Marasow then led challah shaping and every woman noticed how no two challahs looked alike.

The evening ended with a raffle of decorative res items created by Mrs. Sara Rosenstein and closing thoughts by Mrs. Holtzberg. It was dark outside when women waved goodbye, each carrying 9×13 pans, their arms laden with challah and blessings for the coming year. “I’m going to bake mine right now,” one woman told another. And they hurried home to do just that. There is no doubt that when women come together with intention, it is always transformative, empowering and deeply healing.