On Chai Elul, which fell this year on September 11, the day marking the birthdays of both the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe, Chabad of Talbiya-Mamilla Women’s Circle hosted its 75th Challah Bake at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue. The evening carried a special holiness, not only because of the date or the milestone, but because of the extraordinary woman who joined as the guest of honor: Mrs. Sylvia Cunio, the mother of David and Ariel Cunio, two of the (then) hostages from Gaza.
Chabad Shlucha – Chanale Canterman shared the divinity of the timing of Sylvia’s attendance at the “Hafrashat Challah,” in the Jewish month of Elul, whose anthem is “Le’Dovid Hashem Ori” – light and hope. She shared with the audience what had taken place a mere two days prior to the event. “Sylvia’s response to my invitation that she might join us for the second time as a guest today (Sylvia had already attended Challah bake #40) took me by complete surprise. She gave me an exuberant “YES” and said “I’d LOVE to take challah tomorrow on Chai Elul, and let me tell you why…”
At 69 years old, Sylvia had read about the holy woman’s mitzvah of Taharat Hamishpacha. Right then, she made an immediate, noble decision to take on this precept and had immersed in a Mikveh Tahara in Kiryat Gat – for her very first time. The women were in utter amazement and admiration.
This would be the week that would mark the first time that Sylvia would complete all three mitzvot traditionally entrusted to women: observing the laws of family purity, lighting Shabbat candles, and separating challah. In recognition of her heartfelt dedication to these mitzvot, the Chabad of Talbiya-Mamilla Women’s Circle presented her with three meaningful gifts: a pair of candlesticks, a stunning apron and gloves for the baking of challah, and a beautifully crafted washing cup — used in the preparations for immersion in the mikvah.
Sylvia’s presence filled the room with quiet strength and deep emotion. This was not simply another Challah Bake. It was an evening that embodied faith, resilience, and above all, hope, the very heartbeat of the month of Elul.
Rebetzin Ora Weingut explained that the word mikvah shares its root with kaveh, meaning hope. In a time of unimaginable darkness and uncertainty, Sylvia chose to express her hope through this sacred act, stepping into the waters that symbolize renewal, purity, and faith in G-d’s promise. It was not only a ritual. It was a living declaration that even in pain, the Jewish woman’s strength is to believe, to hope, and to act.
The symbolism grew even deeper in hindsight. When her sons were miraculously released on Hoshana Rabbah, this was the final day that the psalm L’David Hashem Ori V’Yishi is recited, the psalm that ends with the verse:
“Kaveh el Hashem, chazak v’yameitz libecha, v’kaveh el Hashem.”
“Hope to Hashem, be strong and let your heart take courage, and hope to Hashem.”
Only afterward did it become clear that the two repetitions of kaveh el Hashem seemed to whisper good tidings of her two sons, David and Ariel.
The spirit of Chai Elul filled the room. It is the day when the light of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe first entered the world, and their shared message, that every soul can bring light into darkness, was reflected perfectly in Sylvia’s courage, her immersion, and her unwavering faith.
Challah Bake #75 became far more than a milestone. It became a living anthem of “Kaveh el Hashem”, a reminder that hope has no age, faith has no limit, and redemption is never out of reach. At the time of the Challah Bake, both of Sylvia’s sons were still in captivity, and all of Am Yisrael joined together in heartfelt tefillot for their safe and speedy return along with all the other hostages. Today, joy overflows as pictures emerge of Sylvia reunited with her two long-awaited sons, finally home. May all the remaining hostages be returned home imminently. May the entirety of the Jewish people return home to Eretz Yisrael, imminently.
