Five Towns women gather for Chabad challah bake before Rosh Hashana

Sixty women from across the Five Towns gathered on Sept. 9 at the Chabad of Hewlett's new building on Everit Avenue for a pre-Rosh Hashana challah bake, two days before the holiday. The Nassau Herald reported that Rebbetzin Rivkie Tenenboim, wife of Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim, spoke about the symbolism of round challah, describing it as representing continuity from year to year. She called Rosh Hashana a day of judgment and reflection.

Participants shared their reasons for attending. Nicole Sigal of Lawrence came with her mother, calling it part of a personal "reinvention" and a chance to take part in a tradition she was not raised with. Laura Rosenberg of Hewlett, involved with Chabad for 10 years, said supporting the Jewish community feels especially meaningful given today's antisemitism, and praised the Chabad for accepting people regardless of their level of observance.