JSA Teams up with EMET for an Inspiring Challah Bake at St. John’s

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For the past several years, the Jewish Students’ Association (JSA) at St. John’s University has been growing and thriving beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. Led by this year’s president Natalie Eshaghian, the group’s nearly 200 members participate in weekly programming and learning (in conjunction with EMET Outreach) and host numerous special events, making the Jewish presence on campus a force to be reckoned with.

Last month, JSA and EMET partnered to host an inspiring Challah Bake, attended by a jam-packed crowd of 110 people. In addition to JSA members, many married women, EMET alumni, and even a number of High School seniors participated.

As with every JSA event, the atmosphere was warm and friendly. The room was filled with friendly banter and laughter, and delightful Israeli music played in the background. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner of shawarma, onion rings, and middle-eastern style salads.

As they entered, guests were greeted with dozens of beautifully decorated tables. Each place-setting was meticulously arranged, containing a large plastic bowl filled with a measuring cup, nestling measuring spoons, a laminated recipe, properly portioned ingredients, and each chair was adorned with a blue apron.

This was the first Challah Bake the JSA E-Board had ever organized, and they worked hard to ensure that everything went smoothly. “We wanted to make sure it was perfect,” Natalie explains. “Unlike other events where there is room for error, if you forget one ingredient at a Challah Bake, the whole thing can be a disaster. When it all came together and was successful, I was very happy and relieved.” She adds, “The feedback from students was extremely positive. Many of them said they’d love to do another one.”

With Natalie at the helm, JSA’s team of dedicated board members—Nicole Babayev, Svetlana Bachayev, Daniella Borukhov, William Dayanayev, Dina Sarikov, Moshe Priyev, and Joseph Sachakov—go to great lengths to make every student feels comfortable and welcome. Student Rachel Eliav says that the JSA is like a family. “It doesn’t feel like a Catholic college,” she says. “Everyone here is friendly. They find out you’re Jewish and then you’re part of the JSA, like that.”

Meaningful and Uplifting Experience

For many JSA members, this was their first time participating in the mitzvah of hafrashat challah, and participating in an event like this. It enhanced their knowledge of the mitzvah and its significance, deepened their appreciation of a woman’s role in Judaism, and gave them a positive, memorable Jewish experience.

Inez Yadgarov, a Touro and EMET graduate, explains that she simply could not miss the beautiful, inspiring atmosphere. “These girls are in school full-time,” she says. “Some of them are also working. They’re from traditional homes, and they’re here to make challah.” Inez keeps up with her EMET connections, and this past August she joined a group of St. John’s students on EMET’s moving and growth-oriented Poland trip.

The Significance of Challah

At a quarter to nine, the JSA Board began the event. Based on the crowd’s reaction, Natalie is clearly one popular leader. She introduced Mrs. Shonnie Rutenberg, the wife and force behind EMET’s co-founder and CEO Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg. Shonnie discussed the significance of challah, explaining that although we remove a portion of the dough, we’re actually gaining, not losing. As Jews we recognize that as a giver, you benefit as much as the recipient, and bestow bracha upon your possessions. Shonnie’s friendly and candid demeanor really resonated with the entire crowd.

Next, the demonstration of making challah began. Natalie directed the students with clear instructions. Baking “coaches” circulate and ensure that everyone follows with no major snafus.

The evening was topped off by a powerful speech from Mrs. Devorah Kigel about the importance and significance of the mitzvah of challah. Mrs. Kigel is an extremely popular lecturer and shalom bayit expert; a warm, penetrating speaker, with whom many students of all levels of observance have developed a strong, lasting connection.

The most significant moment of the evening is the separation of challah along with the bracha, recited together by women from all spectrums of Jewish observance. This is the transformation, when time and bread and women transcend their physicality and become something more.  Everyone in the room felt it. The students took their rising dough home to bake, and to extend the spirituality into their own domains.

EMET and JSA: A Powerful Combination

EMET Outreach and the JSA have worked together to have a huge impact on the Jewish student body at St. John’s, as well as the overall culture on campus. EMET’s office and learning center is located just a few blocks from campus in Jamaica Estates, and students frequently stop by to meet with Rabbis and staff members, volunteer, or attend an event. EMET hosts a popular weekly Fellowship program on campus for beginners, one of the organization’s five local campus outreach programs. Upon completion, students attend a week-long trip to Poland and Prague.

In addition, EMET’s Co-Director Rabbi Mordechai Kraft teaches a class in Biblical Hebrew that is part of the university’s curriculum, in which students can earn credits toward their degree.

One reason EMET has been so successful is that the entire staff strives to show students the beauty of the Torah, and create a positive learning and growth experience. JSA’s president and driving force, Natalie, has joined this mission, genuinely wanting every Jew from all backgrounds to feel comfortable and part of the “JSA family.”

Natalie explains that a big part of JSA’s goal is to connect and unify all Jewish students, no matter what their background or religious level. She says, “St. John’s has a large number of Jewish students, and they have a wide spectrum of religious education and background. Some have questions about their religion, and others simply want to connect with Jews on campus. JSA helps them meet their needs and build those connections.” She adds, “We work hard to create a comfortable, warm atmosphere where people can make friends and feel at home.”

In addition, because St. John’s is a catholic university, JSA has been instrumental in working with the school to bring about a Jewish culture that serve the needs of its members. They have worked with the university to offer kosher food, and even have a prayer room on campus. Along with EMET’s devoted staff members and her fellow JSA leaders, Natalie’s effort and hard work have touched the lives of hundreds of students. She is excited about the future, and hopes to continue bringing together Jewish students from all walks of life and showing them the beauty of Torah and mitzvot.