Innovation, education and community—combine these ingredients and something delicious can materialize. Add to the mix students with special needs, a handful of volunteers and a top pastry chef, and the end results wind up in the form of dairy-free pastries, cakes, cookies and challah.

That’s what happened with the opening of Friendship Bakery in Wisconsin.

The idea started formulating this past October, when Rabbi Levi and Leah Stein, co-directors of Friendship Circle of Wisconsin—a division of Lubavitch of Wisconsin—recognized that adults with special needs were lacking opportunities for hands-on vocational training and the need to feel productive in the working world.

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The Steins approached local master pastry chef Dina Menzl-Russo, 50, to teach a comprehensive course that includes the science of baking from start to finish: food safety, preparation, use of utensils, operating the ovens, decorating, packaging and selling within the laws of kashrut.

Then they found a commercial kosher kitchen to use in Milwaukee.

“The vision for Friendship Bakery touched my heart. When this opportunity came along, I had to be a part of it,” says Menzl-Russo. “There is nothing I believe that could be more meaningful for me than to take my skills and share them with others in this way.”

In its current space, the program is able to provide training for three people each in three separate shifts, who work with volunteers. Every task is demonstrated and broken down into steps. Laminated cards include both written and photo instructions. Tasks are repeated over and over again until the skills are learned. From hand-washing to using gloves and hairnets, measuring ingredients and rolling out dough to the proper use of equipment, cleanup, time management and quality control, the course covers every detail necessary to running a successful kosher-bakery business.

Fresh challah made at Friendship Bakery

Students will be evaluated each month (the bakery just opened in July) for mastering certain skills. A final evaluation comes at the end of the course, when participants will be expected to demonstrate their ability to successfully complete 65 critical skills. Upon passing, they will receive a certificate of completion, along with references for employment.

An extra benefit of the program is giving enrollees the opportunity to earn some money. The amount will be based on a percentage of the profits, allowing students to take additional pride in their work and help the bakery become successful.

“What makes Friendship Bakery unique is how much community plays a role in the success of this endeavor,” explains Rabbi Stein. “Volunteers assist the trainees, forming a close friendship and working relationship, and in turn, our community has access to outstanding fresh-baked kosher pastries and breads. It’s a win-win for everyone.”