Our Story

Starting with the vision of Malek's Bakery founder, Ms. Lea Malek, Hillel Community Day School has always believed in the value of homemade, handcrafted, quality, kosher baked goods. While Ms. Malek was making her delectable pastries and challahs for us over the years, she was also committed to our school and community. All of her children attended Hillel School, and each year she still volunteers to share her personal stories of courage, surviving the Holocaust, and her mission of living with moral purpose for our students. She is a role model and hero to all that know her.

 

In 2022, Hillel Community Day School, a 501c3 organization committed to providing an exceptional education for the Jewish Community of Rochester, NY, purchased the bakery to honor the legacy of Ms. Lea Malek. Profits from the bakery go back into its sustainability and Hillel School's robust scholarship and financial aid program. Over 85% of Hillel's students and their families receive around a 72% financial aid package, which means that the school needs to continue expanding our revenue streams to ensure our ability to meet the needs of our current and future students' families. In service to the entire community, Hillel School proudly looks to continue Malek's traditions and maintain Lea's "top secret" kosher recipes while also expanding its ability to serve the needs of our evolving community.

 

Our fresh baked goods will not only warm your home, but Malek's Bakery products will also warm your heart and bring you back to your favorite moments in your Bubbe/Savta's kitchen. Our favorite time of day is when our first batch comes out of the oven early in the morning, and the fresh smell of flaky pastry, challah, and chocolate fills the entire avenue.

 

We value locally grown, fresh ingredients made into traditional recipes that taste amazing. Like Ms. Malek, over 45 years ago, we still like to keep it simple and emphasize flavor and quality over fast production. Come check out what we’ve got coming out of our ovens for you today. Your taste buds will be happy, and we know you will be happy too!