NJ Woman Is The 'Heartbeat' At Chabad Of The Caldwells

CALDWELLS, NJ — The following article comes courtesy of Jackie Schatell. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Walk into Chabad of the Caldwells on almost any given day, and chances are something is happening in the kitchen.

Dough is rising. Tables are being set. Decorations are coming together. Someone is dropping off supplies, picking up baked goods, or staying just a little longer after an event because the space feels comfortable enough to linger.

Much of that atmosphere begins with Gittel Sputz.

While Rabbi Shmuly Sputz often serves as the public face of Chabad, Gittel quietly shapes the heartbeat of the community through creativity, hospitality, and a deeply personal philosophy rooted in how she grew up.

“I came from a very open home,” she says. “Our guest rooms were always full. One person leaving, the next one arriving. That feeling of welcoming people in was something I always knew I wanted to continue.”

Today, that open-door mindset defines the experience many families encounter when they walk into Chabad of the Caldwells for the first time.

A home that blends family and community

Gittel and Rabbi Sputz relocated to the Caldwells with their four young children, creating a space where family life and community life are intentionally intertwined.

Shabbat meals, holiday celebrations, and gatherings often happen around the same table where their children eat and play. Rather than separating roles, Gittel embraces the overlap.

“My family is here. The community is here. We’re all family,” she says.

Her children are not simply observers. They participate, help, and take pride in being part of what happens inside the Chabad house. One son, she jokes, considers himself the “assistant rabbi.”

The result is an environment that feels lived-in and authentic, less like an institution and more like a home where people naturally belong.

The creative force behind the programming

Behind many of Chabad’s most popular programs is Gittel’s creativity and attention to detail.

With a background in education and special education, she approaches programming through a lens of inclusivity and engagement. She gravitates toward hands-on experiences that help people connect socially while exploring Jewish traditions.

Challah bakes bring participants together to learn, share stories, and create something tangible. Chocolate workshops, craft programs, and creative holiday events offer entry points for people who might feel intimidated by more formal religious settings.

Her artistic instincts show up in everything from table settings to event design. She describes herself as someone who loves color, creativity, and making things feel beautiful and meaningful at the same time.

That aesthetic translates into gatherings that feel thoughtful without feeling formal, welcoming without feeling overwhelming.

A kitchen built for community

The kitchen at Chabad of the Caldwells plays a central role in much of what Gittel creates.

Doubling as a bakery, Gittel prepares baked goods both for community events and for individuals who order directly through the organization’s website. Fresh challah and babka baked weekly have become both a culinary staple and a way of connecting people.

Through her baking initiatives, food becomes more than nourishment. It becomes a language of care.

One program, “Loaves of Love,” invites community members to refer someone who might need extra support or encouragement. A homemade challah is delivered before Shabbat as a small but meaningful gesture of connection.

Another initiative reflects her desire to support families during vulnerable moments. Through a program known as The Village, new mothers, families experiencing loss, or those navigating medical challenges receive meals, support, and access to a shared nursery filled with gently used baby supplies.

These programs often operate quietly behind the scenes, but their impact extends far beyond the kitchen.

Creating entry points for connection

Gittel believes that one of the most important roles she plays is helping people feel comfortable enough to walk through the door.

For many, attending a religious event for the first time can feel daunting. Her goal is to make that first experience warm, approachable, and free of pressure.

“Come once and try it,” she says simply.

That philosophy is visible across the range of programs she helps organize, from women’s gatherings and creative workshops to family-centered holiday celebrations.

Each event becomes another opportunity for someone to feel included without needing prior knowledge or experience.

Light that spreads outward

When asked what message she hopes to share with the broader community, Gittel returns to a theme that shapes much of her work.

Even small acts of kindness can bring much light into difficult moments.

In a world that often feels heavy, she believes that individuals have the power to create change simply by showing up for one another. Whether that means hosting a meal, making a caring phone call, giving an encouraging hug, or offering a welcoming smile, each action becomes part of a larger ripple effect.

Her role, she says, is to help inspire others to take that responsibility for themselves.

Because sometimes the most powerful community spaces are not built through grand gestures.

They are built through open doors, shared tables, and the quiet work happening in the kitchen long before guests arrive.

For more information, visit chabadcaldwells.com

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