Only in New York. The Challah Lady.

Soft spoken and unassuming, she strides up the steps of City Hall each week with a few toasty loaves of the traditional Jewish bread tucked into a shopping bag. She breezes past the security desk and into the mayor's press office, where she is greeted warmly. She comes bearing a loaf for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and at least one challah for the press office staff members. (On a lucky day, it will have chocolate chips.)

Among the scores of people who make their way into City Hall each week, the challah lady, Esty Scheiner, is among the more invisible. She has no petitions, no lawsuits, and no real agenda other than to build a vibrant Jewish life in Lower Manhattan. She considers merging government and challah part of that mission.