What Makes a Chicken Kosher?
You see, the Torah did not provide kosher signs for birds the way it did for meat (split hoofs, chews its cud), nor does it list the kosher birds. Instead, the Torah lists the non-kosher birds only. Over the years the rabbonim have provided us with signs of the kosher and non-kosher birds, but principally we work with tradition — which birds are known to be kosher. That knowledge is transmitted down from generation to generation.
There are hundreds of chicken breeds in existence. Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have always been present. The problem is that some time ago — perhaps over 100 years — farmers started to create hybrid chickens. Obviously, this was done in an attempt to get the best qualities of various varieties into one chicken and then breed that new variety and reap the benefits.
The problem is that not all varieties of chickens have been accepted through proof of a tradition (mesorah). So, when the breeds were mixed, the resultant bird was not the original bird, even though it looked like it.

Enter the Braekel
Because of this issue, three years ago, an effort was made to bring to Israel a “heritage” bird, one that went way back in history. They chose the Braekel, a bird that has been known to exist since 1416 and which was very popular in Belgium. It is principally used as an egg layer. The problem was that the rabbis in Israel challenge this bird’s kosher status because they don’t feel that there is a mesorah among us that the Braekel is a kosher bird.
Yes, the Braekel is a well established breed in the world, but is it kosher? Not only are the rabbis split on this, there is testimony by older shochtim that the Braekel is one of the chickens that they remember shechting many decades ago. Yet, in those days there was no industrial slaughter. A person bought a bird from an Arab and brought it to the shochet to shecht. He ate what the Arab raised. Yet that does mean that Jews in Israel, according to these shochtim, ate that bird and that they remember it. But was that bird our Braekel of today?

Two Important Facts about the Braekel
1. There are two distinct types of Braekel that were recognized in the past: the large type living on rich clay soil called the Flanders, and a light-weight type from the less fertile region, the Kempen. Due to crossbreeding between the different types, this distinction vanished, resulting in a single type. In the UK, USA and Australia, one can still find descendants of the Kempen Braekel under its old name Campine. The Campine has evolved differently from the Braekel. The most noticeable difference is the hen-feathering of the rooster and the lower weight. Old names for the breed are “The Everyday Layer,” “The Grey White Neck” and “The Nuns Hen.” So there you have it. Which is the 1416 Braekel? No one can tell you.

The Start
This movement evolved as a result of a void that was left with the passing of Rebbetzin Kanievsky, zt”l. Unbeknownst to anyone, while the Rebbetzin was alive, she was distributing money to poor widows and orphans. Because this was not an official charity organization, when she passed away, the dispensing of the funds came to a halt.
With the urging of Rav Chaim Kanievsky, a formal charity, known in Israel as Moreshet Batsheva, and in America, as Batsheva Kanievsky Widow and Children Fund, was established.
Ner Echad looks to Rebbetzin Kanievsky as a role model for uniting women as well as helping the needy. Therefore, following her illustrious example, Ner Echad serves as a unity movement in which women participate in unified candle lighting, praying for one another and giving charity as one entity.

How It Is Done
When a woman becomes a member of this unique group, she commits to donating a dollar every week (which is an automated deduction) to the Batsheva Kanievsky Widow and Children Fund. In addition, every Friday, via texting and email, she is given a name of another woman for whom to pray while she lights the Shabbos candles.
In this way, women from around the world are joined together through prayer and charity. Although each person is donating a mere dollar, all of the money is sent together, so women have the merit of being part of a massive donation every week, highlighting the power of each individual.

Why I Joined
As might also be the case for many women, through joining Ner Echad, my experience lighting Shabbos candles has taken on new life and new meaning. I now feel bonded to Jewish women around the world who share in this uniquely female mitzvah.
When I light my candles, I feel part of a larger women’s movement as well as a special tie to the individual person for whom I am praying. At the same time, I am strengthened with the knowledge that someone is praying for me when she kindles her Shabbos candles. Ner Echad provides women with a platform to assert their key role in Judaism without compromising on its authenticity.