Few Jewish foods evoke the same warm sentiments as Challah. Memories of fresh baked challah coming from Bubby’s kitchen and family and friends gathered around the Shabbat table enjoying the delicious special bread for Shabbat all contribute to Challah’s popularity among Jews. Bringing the warmth and tradition of Challah baking to Marin County, Chabad Jewish Center of Novato and Chabad of Mill Valley partner together, co-sponsored by the Osher Marin JCC, and with the participation of many local organizations, inviting all Jewish women ages 12 and up to participate in a Mega Challah Bake to be held on Wednesday, January 28 at 6:30pm at the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd.
Women joining are guaranteed a spiritual experience as they join together with 200 other women of every age and from across every denomination of Judaism to create - from scratch - delicious loaves of Challah. The program will include a hands-on workshop, teaching participants the secret to great tasting Challah, in addition to a musical performance, raffle packages, refreshments, and audio/visual for all to enjoy. Discovering the beauty of this tradition, unique to woman, participants can then go home and share this beautiful part of Shabbat with others. A few moments of introspection will be included to pray together for health, happiness, prosperity and any other blessings needed, with the hope that the power in numbers will inspire the answer to each ones prayers. In the true spirit of unity, all participants will create two loaves of Challah, one to keep and one to give to a friend.
“Baking challah is a time-honored Mitzvah (commandment) dating back to our matriarchs. It is taught that when a woman bakes Challah and makes the appropriate blessings on the dough, she is bringing additional blessing into her home and into the food that she lovingly prepares for family and friends. It is a time for women to pray for their personal needs, the needs of their families and their communities,” said Adina Landa co-director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Novato. “By bringing a large group of women together to bake Challah, in addition to learning a wonderful skill & inspiring unity in our community, our hope is that our joint prayers will be so much more poignant.”
All women are welcome to join the Mega Challah Bake, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background. Find out more information and register online at www.ChallahBake.com. Space is limited.
