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Mostly Cloudy 1,400 women join LI Challah Bake at Sands Atlantic Beach
Three exceptional things happened at last week’s “Great Challah Bake, Long Island Style” (in addition to the three loaves each participant created).
The event, which drew over 1,400 women to the Sands Atlantic Beach, allowed less-observant Jewish women to renew their connection with Judaism and meet a “real live” Orthodox neighbor to whom they can direct practical, traditional or spiritual questions. Many invitations to future Shabbos meals were made that night.
The evening also energized the women and girls in Orthodox communities. The things we do daily, often without thought, were seen through fresh eyes, reminding us of their value.
Thirdly, a feeling of profound unity permeated the entire building. The excitement of joining together with Jewish women from all walks of life and all points on the religious spectrum inspired everyone.
Rabbi Lawrence Hajjioff introduced each section of the evening’s activities, and Rebbetzin Debbie Greenblatt directed the baking with warmth, wit and wisdom.
“Tonight we are discovering the joy of being a Jewish woman, like Sarah the first Jewish woman who we read about in the Torah portion this week,” she said. “The tradition of challah goes back 3,700 years!
“So we are forging another link in the chain of Jewish women. Civilizations have risen and disappeared in that time, and yet, here we are, going strong.”
“What is challah?” she continued. “It’s just bread … but maybe not just bread. We take a little bit of dough and make a blessing, which changes the mundane into the transcendent. Transcendence means knowing the source our blessings, and seeing the good-li-need in everything around you.”
Adina Fishlewitz, who coordinated the event along with a large group of volunteers, said, “I appreciate that so many people came out and were able to embrace the evening. I wish I could give them all a hug and I welcome them back next year.”
