When 2,000 Brooklyn Jewish women gather together at a massive Challah Bake event, you just know that amazing things are about to happen. So it’s no wonder that our community is eagerly anticipating the third annual Brooklyn Challah Bake, an event that unites and inspires Brooklyn’s women from across the spectrum. With moments of thoughtful inspiration interspersed with spirited dancing, and musical interludes combined with hands-on challah baking, there’s really nothing else quite like it.

If you’ve never been to a Challah Bake, that’s too bad. We’d love to describe it to you, but you really have to experience it in person. There’s something very energizing about sharing the Challah baking experience together with two thousand women in one giant room. Despite the varying backgrounds – or perhaps because of it – all are focused on the unity, the inspiration, and the unique mitzvah of Challah.

This year’s event will take place on Wednesday October 25 th , at 7:00 PM. It will be held at PacPlex, located at 1500 Paerdegat Ave N, just ten minutes from Flatbush. The new venue is uniquely suited for the huge crowd that is expected to attend, with plenty of on-site parking available. The Challah Bake will be hosted by the incomparable super-charged Shimi Adar. Shimi will be joined this year by celebrity chef Jamie Geller, who will lead the Challah baking demonstration. Holocaust survivor Bronia Brandman will be lighting the yahrzeit candle and Rebetzin Sara Meisels will be making the bracha on the Challah.

Chanie Mandel and Chaya Lew are coordinating the event, and they offer us a sneak preview of what to expect at this year’s Challah Bake. Without divulging too many details, Chanie says she’s super excited about the retro themed settings that are planning, including clever and artsy centerpieces.As always, the theme of the event will be Jewish unity, this time focusing on strengthening our bond with Jewish women in Eretz Yisroel. “Both Jamie and Rebetzin Meisels live in Eretz Yisroel,” Chanie points out. “And the musical interlude will focus on Acheinu Kol Bais Yisroel as well.”

It takes lots of planning and organizing to create a massive Challah Bake, but Chanie and her almost 150 volunteers and “challah coaches”, bli ayin hora, are up to the challenge. The sheer numbers are mind boggling. Fifty 50 pound bags of flour have been ordered and will be meticulously measured out for every participant in special containers. Two thousand bowls, aprons, and swag bags are being prepared. And four hundred Coca Cola bottles will be used to enhance the décor.

As always, women are encouraged to bring unaffiliated guests to this event. In fact, a significant number of women, members of the “JInspire program”run by Shulamith Zakutinsky, who came to Challah baking at last year’s event, were so inspired that they’ve decided to help recruit others by bringing along their family, friends and acquaintances, to join them this year. Leading this group is Milana Feldman and a committee of ladies, many of whom have been inspired by the JInspire trips to Israel, a program of Project Inspire.

“A Challah Bake is a tremendous opportunity,” says Chanie Mandel, “because it appeals to all women and it can serve as a catalyst for inspiration and growth. “ She encourages us to think out of the box and invite somebody we know to this year’s event. “Everybody knows somebody less-affiliated or who needs a little chizuk,” she points out. “That lady in the bank, the receptionist at work, your manicurist, even the saleslady at your favorite store – why not invite these women to join? You may be pleasantly surprised with the results!”

One Flatbush resident invited her neighbor Carol to last year’s event, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience for both of them. Carol is no youngster but she found herself thoroughly enjoying the lively music and dancing. “For me,” says Carol, “it was an emotional experience. I came away on a high. And the people were fabulous. There were no attitudes. It was all just positive and very friendly.”

The Challah Bake is being sponsored by Isaac and Edie Gross l’iluy nishmas their mother, Malka bas Yoseph Yuspeh (Gross) O’H, and is being coordinated by Project Inspire, an organization dedicated to mobilizing the Torah community to become involved in Jewish outreach. Rabbi Chaim Sampson, Founding Director of Project Inspire, says that “The Challah Bakeis an event filled with unbelievable energy and spirit. It’s a tremendous opportunity and everybody should really think about who they could bring along. We need the inspiration ourselves of course, but let’s also share it with others who’ve never experienced the joy and beauty of Yiddishkeit in this way. It’s a great opportunity for a Kiddush Hashem.”

Just ask the women who are hard at work preparing for this year’s event. With so many details to attend to, it can get overwhelming. Yet they see hashgacha pratis every step of the way. “We start planning this months in advance,” says Chanie, “and of course it can be a little terrifying at first. But once we begin the process, it’s incredible how everything just falls into place. One thing leads to another and so many people offer to help.”

The mitzvah of Challah is a special gift to Jewish women, and the Challah Bake is an opportunity to share that gift with 2,000 vibrant, joyous, united, and dedicated ladies. With so much energy generated, it’s no wonder the inspiration is bouncing off the walls. What could be more powerful and meaningful than that?

To register for the Challah Bake, contact [email protected] or call 646-291-6191.

Sidebar:

Challah Bake By The Numbers:

When Brooklyn does a Challah Bake, we do it in huge numbers! Here are just a few of the ingredients that will be needed for the big event:

2600 pounds of flour
32 gallons of oil
296 pounds of sugar
20 pounds of yeast
32 pounds of salt

And tons of inspiration!