Challah Bake in Edmonton was an uplifting experience

By Regan Lipes

(AJNews) – The organizers of the annual Edmonton Jewish community Shabbat Project Challah Bake can put this year’s event in the ‘win’ column. It was, if possible, even more well attended than last year, and with so much to thank Hashem for, the crowd was in tremendous spirits. NCSY volunteers helped guests collect their supplies and find seats, as children immediately took off running with their friends from Talmud Torah. Although Beth Israel Synagogue was the venue, and host for the evening, people from all Edmonton shuls were represented, and some unaffiliated new friends as well.

The evening’s proceedings were once again facilitated by veteran Challah Bake emcee, Karen Sadovnick, who welcomed Christina Tsippora Reboh to the mic to offer words of welcome on behalf of BI. “Tonight’s about more than making challah,” explained Reboh. “We’re joining thousands of women, in over 1,500 cities, who’ve chosen to be a light. While the Shabbos Project has been around since 2013, it carries a much deeper meaning after October 7th. Across the world, we’ve seen Jews reconnecting with their roots, bringing traditions back into their homes, and redefining what Jewish identity means for them. And one of the most powerful ways that’s happened [is by] women coming together to make challah and countless more quietly committing to this mitzvah every single week.”

Reboh continued by elaborating on the symbolism of the components that make up challah: “Flour represents nourishment, feeding our bodies and our souls. Water symbolizes Torah and wisdom. Yeast reminds us to rise, to grow, to reach new heights. Eggs represent the gift of life. Sugar is sweetness! – the kind we hope to bring into our homes and communities. Salt enhances flavor and, like the Jewish people, it never spoils. And oil reminds us of holiness and majesty, like the oil used in the Temple.”

As generations of women gathered shoulder-to-shoulder preparing to make challah, Reboh noted soulfully that it is a blessing to share these moments with daughters, and then proudly look on as they take over on their own in the kitchen. “There’s something magical about the whole process. The therapy of kneading dough. The heavenly smell that fills your home. That first warm bite of homemade challah. It’s joy. You feel it in your soul. Through this mitzvah, you’re bringing light and blessing into your home. You’re deepening your connection to Judaism and to Hashem. You’re taking something physical and turning it into something divine.”

This magnificent description was an inspiring way to begin the evening, and imbued the process of creating the dough with the warmth of spiritual connection.

Jodi Zabludowski, the President of the Edmonton section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada then spoke to emphasize the 128-year-old organization’s commitment to initiatives like the Shabbat Project that uplift communities in the purest tradition of Tikkun Olam. Rebecca Asbell delivered well wishes on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, and prayers recited for the sick and injured, the State of Israel and all those working to keep it safe, and for those still not able to return home.

The gooey task of mixing ingredients for the dough could not have brought more delight to the group. Mothers donned rubber gloves and guided little hands as gobs of dough quickly adhered to all surfaces bringing instant smiles. Those ‘in the know’ brought their own aprons, while others fast abandoned any notion of staying clean: little flour hand prints all over black sweaters and skirts was the fashion of the occasion. Some dough rose seemingly instantly, while other batches took their time, yet, amidst all the chatter, nobody seemed to notice. Guests continued to nosh on delicious goodies lovingly prepared and provided by organizers, while little girls chased each other to the playroom.

My daughter Tamara (Tamar) and I had a wonderful time. She enjoyed seeing her school mates, comparing the doughiness of their hands, squishing ingredients, and laughing. She loves challah, and I thought that this would be simply a charming mother-daughter evening, but to my amazement, as her dough expanded, so did her sense of Tikkun Olam. On each table there were paper ribbons to write prayers on.  I asked Tamara, what she wanted to pray for so I could write it down for her. She paused with an almost comically serious ‘thinking face.’  “I pray that everyone in the world who wants challah can have some,” she said.  I wrote this down for her, pleased beyond all measure at the wisdom and humanity of my three-year-old, who with that one statement illustrated to me that she understands the vision of the Shabbat Project.

Every year, our favourite part of the Challah Bake is taking our dough home and braiding it. This year, Tamara’s brother Jacob was told it was a girls’ evening.  Despite protests, he stayed home, but was so happy to have his sister share her dough with him so that he could make his own challah.  All of this sticky, oily, chaos was facilitated by their big brother Benji, and soon all siblings were joyfully covered in dough.

The kids were off to bed, I took the challah out of the oven, covered it, and turned in.  Then, getting up to get everyone ready for work and school I peaked to see how the challahs looked, only to discover that half a loaf had ‘mysteriously’ disappeared overnight.  There was challah for breakfast, requests for challah in lunches, and I would be surprised to find any remaining to accompany dinner.

The greater Edmonton Jewish community is grateful to the Challah Bake organizers for all their hard work and dedication in bringing the Shabbat Project to Edmonton.  This is a tradition that does so much to strengthen and unite the local Jewish community.

Regan Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.