On Jan. 11, dozens of women donned white plastic aprons and collectively learned how to make Challah—the bread traditionally eaten on the Jewish Sabbath and holidays as part of The Jewish Family Initiative’s Challah Bake. The event drew more than 50 women to share Challah, camaraderie and conversation.
Led by Sheva Turk and Bracha Portnoy of The Jewish Heritage Center and JWRP, women set tables with individual pre-measured dough at each place. After an introduction by JFI’s Director, Rabbi Gruenstein, the Challah demonstration began.
Turk and Portnoy instructed the women and some of their children on the step-by-step process of mixing and kneading the dough. Some used three strands, some did four, and some even tried their hands at the more intricate six strand braid. Seasoned bakers offered a helping hand to excited first timers as the dough was formed into traditional Challah.
Many of the children had fun with arts and crafts projects and played on the indoor playscape, located on the campus of Hebrew Academy of Nassau County. This simultaneous free child care program was run by warm, spirited staff members of JFI and was topped off with great snacks for the children.
The JFI—a division of The Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island—is creating a hub of activities with dynamic, engaging and professionally run programs for Jewish parents and their children of all ages. These special programs are meant to meet the needs of the community.
For more information about The JFI or about free trips to Israel, contact info@jfi-li.com or visit www.jfi-li.com.
