Bakers learn a variety of challah braiding techniques at a Loaves of Love braiding workshop.

More than 100 women came together for an afternoon of food, fun, and friendship – and a hands-on lesson in how to bake the perfect challah – on Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Benet Rothstein Chabad Jewish Center in Glastonbury. The women, participants in “Loaves of Love” – an annual event hosted by The Woman’s Touch and Hadassah – each baked two challahs: one for themselves and one for a friend who might need a ‘lift.’ Each woman then chose from a variety of recipes, made the dough from scratch, braided, shaped and garnished the loaves, and popped them in the oven.

“People are looking for ways to make this world a more loving, kinder place. Loaves of Love is truly a fun and meaningful way of reaching out to others with love,” said Yehudis Wolvovsky, director of The Woman’s Touch, a Jewish women’s league that hosts social and educational programs to add meaning to Jewish life.

Erika Schwartz of Glastonbury Hadassah agrees. “We are delighted to join in such a wonderful program that brings women together and allows us to give back to those in need,” she said.

Interested in hosting your own challah baking party?  Call Yehudis at (860) 659-2422, email her at Yehudis@ChabadER.com, or log on to www.ChabadER.com.