More than 250 women and girls gathered at The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford one recent Sunday, to learn about the fine art of baking challah for Shabbat – as well as the traditions it encompasses — at the “Mega Challah Bake,” organized and hosted by Chabad of Greater Hartford.

“If our Matriarch Sarah were to walk into this room, she might be puzzled by the large screens and cell phones at every seat — but then she would look around and see the dough and hear the same blessing that has been recited for thousands of years. Perhaps she would break into a big smile and feel right at home,” said event organizer Shayna Gopin, in welcoming participants. “This event is even more special as it is in the year of hakhel, gathering. During Temple times, every seven years Jews of all ages and stages in life would gather at the Temple for a tremendous display of Jewish pride and unity. This is a year to gather and reaffirm our Jewish values.”

“After we make the dough, we take off a piece to acknowledge that everything we are fortunate to have and be able to give to others, is a blessing from God,” Miriam Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford told those gathered.

CAP: (l to r) Jennifer Grosberg, her daughter Talia, and Aviva Braunshweiger had a blast mixing the dough for challah. Photo credit: Shana Sureck Photography