1,000-Plus Prepare for ‘Mega Challah Bake’

If there was a Guinness World Records category for the most women ever baking challah at once, then those participating in an upcoming event in Ontario, Canada, would definitely be in the running.

Dubbed the “1,000 Women Mega Challah Bake,” the May 14 program has already surpassed its target registration number, resulting in a change of venue—the new facility, the Terrace Banquet Centre in Vaughn, can hold up to 1,500 women—with less than a week to go before the big day.

The Wednesday-evening event is being sponsored by some 25 Chabad Houses throughout Southern Ontario, including those in the cities of London and Hamilton, along with some university-based Chabad centers.

“This isn’t just about a number and PR,” insists Goldie Plotkin, Chabad emissary to Thornhill, Canada, and one of the event’s organizers. “It’s about what happens when women bake challah. Tradition tells us that when a woman bakes the challah, she can bring so many blessing to her family. What if 1,000 women were able to pray and meditate and bring blessings? What kind of energy would that bring to our homes, our families, our community?

“Imagine if 1,500 women could do that! What could that accomplish?”

Among those who plan to attend are Lisa White and her 21-year-old daughter, Emily, who will travel about an hour each way from Guelph, Ontario, to participate in the festivities. It will be the second Chabad-sponsored challah bake White has joined; the previous one in January was more local, attracting some 60 people.

“We had something similar in Guelph … it was a nice experience and I had a lot of fun, and this one is a long the same lines,” White says. “I really liked making challah. It was communal, with good conversation.

Plus, she adds: “It’s a mitzvah,” an opportunity to “do some good.”

‘Sadness Into Something Good’

It will also be an opportunity for women and girls (16 and older, although a few younger girls are attending) from diverse backgrounds to come together and pray for those in need, whether they are friends, family or neighbors.

According to Kabbalistic teachings, says Plotkin, every ingredient used in the making of challah “reflects a different foundation of spiritual energy and blessing.”

For instance, she explains, water represents the Torah. “So when we put in the water, we will focus on family, that G‑d should bless our families to follow the Torah. Yeast represents growth because it expands, meaning your family should grow and expand—physically, emotionally.”

And the list goes on as the ingredients come together to provide blessing for joy (sugar), for material necessities such as a job or income (flour), for life and healthy children (eggs), and more.

In addition to simply baking twisted loaves to be eaten at the Shabbat table commonly known as challah, the women will be separating a portion of the dough (also called challah) to be burnt in accordance with the mitzvah of tithing. Taking challah is a reminder that whatever the Jewish people are given is not for their use alone.

The event is being held in the memory of two Chabad emissaries—Rashi Minkowicz, 37, and Rivki Barber, 49—both of whom recently passed away, leaving behind young children and a community that is hoping to turn their sadness into something good.

Noting that a connection—a “synergy”—exists among the emissaries, Plotkin says they were all touched by the unexpected deaths, regardless of whether they knew Rivki and Rashi personally.

“Rivki was a childhood friend,” says Plotkin. “Our mothers are best friends, and we went to school together and camp together. One of the things we all know about her is that she was full of life and joy and positivity.

“In essence, she’d say: Thank you for doing something positive in the wake of this tragedy.”