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Mega Challah Bakeoff Sets Record at Bat Mitzvah

by Jessica Naiman – Chabad.org

Approximately 400 young girls and women joined together for a massive baking project in Northern New Jersey that organizers asserted could be the largest such event in the world.

The Thursday night “Mega Challah Bake” at the Alex Aidekman Jewish Community Campus in Whippany, N.J., officially celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of Chaya Grossbaum, daughter of Chabad-Lubavitch of Livingston directors Rabbi Zalman and Toba Grossbaum. Although no records are kept on similar feats, attendees noted that the output of 800 loaves of the traditional Jewish bread was quite an accomplishment, especially considering that half of the bread was given away to others.

Grossbaum, who turned 12 in August, said that she wanted a meaningful Bat Mitzvah celebration that would give her peers and area women a chance to share in a meaningful project.

“There is no better way to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah than by doing actual mitzvahs,” she exclaimed.

Open to the entire Jewish community, the Oct. 14 event drew women and girls aged 10 and up from all segments of the community. People with special needs took part in the bakeoff, and a sign language interpreter was on hand for deaf participants. Each person created her own two “Loaves of Love,” one to keep and the other to give to someone in need.

“I love the awareness Chabad has about taking care of people in need,” commented June Schechner, a family friend who knows the Grossbaums through the local chapter of the Friendship Circle, a Chabad-Lubavitch program that pairs teenage volunteers with children with special needs.

“All of us were instructed to give one loaf to someone who’s lonely, sick, needy or in the hospital,” she added. “I couldn’t think if a more beautiful way to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah.”

Schechner attended the party with her own mother and her 12-year-old daughter Ruby; they were one of many intergenerational groups to enjoy the event.

Article Continued (Chabad.org)

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11 Comments

  • Proud Lubavitcher!

    what an unbelievable accomplishment! such a beautiful idea! what an inspiration!!! MAZAL TOV! May you continue to inspire Klal Yisroel and give our Rebbe Emmese Chassidishe Nachas!

  • ssc

    we love to see the tznius shluchos with their mekurivim doing this incredible mitzva / activity

  • chaya PA

    goooo chaya grossbaum it was an awesome event! i was sooo happy to be there
    i love you!!!

  • This can be done around the world!

    Beautiful idea – and so well organized.
    Can you please print a copy of the recipe? It seems like the amounts were configured for 2 challos (but its too hard to read clearly in the picture). Thanks!
    Mazal Tov!