A taste of Tradition

Naperville, IL — It’s a simple recipe that has been passed down through generations of Jews for thousands of years.

Still, matzah isn’t something people usually bake themselves.

Because the flat, unleavened bread is a focal point of the Passover meal and plays a significant role in Jewish history, Rabbi Mendy Goldstein and his wife, Alta, invited children in Naperville’s Jewish community to make matzah by hand the way their ancestors once did.

On Monday, the Goldsteins recreated the “Model Matzah Bakery” in their Naperville home. The event was one of many activities offered by Chabad of Naperville, an organization dedicated to increasing the awareness, knowledge and observance of Judaism in the Naperville area. Goldstein, director of Chabad, said programs like these give both children and adults a hands-on opportunity to learn more about their Jewish history.

Some 30 children wearing chef hats worked at long tables typically found in real matzah bakeries. They mixed flour and water, then kneaded, rolled and shaped the dough by hand, all within 18 minutes, the maximum amount of time before the dough would begin to rise. They baked the dough in a conventional oven covered with a brick facade to resemble brick ovens used in real matzah bakeries found in only select communities around the world.

Matzah is a form of bread that dates back several thousand years. If baked immediately after kneading and before it can rise, it becomes flat and dense, almost cracker-like rather than light and airy like conventional bread.

Goldstein said he wanted to make the experience as authentic as possible while still being fun and educational.

“Children have the most fun when they come,” he said. “They love getting their fingers full of dough, rolling it and shaping it. The hands-on experience gives them a real thrill as well as a great education.”

And it’s not just for kids, said Goldstein. Some 15 adults accompanied the children and learned about matzah making as well.

“Adults enjoy the experience immensely, too,” Goldstein said. “Most have no idea of what real matzah is all about and they come away with a great sense of knowledge and pride.”

The eating of matzah in the place of any leavened or conventional bread is seen as a divine commandment during the Jewish holiday of Passover which commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. According to Jewish history, matzah was made and eaten by the ancient Hebrews as they fled the country and had no time to wait for the dough to rise.

Members of the Jewish community will celebrate Passover beginning at sundown on Monday. Goldstein said the holiday not only celebrates the freedom of the Jews but is a message to people to free themselves from challenges that keep them from getting in touch with their spiritual side so that they may become closer to God.