More Than Six Hundred Attend the Great Big Rockland Challah Bake

by M.C. Millman

The Great Big Rockland Challah Bake lived up to its name as over 600 participants took home not only a beautifully shaped challah to bake, but the warmth, ruach, and achdus of an incredible evening.

As the enchanting room decorated with blue streamers coordinated to match the table settings rapidly filled, the excitement built. Mothers, daughters, classmates (both elementary and from a number of high schools), neighbors, and friends donned their aprons and sat side by side as the evening began.

Mrs. Debby Jacobson, ASHAR principal and co-coordinator for the evening, along with Mrs. Jacquelyn Borgen, eloquently expressed what so many were feeling - gratitude for being able to join together as a community after two years of COVID shutdowns.

The event connected with thousands of other organizations worldwide in uniting women as they knead their challah dough and utilize the powerful ais ratzon of taking challah with a bracha. The evening was hosted by ASHAR in New City.

The video of last year's challah bake, which ASHAR students participated in alone so the chain of the annual experience would not be broken, was shown as the challah dough was kneaded.

The leibidik dancing at the end was the perfect ending to a night to be remembered.