2,000 at Model Matzah Bakery

The Chabad Neshama Center attracted over 2,000 Jewish children from all walks of life to its incredible hands-on model matzah bakery and interactive Exodus experience. The children were totally involved in the process from separating the wheat from the chaff to baking matzah to marching through krias yam suf singing praise to Hashem, and left with their very own matzah and a stronger commitment to observe the holiday of Pesach.

During the week, the model matzah bakery was open only for schools. However, due to popular demand, on Sundays it was open to the public making the show available to anyone and everyone.

“The Chabad Neshama Center experience is the most tangible way my students can feel and live the meaningful insights into the slavery. It helped us to understand the history of the Jewish people in Egypt. Unfortunately, as Russian immigrants we were deprived of our Jewish Heritage and this opened our eyes to who we are and our Jewish roots. Thank you for this opportunity!” commented Natalia Shekhter, of Brighton Beach.

Dr. Richard Schwimmer, an enthusiastic supporter of the Model Matzah Bakery, brought his four-year-old granddaughter this year. “I wanted her to enjoy the hands-on experience of making her own matzah. According to her mother, that’s all my granddaughter talked about the next day.”

Rabbi Moishe Dovid and Leah Winner, Shluchim in West Brighton Beach, devoted an entire month to the success of this program. “Thank G-d we were able to accommodate and reach out to many public schools, modern day schools, special needs children, and to the general public,” said Rabbi Moishe Dovid Winner.

The East Flatbush Oholei Menachem Division was desperate to fill a slot for the children due to the sudden fire that erupted on Sunday afternoon in the building. Chaya Winner, program coordinator of Chabad of W. Brighton Beach, graciously extended the hours of the model matzah bakery giving the Oholei Torah Kindergarten classes a chance to learn and grow despite not having a classroom. “It was a beautiful day. We sent the children off on the buses to Brighton Beach to enjoy the Neshama Center’s model matzah bakery and lunch in the park overlooking the boardwalk. I can’t thank you enough for a fun-filled day! My teachers were in awe witnessing a professional hands-on model matzah bakery and exodus play with Leah Winner acting as King Pharoah and the students taking the roles of the Jews, Moshe and the Egyptians,” expressed Mrs. Faigie Hertzel, longtime and deeply beloved director of the preschool division of Oholei Menachem.

Chabad Neshama Center’s Model Matzah Bakery is in its eighth year. It was initiated and organized by the talented Rabbi Avraham Winner, director of Chabad of Manhattan Beach together with Rabbi Zushe Winner of West Brighton Beach. The center keeps moving forward with innovative programs that involve the community in meaningful activities that both entertain and teach Jewish children and parents about our Jewish heritage.