On a cool Southern California evening on November 10th, 500 Jewish women gathered from all across the Conejo Valley and Ventura County at the Westlake Hyatt to make challah-babka.
It was without a doubt the largest Challah-Babka Bake in the area, duplicated only once seven years before, as a Challah Bake, sans the babka.
Starting with an exquisite dessert buffet in the foyer, the program then moved into the ballroom where the women were treated to musical entertainment featuring the LA Women’s Chorale, the sensational, international singer Noa Dori, and a rendition of Hinei Mah Tov which had all the hundreds present singing together in unity, at this grand Hakhel event.
A project of 12 Chabad Houses, and spearheaded by Mrs. Devorah Leah Heidingsfeld of Chabad of Moorpark and Mrs. Shula Bryski of Chabad of Thousand Oaks, the evening showcased 13 shluchos throughout the program, leading in tehillim and tzedakah, hafrashah, a prayer meditation, live demos of challah making and braiding, and ending with a roll call of all twelve cities and dancing.
The women left the Bake with customized aprons, pastry brushes, bowls, recipes, trays of challah-babka, and the warmth of friendship.
