By Libby Chein
Annual Global Shidduch Bake 2025-5785 Erev Shabbos Nachamu, Friday, August 8/14 Av.
This year marks the 11th annual Global Shidduch Challah Bake, an initiative that unites women from around the world in a unique expression of achdus dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of our children to find their intended life partners and build “battei ne’emonim b’Yisroel (faithful homes amongst the People of Israel).
As a mother of eleven ka”h, this event resonates very powerfully for me personally. The number eleven carries special meaning. In Yosef ha’Tzaddik’s dream, eleven stars bowed to him, each one representing a brother, each one a vital part of something larger. A constellation within Jewish destiny. In my life as well, each of my eleven children is a world unto themselves. Somehow, Hashem entrusted me to carry and care for them all. I share these thoughts not as a professional or even as a shadchan, though I am both. I share them as a mother, a full-time working woman, a bubby, and someone who has been davening over dough for many years. I’ve kept names, hundreds of them, written, remembered and read in a sacred exchange between me and Hashem.
The sages tell us that shidduchim is, by its very nature, as challenging as the parting of the Red Sea. None of it makes logical sense; the timing, the connections, the unexpected yeses that lead to new beginnings. It was never about predictability. It was always about Emunah and Bitachon (faith and trust). This is the energy I bring each year that I participate in the Global Challah Bake, the Shidduch Bake which takes place on the Friday closest to the 15th of Av – an auspicious day for singles to discover their marriage partners.
As the 11th Challah Bake International approaches, women around the world are once again preparing to join in this sacred initiative. To those participating: You may have a long list of names to pray for. It may even be your own. You don’t need fancy words. Just stop. Close your eyes. Speak honestly to Hashem. That is Tefillah. That is power. That is what connects us across continents and generations. And if you’ve never done it before, perhaps this is the week to begin. One dough. One name at a time. One whispered prayer. Because somewhere, someone is waiting. And maybe, just maybe, your challah will carry their Tefillah home. Now more than ever before, the world needs your tefillos! Be a part of this opportunity and JOIN NOW.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Challah Bake International forms WhatsApp groups of 100 women and the names of their submitted “singles” are read by each woman in that group when challah is taken in their own homes. At the same time, each woman gives tzedakah and takes on a hachlota (an undertaking) to light candles or to motivate at least one other woman to light Shabbos candles. To boost the power of this moment, we suggest that to complete the circle of the 3 mitzvahs, women learn more about the Mikvah or donate to a mikvah of their choice – this is a segula for our singles to marry soon and fulfill the sacred mitzvah of Taharas Ha’Mishpacha – Family Purity. We will also offer an opportunity to donate to Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka.
IF YOU ARE HOSTING AN EVENT: You and your group can join individually or you, as a leader of a group or Shlucha, can sign-up and represent the women at your challah baking event.
HIGHLIGHTS: Last year all the names were read at the Ohel and will, Bez”H, be read again this year. In the spirit of Tzedakah, Tefillah and Torah, the participants will be watching an uplifting video with a message from Mrs. Raizy Mendelsohn, Wyoming, USA. Those who sign up early will receive a daily inspirational Torah thought from the desks of: Shterna Sarah Balkany, New York, USA; Rebecca Sarchi, Johannesburg, South Africa; Chana Shayna Gurewitz, Frankfurt, Germany; Simcha Abergel, Singapore; Keren Vardi, Jerusalem, Israel; Vivi Altabe, Marseillais, France; Rivky Cohen, Manchester, England; Miri Lipskier, Melbourne, Australia. The testimonials and photos from people who participated in last year’s event were truly heart-warming and inspirational, and came pouring in with love and appreciation, generating a feeling of having been part of a holy experience. This is your chance to experience that same feeling!
JOIN NOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK: https://challahbakeinternational.com/sign-up
May all our efforts, tefillos and ma’asim tovim be counted and answered l’tova b’korov!
