Challah Baking for the Deaf

Fun and tradition know no language barriers, as members of the Jewish deaf community of Riverside, California discovered at a recent Challah-making workshop.

Rabbi Shmuel Fuss and his wife, Tzippy, welcomed about 15 children and adults to the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Riverside on June 17 to learn how to make the traditional braided Jewish loaves.

Led by Joshua Soudakoff of Los Angeles, a deaf yeshiva student, the entire workshop was conducted in American Sign Language. To make it easy to follow along, a Powerpoint presentation detailed the steps of preparing the Challah. When participants were ready to tackle their dough, a video featuring Mrs. Fuss braiding a six-strand Challah illustrated how to assemble the loaves.

The happy Challah-makers took their bread home to share with others.

Riverside is home to dozens of deaf Jewish residents, many living in close proximity to the California School for the Deaf.

Rabbi Fuss said the workshop is just one example of Chabad’s ongoing efforts to reach the deaf community and make Judaism accessible to all Jews. Passing along Jewish traditions is an important part of that effort.