VIDEO
by Temmi Hadar
Registration for the Annual Global Shidduch Bake 2023-5783 closes on Wednesday July 26 at Midnight.
Have you ever wondered what baking Challah and making Shidduchim have in common?
Aside from the obvious fact that they are both not necessarily as complicated as they look and the best way to become good at both baking challah and making Shidduchim is to practice, practice, practice.
A few years ago, I was invited to partake in the global Chamisha Assar B’Av Shidduch Bake, an inspiring initiative led by Challah Bake International.
Of course, I signed up. And not just because I am a recovering people pleaser. I signed up because who doesn’t know at least one single waiting for their bashert?
On the designated Friday, I prepared my challah dough, placing it beneath a towel to rise under the warm African winter sun. After a while, I brought the dough indoors, carefully washing negel vassar, giving tzedaka, and reciting the brocha for the mitzvah of Challah. Positioned next to me was my phone, displaying a list of names I had received. While some names were familiar, most were not. As I carefully read each name aloud, my children listened attentively by my side.
Closing my eyes, I envisioned each neshama yearning for their other half. I imagined their joyous wedding celebrations and the jubilation of their families as they danced and reveled in the Simcha and the bayis nemaan they would build together.
Standing in my Jo’burg kitchen, a realization washed over me—the weight of my prayers was joined by thousands of others that day. I contemplated the women in Australia, several hours ahead of us, sitting around their Shabbos tables, savoring the Challah they had previously beseeched upon. I envisioned a woman in New York waking up early before work, preparing her challah dough, her whispered prayers echoing through the sky a few hours after mine. I imagined women across the globe standing alone in their kitchens or congregating to bake Challah collectively, reciting the same names as I did, with the same bakasha as mine. In my mind’s eye, our hushed words soared upwards, converging into a powerful and unified Tefilah before Hashem.
The power of that moment was indescribable. Even my usually boisterous children, typically clamoring for their piece of dough the instant they spotted the bowl, remained silent, reverently absorbing the kedusha of that moment.
In this special year of Hakhel, join this extraordinary global initiative with thousands of women from around the world! The ninth annual Challah Bake International promises to be an unforgettable gathering, transcending borders and bringing together women from every corner of the globe.
Imagine baking challah within the walls of your own home while being virtually connected to countless other women. As you read the list of names, envision women from Africa to Argentina, Alaska to Australia and beyond, standing in their flour-dusted kitchens, engaging in the same mitzvah as you, with the same kavana. Women from diverse backgrounds and walks of life unite as a conduit to draw down the abundant blessings of shidduchim.
Last year, over 2,000 women joined! This Hakhel year, a particularly opportune time for gatherings, let’s surpass the success of previous years.
Seize the opportunity and JOIN NOW .
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Challah Bake International forms What’sApp 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 tzedokah and takes on a hachlota 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 segulah 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 Mushkah.
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, IY”H, be read again this year.
In the spirit of Tzeddakah, Tefillah and Torah, the participants will be watching an uplifting video with a message from Mrs.Freida Hecht, Connecticut, USA
Those who sign up early will receive a daily inspirational Torah thought from the desks of:
Chaya Hitin, Rehovot, Israel
Sorella Abrahams, Sydney, Australia
Yaffie Begun, Sao Paula, Brazil
Fraidel Laine, Panama City, Panama
Chana Perman,Toronto, Canada
Shayna Krybus, Toronto, Canada
Simcha Youngworth, Johannesburg, South Africa
Esther Vilenkin, New York, USA
Devorie Kreiman, California, USA
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, and 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, tefilos and ma’asim tovim be counted and answered l’tova b’korov!
For more information on how to join the CHALLAH BAKE or if you would like to join the group of women going to the OHEL the day of the event please visit: challahbakeinternational.com or email: [email protected]
So many people uniting all with one goal!