By Marion Dworcan
I was one of the close to 2,000 women who joined last year’s Challah Bake International.
But shortly after signing up for the bake, I realized I would not be at home in my South African kitchen, as we were traveling to the United States for a simcha! Not sure what to do, I asked a close friend to add my names to hers, which she did. Ever hear the saying, the Aibishter joins a good thought to a good deed? Well, guess what, a simcha needs a lot of challah and the Friday of the Challah Bake found me in my daughter in law’s kitchen, making a triple batch of challah for the guests at our grandson’s bar mitzvah!
So, happily, I was able to take challah and say all the names on my list BH!
In this way I was able to join so many other mothers around the globe, fulfilling the mitzvah of Hafroshas Challah together, focused on realizing the dreams of thousands of children to find their ‘bashert’.
In time zones stretching from Australia to California, from Canada to South America, we recited the same heartfelt tefillos for our children of marriageable age, together with all the names in our groups – an incredible demonstration of worldwide achdus-unity and the power of global tefillah.
This year, the Friday closest to Chamisha Asar B’av coincides with Friday, July 31/10 Av, Erev Shabbos Nachamu and marks the 6th year of CBI! This auspicious time is ideal for women to join not only in making challah, but also in giving tzedokah and davening for each other’s children of marriageable age – arousing Heavenly mercy for a significant, positive change in finding shidduchim for our children.
If you did not join in last year’s event, don’t hesitate! The goal is for over 2,000 women to join together this year! The way it works is that 100 baker-participants join each what’s app group, and the names of their submitted “singles” will be read by each woman in that group when challah is taken. At the same time, each woman gives tzedokah and takes on a hachlota to try to motivate at least one other woman to light Shabbos candles. To join, you submit the name/names of your single children, being careful to ensure the correct spelling of each name, and, if your own children are married, you can submit the names of other singles for whom you will be davening and baking (see link below to join).
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, we will be watching an uplifting video with a message from Mrs. Leah Namdar, Shlucha, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Those who sign up early will receive a daily inspirational Torah thought from the desks of:
Mrs. Chaya Shildkraut, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Mrs. Temmi Hadar, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mrs. Esther Piekarski, Tel Aviv, Israel
Mrs. Rochel Holtzkenner, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Mrs. Fruma Shapiro, Sydney, Australia
Mrs. Sternie Ginsburg, Brooklyn, New York
Mrs. Zisel Goldman, Kauai, Hawaii,
Mrs. Chani Krasnianski, Manhattan, New York,
Mrs. Rachel Jacobs, Birmingham, England
The three mitzvos specifically given to women are Challah, lighting Shabbos candles and Mikvah. To include all three mitzvos, each woman will be asked to try to influence one woman or girl who is not yet lighting Shabbos candles to start lighting Shabbos candles by this upcoming Rosh Hashanah and with regard to the third mitzvah, Mikvah, once again there will be an opportunity to contribute towards Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushkah through the Challah Bake. Not only is it a segulah for our singles to marry soon and fulfill the sacred mitzvah of Taharas Ha’Mishpacha – Family Purity, but is of great benefit to the Mikvah as well.
Rabbi Moshe Pinson, the founder of Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka, said that now, more than ever, our donations will help to continue the running of mikvah. He was amazed at the generous participation from our group last year, which was so helpful. Soon after the Challah Bake event, he traveled with a group to Alma-Ata, a city in Kazakhstan, for the Rebbe’s father’s yartzeit and made sure to print out the entire list of CBI singles and put them on Reb Levik’s kever.
The testimonials and pictures 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] .
