Several weeks ago, on September 11, my friend Jill and I participated in the Loaves for Love project that the Jewish Community Center offered in conjunction with the Jewish Women’s Circle. Jill and I joined forces with other women to learn the history of challah, join in the rituals around it, and bake two loaves.
One to keep.
One to share with someone in need.
There is something intrinsic, particularly in women, that calls us to gather around the kitchen table and erase any lines that may appear to separate us. Baking bread on September 11 with women of all faith traditions offered a bit of hope in stark contrast to the barriers that seemed to prompt the attacks 13 years ago.
Mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends all rolled in, tied on their aprons, and got to work.
In gathering together I knew there was nothing I could do to go back to change the past, but I felt at least I could put in some energy and time to toward healing our present.
Jill with one of her challah loaves!
I wasn’t alone in my sentiment. 275 other women showed up!!
Can you imagine the hub of activity as each woman took her place at a table and started to knead with the common purpose of sharing the bounty?
Shouldn’t life always be like that?
Food is a sacred act when it’s prepared in this way. Communities are strengthened. These ancient rituals couldn’t have survived if it were any other way.
It’s not hard to imagine a grandmother patiently guiding little ones through the braiding of the challah and counseling them along the way about how the 3 strands represent truth, peace, and justice which should be braided in to one’s life as well.
I learned that the Judaic tradition of challah is rich. If you do a quick browse of challah history on Google, you’ll find out that it runs deep and long! I was grateful to be invited into this ritual act of bread and made to feel welcomed to by those whose heritage was different than my own.
This lovely woman made everyone at our table feel at home. She runs a store called Dor L’Dor locally, too!
Unfortunately, though my challah looked beautiful, it turned out pretty dense.
I chocked it up to some of the guesstimating I had to do and the fact that it slid around in the car on the way home and squished itself before I put it in the oven. I sympathized with it knowing that I get pretty dense, too, when I haven’t been given sufficient time to rise.
Still committed to the philosophy of sharing the bounty, I did so hesitantly (and, of course, Darrell ate everything that wasn’t shared despite the density!).
To appease myself, I followed up a week later with 3 loaves of sourdough whole wheat that I baked with the intention of sharing with the Middle School staff where I work.
I’m inspired by the Jewish Women’s Circle who not only sponsor this event but continue throughout the year to offer to bake a loaf of bread for anyone in need. They’re bringing light into the world one small loaf at a time. ….and they’re not the only ones!
After my Bread Basics class on Saturday, I got an email from one of the participants. Here’s a bit of what Barbara wrote,
“As for the breads, I shared my baking. I gave my half-loaf to my friend in Brockport who enjoyed it. I gave the rolls to my in-laws (much to my husband’s dismay) and they raved about them. My husband enjoyed the remaining bread.”
Here’s Barbara at Bread Basics doing the “windowpane” test. It’s the sole picture I have to remember that day!
While Loaves of Love was technically a one day event for me, it has broadened my thinking a bit. How can I be more inclusive in my life? What abundance do I have, bread or not, that can be shared? What can I learn about other traditions that might add a depth and richness to my own?
On Tuesday at SUNY Brockport, another sharing of history is going to take place that is free and open to the public. Eve Abrams, a survivor of Auschwitz, will be sharing her story. I’ll be there with a wide open heart to listen to her speak.
I’ll also be making more challah over the next week or so. I want to practice braiding, contemplate what I’m weaving into my own life, and experiment with shape and form. I’ll post some of my pictures but for those of you who are experienced challah bread makers, please feel free to share your tips, tidbits, or wisdom! update! See my challah results here!
Hope we all get the chance to have our hands together in the dough bowl soon!
Mary
Upcoming class at the Brainery
Upcoming class at Lightways Journey
