Popular event with a twist : The Mega Challah Bake is coming

The Mega Challah Bake is coming to Montreal on Thursday, September 11. It is expected to attract 1,000 women from all walks of life and affiliations. Equipped with apron, flour, water and eggs, attendees will each knead and shape their own challah, in what is being billed as an evening of “inspiration, celebration and solidarity with Israel.”

The Mega Challah Bake has become cultural phenomenon, selling out in cities across the US and Canada, including Toronto, which recently sold out with 1,500 attendees. The popularity of these events seems to reflect a trend to a newfound interest in the ancient ritual of making challah. “Challah represents a universal nurturing element, one that brings blessing into a home” says Shterna Samama, one of the organizers of the Montreal event. “As an ancient mitzvah, it has important cultural and emotional significance.” 

Creating together as a group, Samama says, allows women to tap into that meaning, while making a statement of solidarity as a community. 

Given the difficult summer that Israel, and by extension the Jewish community worldwide has experienced, organizers feel that an evening of unity and solidarity with Israel before the Jewish High Holidays is timely and important.  “A mitzvah for Israel that is wonderful and nurturing”, asks Samama with a smile, “is there anything better?”

The Montreal Mega Challah Bake is being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 6600 Cote De Liesse, and is co-sponsored by all Chabadcenters in the greater Montreal area.  The event is open to women and girls aged 16 and up. Tickets are $20 if purchased before September 1 or $25 after that date. Tickets are by advance purchase only.  As the event has sold-out in previous cities, organizers advise early reservations to avoid disappointment.   For more info, go to www.megachallah.com  or  facebook.com/megachallahmtl.

Here is a look at a previous such event.