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ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — Nearly 200 women from across western North Carolina gathered Sunday at the Country Club of Asheville for a community-wide mega challah bake.
The event, hosted by the Asheville Jewish Women’s Circle, gave attendees of all skill levels a chance to learn how to make challah — the traditional Jewish bread — ahead of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which begins in September.
Organizers said the gathering also celebrated 20 years of the Jewish Women’s Circle.
“It is our largest women’s event,” said Chana Susskind, director of women and children’s programs for Chabad Asheville.
For some attendees, it was their first time making challah. Natalie Shaw said the event was about much more than getting the bread exactly right.
“Don’t worry if your challah isn’t perfect,” Shaw said. “It’s about friends and people being together and bringing in light.”
Susskind said the goal was to create a welcoming space where everyone feels included.
“We just want to make sure that no one feels alone,” Susskind said. “No one feels on the outside — everyone’s on the inside.”
This was the Jewish Women’s Circle’s second mega challah bake. Susskind said she hopes attendees leave with hope for the new year, new friendships and, of course, a fresh loaf of challah.
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