Brandeis Challah Bake Raises Funds for Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict

A challah bake at the Brandeis Hebrew Academy that was planned with the Shabbat Project took on a larger meaning this year in the shadow of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

The Brandeis Parents’ Association, along with Shabbat Project, a grassroots movement dedicated to uniting Jews, hosted the women-only challah bake on Nov. 2, at the Lawrence school. Esther Demarco, parents’ association co-president had previously planned for a challah bake, but decided to make it more Israel oriented since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

“Everyone feels like they want to do something,” Demarco said. “It’s kind of hard when you’re in another country, there’s only so much you can do, so, we’re raising money for five different charities.”

Over 100 participants registered for a $36 bowl, full of ingredients, an Israeli flag, Israeli pins and candles. In the past, this challah bake was open to all ages, but shifted its tone, Elena Lederman, parents’ association co-president said.

“Instead of doing it family friendly, we decided to add a little serious aspect to it, just because of the events going on,” she said.

When attendees arrived, they could donate to five different causes including Beehive Play School in Ramat Gan, Israel, Jewish National Fund, supporting the land and people of Israel, Magen David Adom, an emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood service, United Hatzalah, a volunteer emergency medical service organization and ZAKA Search and Rescue, a rescue and recovery organization.

Karen Nessim, former parents’ association president and her daughter, Rachel Friedman, a former Brandeis student attended the event in honor of the hostages held by Hamas.

“The school holds a special place in my heart, but of course the whole war in Israel and all of the hostages, we’re really here to kind of let them know that we haven’t forgotten them, that it really is the priority to get them home,” Nessim said. “It’s a little sad because I feel that the focus has shifted from getting the hostages released. I just feel like it’s important for us to remind everybody there are almost 300 hostages, who, hopefully they’re going to be able to return home and know that we didn’t forget about them and we’re doing all these things to remind people.”

The parents’ association displayed all of the hostage’s names alongside blue and white candles.

“People forget that they’re faces and names,” Friedman said. “It makes it personal, you might not know them but maybe you know someone who has the same name, it makes it very personal for you.”

Local vendors including Lollibop Cafe & Play in Lawrence donated dinner for attendees.

Smagar Prager was invited to lead making the challah dough, because of her reputation as a strong community speaker, Lederman said. Prager advised the women to be communicating and leading within their homes.

“You are raising the next generation,” she said. “In order to raise your children, you have to talk to them.”

The event concluded with a prayer.