Jewish women gather in Prospect Park to make challah

May 15, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Sara Briman (l.), an international challah award-winner, and Chaya Hecht demonstrated for nearly 300 Jewish women how to make challah bread during Challah On The Park in Prospect Park on Thursday night. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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Challah if you hear me.

Nearly 300 Jewish women from all over brownstone Brooklyn packed into the Prospect Park Picnic House to learn the spiritual secrets and customs of making challah bread during Challah On The Park on Thursday night.

Separating challah is a sacred tradition among the Jewish people and one of three mitzvot uniquely connected to women.

“I find incredible strength among women and it feels magical to be here in this room this evening,” said Marcie Roth. “The mitzvah of Hafrashat Challah, separating challah, provides every woman with the unique ability to bring Hashem’s blessing into the home.”

The event allowed Jewish women to get together for the custom regardless of their level of religiosity for a fun evening.

“To me, challah is an opportunity, as it enables me to connect with my heritage and to connect with my daughters,” Roth said. “It also enables my daughters to touch the elderly in our neighborhood when she delivers the challah on Friday afternoon.”

“My hope is that we can leave here tonight inspired to find special challah moments in our everyday interactions with our family, friends and community, and together we can make this world a more holy and peaceful place,” said Chaya Hecht.

Assisting the women in making the challah was Sara Briman, an international challah award-winner. Briman, a Mexico City native and resident, has been involved with baking and teaching for more than 20 years. Every year she bakes more than 300 challahs for Rosh Hashanah. In 2013, she won the Five Star Diamond Award for the best challah in the world.