On Wednesday evening, November 13, Chazaq hosted its highly anticipated Mega Challah Bake at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, in partnership with the global Shabbos Project. Hundreds of women of all ages attended this uplifting event, designed to celebrate and rediscover the beauty of Shabbos. The evening featured words of inspiration from Mrs. Jackie Bitton and an exclusive challah-baking demonstration by Mrs. Dalia Cohen, creating a night filled with meaning, connection, and tradition.
The Shabbos Project, with its powerful motto, “Keeping It Together,” empowers women to embrace unity and the transformative beauty of Shabbos. This global grassroots movement brings together Jews of all backgrounds and levels of observance to experience the joy, peace, and serenity of keeping a full Shabbos together. It is a reminder that Shabbos is far more than just a day of rest; it is an opportunity to create joy, meaning, connection, and love – qualities that enrich the soul and elevate the Jewish spirit.
The Shabbos Project began in South Africa in 2013, spearheaded by Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein, with the goal of uniting the South African Jewish community. Its impact was immediate and extraordinary – hundreds of women gathered to bake challah in the streets, thousands joined outdoor Shabbos dinners, and many experienced the beauty of a full Shabbos for the first time. By 2014, the project had become a global movement, powered by passionate volunteers who inspired their families, friends, and communities to take part.
Today, the Shabbos Project reaches millions of participants worldwide. From Swaziland (eSwatini), South Africa – where the Jewish community of 18 families gathered for a communal Shabbos meal – to Conway, Arkansas – where a handful of Jews felt part of a global Jewish family for the first time – the initiative has connected people in ways that transcend borders. In just over a decade, the Shabbos Project has grown to include presentations in ten languages, spanning over 100 countries, 1,500 cities, and over one million participants. The impact of this grassroots movement is immeasurable.
This year’s Shabbos Project took place on Shabbos Kodesh Parshas VaYeira (November 15-16). Jews from all walks of life – young and old, observant and less so – came together to experience the power of Shabbos as a unifying force. Shabbos is more than a day of rest; it is a declaration of Jewish identity, pride, and shared values. It offers a chance to transcend differences, unite as a people, and build a vibrant Jewish future.
Chazaq’s Mega Challah Bake played a significant role in this year’s Shabbos Project, providing hundreds of participants with a deeply enriching experience. The event began with heartfelt inspiration from Mrs. Jackie Bitton, followed by a masterful challah-baking demonstration by Mrs. Dalia Cohen. Women in attendance not only learned practical techniques, but also gained meaningful insights into the deeper significance of Shabbos and challah.
The program was made possible through the generosity of sponsors, including JInspire Queens, QJCC, KGH Doc, YIKGH Women’s League, RK Hosiery, Petit Perfection, Café Muscat & Catering, eMenu International, and public funds from the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, in partnership with NYC Council Member James F. Gennaro.
“It was a truly uplifting experience filled with warmth, community, and tradition,” said Council Member Gennaro to the packed crowd of women. “I am honored to have helped fund this event. I’d like to thank Chazaq for hosting the challah bake and for the opportunity to connect with my neighbors through this beautiful mitzvah.”
Participants left the event inspired, equipped with new opportunities to share Shabbos with others. Shabbos is the ultimate expression of Jewish identity and unity – a weekly gift that has kept our people strong for thousands of years. Together, we stand united, proclaiming to the world: Am Yisrael Chai!
