Feel the Knead to Make Some Challah Bread for the Holidays?

Why not start your Jewish New Year, also known as Rosh Hashanah, with a new twist tonight at  by attending a pre-challah bread making workshop?

Rosh Hashanah begins Thursday, Sept. 29, and will continue for two days until Friday, Sept. 30. 

Note that in the Jewish calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observant Jews will celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the sunset of Wednesday, Sept. 28. It is the first of the High Holidays or Yamim Noraim (“Days of Awe”), celebrated 10 days before Yom Kippur. 

As for the challah making, the workshop is being coordinated by the Jewish Women's Circle at the , located at 27631 La Paz Road at 7 p.m. Challah is a Hebrew word meaning bread. Historically, challah was reserved for eating on the Sabbath. It can also refer to the section of dough kept for the high priests in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Challah has served as a symbolic replacement of sacrificial offerings for almost 200 years. As a reminder of the offerings to the Temple, women would burn a piece of the dough after it had risen. Today, challah is only considered kosher if it "has been taken." The challah dough is typically prepared with flour, honey and eggs, and is coated in an egg wash before being baked to give it a golden color.

“Guests will learn classic Shabbat braids and the distinctive High Holiday twists of challah at the workshop,” said Rabbi Mendy Paltiel. “It's also a great time to revisit with old friends, meet some new ones all while tasting the wonderful bread.”

Kreinie Paltiel added, "There's something uniquely mystical about baking challah... kneading the dough is more than just combining ingredients. It's about a connection with Jewish women throughout all time and all cultures. And just ask anyone who's breathed the scent of challah baking, if that's an aroma from heaven, what is?" 

The cost of the event is $15. RSVP at the Chabad's web site or email kreinie@chabadlagunaniguel.com.