Kneading Community

The Rise of the WHC Challah Bake

For the first time in nearly a decade, the scent of fresh dough and warm community spirit will fill the halls of Washington Hebrew Congregation as the WHC Challah Bake makes its long-awaited return. On Tuesday, January 20, from 6:00-8:30 pm, members and friends from across our congregation and the greater D.C. area will gather at Temple for an evening that mixes tradition, connection, and a little bit of flour-dusted fun.

Inspired by memories of the Sisterhood (now Women of WHC) Challah Bake nearly a decade ago, WHC Board member and Membership Committee Chair Kimberly Vogel had been envisioning an event that would bring together members from all areas of Temple life and welcome in their friends. 

Now in partnership with Cantor Susan Bortnick, Director of Membership Jen Millstone, and a fully engaged group of Temple members, including Sandy Nesbit (Women of WHC and past Sisterhood Challah Bake chair), Jeanne Fleming (Besters), Rick Woler (LGBTQ+), Carolyn Rivkees (2239), Linda Adams (Jews of Color), and Jessica Mullins and Vedia Eidelman, both professional bakers with children in our Religious and Upper Schools, the event is ready to roll.

Our lead baker will guide everyone step-by-step through the process of crafting the perfect challah. Tables will transform into mini bakeries, each stocked with everything needed to make two beautiful loaves. 

Why two? Because this event is about connecting the community. One loaf will head home with you — ready to bake, freeze, or show off proudly on social media. The second will be frozen, later baked at the Temple, and delivered to members who could use a little extra love: individuals recovering from illness or surgery, families who have recently experienced a loss, or those celebrating joyful new beginnings, like the arrival of a baby.

If you knead any help, experienced bakers will be stationed at every table to answer questions, offer tips, prevent dough disasters, and remind you that even if your braid looks a little… creative… it will still taste delicious. While the dough rises, everyone will pause for a well-earned break, a perfect chance to mingle, compare techniques, and sneak a look at what the next table is doing.

The Challah Bake is open to everyone — members, friends, families, neighbors, beginners, seasoned bakers, and anyone who thinks an evening surrounded by good people and good food sounds like time well spent. In other words, this is truly a congregation-wide effort, shaped by the diverse hands and hearts that make WHC so special.

Whether you join us to learn, to laugh, to taste, or to give back, we invite you to roll up your sleeves and dough something delightful as part of this joyful community experience. Come for the challah — stay for the warmth it brings.