(Courtesy of Fleetwood Synagogue) Fleetwood Synagogue in Mount Vernon, New York recently held its annual challah bake and there was no shortage of dough, toppings and fun.

Bakers as young as a few months were on hand for the messy fun, with toppings and fillings including chocolate chip, raisins, cinnamon, and various colored sprinkles. During the time needed for the dough to rise, Associate Rebbetzin Gabrielle Dayan gave a poignant dvar Torah on the halacha of hafrashat challah (taking the dough) and connected it to the difficult times we face.

Bakers enjoyed a festive dinner and brought the challahs home to bake. Each attendee received a special keepsake display with the bracha for hafrashat challah and a custom-made challah recipe card.

This was Fleetwood Synagogue’s third annual challah bake. The tradition was started by Rabbi Yosef and Eliana Cohen when they moved to the community in 2022. Since then, just as a challah grows, the rabbinical staff has grown, with the addition of Associate Rabbi Zaki Dayan and an annual rabbinic intern. This year’s rabbinic intern is Rabbi Yosef Rybak.