(Courtesy of Chabad NWBC) Five hundred challahs and Shabbat bags were distributed to families in Franklin Lakes and neighboring towns this past weekend as part of Chabad of Northwest Bergen County (NWBC)’s Shabbat500, a community-wide effort billed as “Get a Challah, Gift a Challah,” where participating families received a Shabbat bag and gifted another to a local friend.

The effort began on Thursday morning as volunteers came together to mix and roll hundreds of pounds of challah dough, thereafter braided into neat challahs and topped with three different spice options. While a few dozen were mailed to snowbirds in six different states down south, hundreds were picked up at Chabad throughout the day on Friday, starting in the early morning and ending before sundown.

The incredible program concluded by inviting all recipients to join together in unity and celebration on Zoom. Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan shared an inspirational message, sang Shabbat songs and encouraged everyone to kindle the Shabbat candle kit that came with the challah in a trendy, custom tote bag inspired by Lululemon.

Chabad has held over 100 unity events, programs and COVID relief efforts since March 2020.

For more information about future programs visit www.chabadplace.org or www.chabadplace.org/covidrelief for updates.