This week, the Yavneh Academy Chesed team members joined together for a Pink Challah Bake in support of Sharsheret. They discussed the mitzvah of challah and how the name “challah” became what we call Shabbat bread. Baking challah has become an auspicious time for tefillah and to connect to Hashem, and the children were asked to think of someone who needs a refuah shelaima as they made their challot. Additionally, challah bakes have spread all across the world to daven for the hostages and to keep them in mind.

The evening ended with an explanation of another Shabbat mitzvah, candlelighting, which is a special time for tefillah and asking Hashem for what we need. Each student received two yellow tealights in a package with a card that included the name of a hostage who has not yet been freed. The card also featured tefillot for the hostages, the Israeli army and our brothers and sisters in Israel. Participants were asked to place the cards by their candles so that they can be used each Friday as candles are lit.