News

The aroma of yeast and sugar filled the air at the Boulder JCC on Thursday, November 6, as hundreds gathered for the 10th Annual Great Big Challah Bake. The incredible demand for this milestone event was apparent even before the doors opened, with registration hitting capacity well in advance.

More than just a baking event, the evening served as a powerful reminder of community strength, tradition, and shared joy, particularly after Executive Director Jonathan Lev acknowledged that it has been a “challenging year for the community, for the world, and for the JCC.” Addressing the eager crowd, Lev emphasized that what makes this event GREAT is not the challah, but the people, the community coming together.

The sentiment of resilience was palpable. Lev noted how the community appreciates everyone “standing with us, coming together in times of sorrow and also of joy.” The Challah Bake, hosted by the Women of the J, offered a meaningful space for connection and the comfort of tradition, a central element of Jewish Sabbath and holiday celebrations.

Attendees were ready to experience the joy of creating challah by learning to prepare and braid the traditional dough from scratch, then taking it home to bake for Shabbat. Later, while the dough was rising, participants paused for a dessert break, further cementing the communal and celebratory atmosphere.

In the aftermath of tragedy, competition for limited resources often intensifies, creating tension between organizations in need. Following the devastating antisemitic attack in Boulder on June 1, 2025, local Jewish organizations faced the familiar challenge of securing adequate crisis funding. The attack had shaken the community to its core, leaving physical damage, emotional trauma and urgent financial needs in its wake.