Compiled by Michelle Colesanti
Prince of Peace Advent Mission Information
Are you living God’s purpose for your life? Could God have more for you? Join in for a Radical Love event. Be empowered to become the person God has created you to be. Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd. in Sun City Center will be hosting Ken Yasinski, a nationally-known Catholic speaker, from Sunday-Wednesday, November 27-30 for their Advent Mission. Yasinski will present his mission talk, “Radical Love”, each evening at 6:30 p.m. in the church.
A repeat session will also take place each morning at 10 a.m. in the church. The talks are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.popcc.org or call 634-2328.
What’s Happening At Congregation Beth Shalom
Welcome the Sabbath at Congregation Beth Shalom on Friday evenings at 7:45 p.m. After the services, stay for Oneg Shabbat (nosh and mingle). All are welcome.
Page Turners – On Monday, November 21 from 6-7:30 p.m., join in for conversation and light dinner as The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis is discussed. Her first novel speaks to the Jewish community in Memphis, Tennessee.
Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 706 Bryan Rd. in Brandon. Call 681-6547.
Mega Challah Bake
Jewish women from all over Southern Hillsborough County are expected to join the Mega Challah Bake on Sunday, December 11. The event is hosted by The Chabad Jewish Discovery Center of Brandon.
The ‘Mega Challah Bake’ event has been held in major cities around the world in the past few months drawing thousands of women together. “This type of event empowers women in the sense that we can feel that we are part of something much bigger, united with Jewish women in our city and Jewish women throughout the world” said Tzippy Rubashkin Co-Director of Chabad of Brandon. “It’s a beautiful show of unity for all sections of the Jewish community to come together, drawing all women regardless of affiliation,” she said.
“The event is women-only because challah is specifically a “mitzvah” (a commandment or good deed performed out of religious duty) for women” she added “When a woman prepares challah all channels are open for her to ask for the blessings she needs in her life and in others’ lives.”
Traditionally, during the time of the temple, Jewish women used to prepare challah according to specific requirements and then break off a piece of the dough to give to the priests. That action symbolized that we recognize that everything we have comes from God and bread itself is important in Jewish tradition because it represents everything we have.”
Since the temple’s destruction, there haven’t been priests to whom the dough may be given. But Jewish women continue to make challah, removing a piece of the dough and making a special blessing as they do. Today in the absence of the temple the small piece of dough is burned.
Tzippy said she has held challah-making demonstrations in the past, but “doing this as a large, citywide event is extra-special. There is so much power when so many women are doing this together.”
“The ballroom will be set elegantly with round tables, with pre-measured ingredients at each place” she explained. “Each woman will mix her own dough and leave it to rise. While the dough rises, women will enjoy a dessert buffet, music and dancing. When they return, they’ll be able to shape two Challahs each” The loaves will be taken home for baking.
“The event will be held in close proximity to Chanukah in commemoration of the unique roll of the heroine Yehudis in the miracle of Chanukah and celebrating the unique roll of Jewish women today”.
Mega Challah Bake will be held December 11 at 6:30 pm at the Kings Point Clubhouse in Sun City Center. 2020 Clubhouse Dr. in Sun City Center. Tickets are $18 per person. Sponsor a table in honor of your mother, daughter or anyone special in your life for $180. For reservations, visit jewishbrandon.com/rsvp.
