Staff photos by Angie Baan

41,

Alyssa Aguilar helps her daughter, Sarah, 2, decorate a challah cover, while Sarah's grandma, Karen
Lovinger of Farmington Hills, observes.

The Art
Of Baking

*

ALANimik.

Mallory Baker, 8, of West Bloomfield gets her challah ready
for baking.

A family program brings together
the scents of paint, clay and bread.

She'll Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer

A

plan that began as a way for artists to learn about Judaic items became a program for families to
learn how to bake challahs.
A rabbi was contacted during the planning of "Hiddur Mitzvah: Beautifying the
Commandments:' an art exhibition at the Janice Charach Gallery at the Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield through Thursday, March 6.
"My husband [Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov of the Shul in West Bloomfield)] was asked to give a class for those
who would be creating religious art for the exhibit," Itty Shemtov said. "He taught about the history and
laws of these religious items. As they talked about the challah board and challah cover, the class wanted to
know about challahs. That's when he said, 'Talk to my wife.'"
So, in an upstairs room at the gallery, Shemtov demonstrated challah making at a Feb. 10 program spon-
sored by the Sherrill Berman Children's Art Education Fund.
"We made the dough and shaped it and
everybody was able to take it home and bake it
there," Shemtov said. "But we also baked some
on the spot so everyone could taste it:'
Shemtov told stories and taught about the
history of challahs, and the kids who partici-
pated decorated challah covers to use at home.
The family program was multi-generational,
with "a lot grandmas" attending, Shemtov said.
A few of the participants had never baked chal-
lahs before. "Even one or two of the grandmas
were first timers:' she said.
But for Shemtov, that's hardly the case. She
has taught adult classes in the past, and on
Thursday evenings conducts a challah baking
class for young families at her home. "We call
it a "PJ party" and the parents accompany kids ,
who come dressed in pajamas:' she said. ❑
Mussi Shemtov, 5, colors her challah cover while Esther

Shamayeva, 18, both of West Bloomfield, braids challah.

Lisa Kravitz and Jordyn Kravitz, 6, of Farmington Hills
work together on the project.

February 14 • 2008

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