Fort Worth — The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth & Tarrant County recently hosted a one-of-a-kind Young Adult Campaign Event, where Kim Factor, Jenny Solomon and Cindy Simon taught 30 participants the art of making challah.

Factor and Simon shared their favorite challah recipes, along with the history behind each one. Factor’s recipe came from the family of beloved Fort Worth community member and Holocaust survivor Brigitte Altman. Simon’s recipe was passed down from her Auntie Marilyn of Toronto, Ontario. Marilyn’s parents met in the Feldafing Displaced Persons Camp near Munich, Germany, where she was born.

Factor brought enough dough for each participant to make a large challah and also sent them home with bags of ingredients — flour, oil, and more — to bake again later. Goody bags included measuring spoons, a pastry brush, and sesame and poppy seeds.

Kunaal Bantwal served as an enthusiastic volunteer. Simon’s recipe uses a breadmaker, and Bantwal demonstrated how to add the ingredients for the dough’s first mix and rise. In contrast, Factor’s recipe is entirely handmade.

Factor, Solomon and Simon all expressed joy in sharing the tradition. “You could also see the joy on the faces of the young adults,” Simon said. “They were inspired and amazed at their own challah-baking skills. L’dor v’dor.”

To attend the event, each participant pledged a minimum of $36 to the Federation’s 2025 Annual Campaign. While the challahs were baking, Federation Executive Director Barry Abels spoke to the group about the Federation’s history, its role in the community, and the lasting impact of their support.

The evening concluded with a raffle — the prize was a breadmaker, and the lucky winner was Danielle Klein.

If you are a young adult, or know someone who would like to get involved with the Federation’s young adult groups — Tarrant County Twenties and Network Society — email Cindy Simon at c.simon@tarrantfederation.org.

—Submitted by
The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth & Tarrant County