Baltimore, MD - May 10, 2026 - On a meaningful Thursday evening, the aroma of fresh dough and the spirit of sisterhood filled the JUSA Chabad House as women from across the region gathered for the inaugural Women’s Challah Bake. The event was held in special recognition of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, observed annually on the Friday before Mother’s Day, to honor the resilience and sacrifices of those whose partners serve in the armed forces, whether active duty or reserves.
The evening was a collaborative effort between the Jewish Uniformed Services Association (JUSA) of Maryland Chabad and the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Maryland Free State Post 167. The turnout reflected a wide geographic reach, with participants like military spouse Chaya Sara Ceitlin traveling from Annapolis to participate in the tradition.
A Vision of Appreciation
The concept for this unique event was manifested by Dan Berkovitz, Commander of JWV Post 167, who recognized the vital importance of showing tangible appreciation for the work military spouses do.
“Spouses do so much to support their other half serving or having served in the military,” Berkovitz noted. “It is vital that we recognize the important work that spouses do for our military. We hope to grow this event for next year and the year after.”
The Mitzvah of Connection
Rebbetzin Chani Tenenbaum, who hosted the event, shared the deep spiritual roots of the gathering and its connection to modern acts of service.
“The mitzvah of Challah originates from Biblical times, when the Jewish people would give a portion of their dough to the Kohen,” Tenenbaum explained. “Today, we continue that beautiful tradition of giving through acts of kindness and caring for one another. It was incredibly special to bring together at JUSA Chabad House a group of women connected to our local heroes for this meaningful mitzvah and uplifting experience.”
For many attendees, the act of kneading and braiding served as a physical metaphor for the strength required of military families - weaving together different strands of life into a single, strong whole.
Strengthening the JUSA Women’s Society
The Challah Bake also highlighted the impact of the JUSA Women’s Society, a program dedicated to providing a space for connection, inspiration, and community for women within the military and uniformed services circle.
Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, Director of JUSA Chabad, noted that the event was a powerful way to bring these women together. “There was no better way to kick off our activities for the JUSA Women’s Society than with our Military Spouse Appreciation Challah Bake,” he said. “Seeing the camaraderie, strength, and unity among the military spouses while participating in the special mitzvah of Challah was truly inspiring.”
He concluded by highlighting the ultimate goal of the organization: “As our military families sacrifice so much for our country, it is important that they also have moments of connection, inspiration, and community.”
As the women left with their braided loaves ready for the oven, the message of the night was clear: while their spouses serve the country, the community is here to serve and support them.
