Because of You, I Have a New Perspective on Mental Health
Written by Makaela, Young Leadership Division (YLD) Participant
Because of you, I discovered that taking care of our mental health can start with something as simple—and as sacred—as baking challah.
Thanks to Federation’s partnership with JF&CS’ BeWellATL initiative, I joined nearly 60 other young adults for a Young Leadership Division and JF&CS Young Professional’s community challah bake. BeWellATL is dedicated to strengthening the emotional and mental health of our Jewish community. It offers resources, workshops, and programs that meet people where they are—especially teens and young adults—helping us feel less alone and more supported.
That evening, our facilitator from BeWellATL guided us to see the connection between baking and mental health. To make challah, you must be present—using your senses, being patient, noticing the small changes in texture and smell. Just as challah needs every ingredient to become whole, each of us needs care for all the different “ingredients” that make up who we are. This event reminded me that paying attention to those pieces—our stress, our relationships, our self-worth—is how we stay grounded and resilient.
The most moving part wasn’t just the dough rising, but the way our community rose together. Strangers leaned over to help braid challah, share tips, or pass along family stories. We laughed, learned, and connected—not just to each other, but to the message that mental health is part of Jewish health.
Because of you, programs like this are reaching people in powerful ways. Even if just one person at that event walked away knowing where to turn for help, or feeling less isolated, that is impact. And for all of us, it was an introduction to the deeper network of care that BeWellATL, JF&CS, and Federation provide, from everyday tools for self-care to the clinical services at JF&CS.
Supporting engagement events like this in our community means supporting a generation that is learning to talk openly about mental health, lean on community, and carry Jewish tradition forward with strength. I left with a warm challah for Shabbat, but also with the warmth of knowing that our community takes mental health seriously—and that is because of you.