Braiding Community: YLD and JF&CS Challah Bake Brings Young Adults Together
August 22, 2025
On a warm Thursday night, July 31, the Young Leadership Division (YLD) of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and JF&CS Young Professionals came together for a unique blend of tradition, connection, and meaningful conversation—the YLD + JF&CS Challah Bake & Happy Hour.
Sixty young adults from across Jewish Atlanta gathered to braid challah, share stories, and explore the connection between baking and mental well-being.
This was the second program between YLD and JF&CS Young Professionals under the BeWellATL initiative, a collaboration that focuses on mental health for pre-teens through adults in their mid-20s. In the past, the two organizations hosted a Mental Health Shabbat. This time, they sought a more hands-on, creative way to engage participants.
Becca Langfelder, Director of YLD, says the Challah Bake proved to be the perfect vehicle. “Our facilitator from BeWellATL spoke about how the act of baking challah is an exercise in mindfulness—being present and engaging all your senses,” she explained. “She compared the ingredients in challah to the different parts of ourselves. Just like you can’t make challah without flour, eggs, sugar, and oil, we each need to tend to all the ingredients that make us whole.”
The room buzzed with conversation and laughter as novice bakers sought help from seasoned challah makers. Participants swapped family recipes, shared braiding techniques, and occasionally engaged in friendly competitions. While there were only two official “instructors” circulating the room, the participants naturally stepped in to help one another—a reflection of the community spirit YLD strives to nurture.
That spirit, Becca notes, is deeply aligned with Federation’s impact area of Jewish Engagement. “Providing a space for young adults to gather, connect, and participate in an inherently Jewish activity strengthens identity and belonging,” she said. “And because BeWellATL was at the center of the program, we also touched on our impact area of Caring for Those in Need by elevating mental health awareness and resources.”
Partnership was key. Federation and JF&CS convened the event and highlighted the essential services JF&CS provides, ensuring participants left with knowledge of where to turn if they—or someone they know—needed support. Becca sees this as a direct example of responsible, impactful use of donor funds. “Donor dollars made this possible. Even if just one person learned about BeWellATL and sought help, that’s making a difference. And for the other 59 people, they now carry that knowledge into the community. That ripple effect is powerful.”
She also sees events like this as the starting point for future leaders in Jewish Atlanta. “All of our leaders started out by showing up. These programs are the first step—once someone is engaged, we can help them find their path toward deeper involvement, leadership, and giving back.”
In a final touch of intergenerational connection, volunteers from JF&CS prepared “challah kits” in advance—measuring flour, sugar, and other ingredients—literally handing the next generation the tools to create something beautiful.
As the night ended and participants left with dough ready for Shabbat, they also carried home a deeper sense of community, purpose, and belonging.