Once you have participated in the campaign, please share your feedback

by emailing sharemystory@projectinspire.com

Don’t forget to visit www.kiruv.com for other helpful and easy outreach tools and articles!

PROJECTINSPIRE.www.kiruv.com

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has already been implemented in several cities across America with impressive positive feedback!

Challah CampaignThe

“ “My friend, Kaila, always has extra challahs, so I encouraged her to give one to a non-Frum co-worker. After a particularly stressful day at work, Kaila gave the wrapped challah to her colleague and said, “I would like to share with you a taste of Shabbos.” With that, the woman burst into tears and told Kaila that she had always wanted to make challah for Shabbos, just like her mother had done. She was incredibly touched. -ChanaB.,Passaic,NJ““I often have extra challahs and I thought it would

be a great idea to share them with others. Since the campaign started, I’ve been giving out one challah every week to a non-religious or less affiliated neighbor of mine. They were all SO appreciative! -SaraB.,Queens,NY“

“I gave a challah to a non-Frum woman before Rosh Hashana and she was overwhelmed with emotion. We baked challah together on Erev Rosh Hashana and I encouraged her to go to a frum shul nearby for Yom Tov. After Yom Tov, she began taking kashrus classes and has since kashered her kitchen! The effect of one little challah is astounding!

-LeahS.,Toronto,ON

Have you ever had the following conversation in your head whilestanding in line at the grocery store?

I think those people might be Jewish. It’s funny; you can barely tell. Yeah, they’re for sure Jewish! He’s wearing a Magen David necklace. Too bad the Goldsteins aren’t here. They would reach out and strike up a conversation. Maybe I should reach out.

Yeah, right. Me. Do I look like a kiruv professional? What if I say the wrong thing and make a bad impression? Let someone else do it.

Maybe I should invite them for a Shabbos meal. What’s the worst thing that can happen?

A whole meal? What will we talk about? They’re going to say no, anyway. I might as well say “no” for them, and not even bother asking.

Oh, for goodness sake, they’re leaving now! Say something….ANYTHING!! Say “Hello!” Maybe something JEWISH…?

If only I knew of a simple way to reach out…

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?. The next time you bake challah, designate one to give to a less-affiliated Jew for Shabbos. This can be a relative, coworker, doctor, neighbor, or store cashier.. When packaging the challah, insert the Project Inspire gift card. (If you need additional cards, you can pick them up from your local participating grocery store, or print one at http://www.kiruv.com/kiruvseminars/seminars/challah-card.asp). If you think the recipient would appreciate a more personal touch, feel free to compose your own.. Present the challah to the recipient. If it is someone you know well, the conversation may come naturally to you. If not, here are a couple of suggestions:- “I thought you would appreciate this challah that I made for Shabbos.”- “I made challah bread for my family this week and I wanted to give you one. I hope you enjoy it.”If you think the person will be uncomfortable accepting a challah, you can even say:- “I made a lot of extra challah this week and I was hoping I could give you one.”

HOW IS CHALLAH GOING TO BRING THE PERSON CLOSER TO YIDDISHKEIT?The basis of all kiruv is developing a close relationship. Giving a gift of challah can inspire and create a special connection. People appreciate food, especially something homemade, prepared with love and care. Many people will recognize challah as a traditional Shabbos food, which can awaken a connection to their Jewish identity.

It can also be an opportunity to explore what challah and Shabbos represent.WHAT IF I DON’T BAKE CHALLAH?There are many other ways that you can participate in the challah campaign.. Present the person with a store-bought challah. A well-presented challah can still be meaningful, even if it is not homemade. A nice idea is to package it together with a small grape juice, tea lights or any home baked good. . Team up with a friend who bakes challah regularly. The two of you can share in the mitzvah together.. Help publicize the campaign by encouraging people in your neighborhood, shul or school to participate.

HOW DO I FOLLOW UP AFTER SHABBOS?Many people will contact you to express their appreciation, although you should not feel insulted if you don’t hear back. By giving someone a challah, you are already taking the first step in building a relationship. You can extend a Shabbos invitation, give challah again another week, or see if the person would like the recipe. Another nice idea is to invite the person to your home to bake challah together with you. If you sense that your gift had a significant effect, you can offer to learn something together, refer the person to a kiruv site, (such as Aish.com), or recommend some good reading material, (for example, “Jewish Matters” or “Triumph”). Feel free to visit www.kiruv.com for additional suggestions and easy outreach tools.

THE PROJECT INSPIRE

Project Inspire’s Challah Campaign is a beautiful kiruv initiative that empowers the Frum community to reach out in a way that is easy and enjoyable. The gesture of providing someone with a challah for Shabbos is heartwarming, and will likely be met with sincere gratitude. It is a simple act that has the power to expand into something much greater -- like challah, which starts out small, but rises to the occasion in time for Shabbos.

In order to make the initial approach even easier, Project Inspire has published a beautiful and informative gift card to be presented together with the challah. There is no lengthy kiruv explanation required; you simply present the challah and card, wish the person a good Shabbos, and daven for the best.

Introducing

The Easy Way To Connect

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M a y t h e B r a c h a B ’ I s a h

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