Preparing for Passover: Chabad hosts matzah bakery
By: Michele Dargan
Palm Beach Daily News
March 24, 2013
Max Friedman, 5, of West Palm Beach tries the matzah, hot out of the oven, along with Brea Siegel 3, of Palm Beach Gardens. 
During the rolling of the matzah, Amy Hartmann, 3, gets flour on her nose. 
Rochel Levitin, 3, of Palm Beach tries to grind the wheat that will become the flour for matzah. |
Chabad of Northern Palm Beach Island held a workshop March 17, where children and adults learned the art of making matzah in preparation for Passover.
Passover begins tonight at sundown. As written in the Book of Exodus, Passover celebrates the freeing of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery more than 3,000 years ago. Because the fleeing Israelites had no time to wait for their bread to rise, they ate unleavened bread, or matzah. Matzah is eaten during traditional seder meals.
More than 50 children and adults attended the Model Matzah Bakery event at the Palm Beach Recreation Center. Young and old alike experienced a hands-on journey into the significance of matzah during the holiday.
The workshop was led by Rabbi Shmuly Gutnick, also known as “Rabbi G,” director of the Chabad Youth Network based in Boca Raton. Participants began with stalks of wheat, which they winnowed and then ground. The rabbi called up volunteers to draw well-water and then bake the matzah.
“The Matzah Bakery provides children with a very fun experience and also helps develop a profound appreciation for the holiday,” said Rabbi Zalman Levitin, spiritual leader of the Chabad House. “Today, more than ever perhaps, parents appreciate opportunities like this to share their Jewish heritage and tradition with the next generation.”