Braiding Connections During the Pandemic, One Challah at a Time

By Sydney Hilbush

On a typical Friday night before COVID, you might find sophomore Jenna Levin picnicking with her friends on Memorial Glade, attending Hillel’s Shabbat service, or exploring Berkeley’s diverse restaurant collection. When the COVID pandemic hit and forced us indoors, Jenna was eager to find ways to stay connected to her loved ones, even if this meant finding new Friday night traditions. Over the past few months, Jenna began experimenting in the kitchen, and eventually found herself embracing a new hobby: making challah.

“I started making challah over quarantine while I was living with my cousins this summer as a nanny. We experimented with all sorts of designs from rainbow, to mermaid, to firework s’mores challah for the Fourth of July. I now make challah almost every week and find the whole process very therapeutic and a good way to wind down after a busy week, constantly experimenting with funky new flavors,” Jenna said.

For Jenna, making challah brings her close to her loved ones, even in a time of perpetual isolation and separation from our friends and family.

“It can be hard to connect with friends socially distanced but nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy on my friends face when I hand deliver them a freshly made warm challah on a Friday night,” Jenna said.

Scroll down to view photos of Jenna’s various challah creations!