A Life-Changing Evening of Community and Blessing

Kamila Podgietz's story begins with one *challah* separation and evolves into a journey filled with multiple blessings and ongoing holiness.

"I moved to Israel from Brazil as a Zionist," Kamila shares. "A few years ago, my friend became ill. We live in Tel Aviv, and she decided to host an evening of *challah* separation to pray for her recovery. That was the first time I even heard about this mitzvah, *challah* separation. That evening was powerful and emotional."

Not long after that evening, Operation Protective Edge began. "It was a difficult time, and I felt within myself that I had to do something. While I can't take up arms and go fight, I felt I wanted to contribute in some way to the military effort. So, I did what a Jewish woman could do. I approached a community center in the neighborhood and asked if they could clear a space for us one evening to hold a *challah* separation event. The owner cleared out the cafeteria for us, and I organized the *challah* separation evening. Forty women showed up, each with their own bowl. We all performed the *challah* separation and prayed for the soldiers."

This special evening was not an end but a wonderful beginning. "Since then, we’ve been holding *challah* separation events in the neighborhood every so often, bringing in female rabbis for various situations — both joyful and less joyful. At one point, for example, we invited a rabbi for a special evening for three women from the neighborhood who wanted to conceive. That month, all three of them became pregnant."

These blessings and holiness did not just become a communal treasure for the women in the neighborhood, but also a personal leap for Kamila herself. "Thanks to these *challah* separation evenings of community, I accepted upon myself to perform *challah* separation at home every week. Since then, one good thing has led to another, with only positive outcomes, of course. But beyond the blessings, this mitzvah makes me a better person, a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better daughter, and above all — a better Jew. My home receives holiness from this, and this mitzvah attracts additional mitzvot, hospitality, and great kindness. That first evening of community changed my life."

For house parties and *challah* separation events – To book a house party or *challah* separation event: Call 073-2221290, email [email protected]