Baking challah from a classic challah recipe is a great activity for parents and children to do together. The bread does not need to be perfect. Your kids might like to make individual small loaves and put one on a small plate for each guest.

According to Freda Reider in her book The Hallah Book, the word “hallah” refers to “a small portion of pre-baked dough that the Jews of the Temple period gave as a weekly Sabbath offering to their priests who devoted all their time to ritual, study, worship and Temple service. The shape was originally round, white, and sweet. When the Temple was destroyed, the bread-offering to the priests ceased.

To commemorate the ancient law of setting aside hallah, many Jews to this day separate a small portion of pre-baked dough which they bless and burn. This small piece of separated dough is now called ‘challah’ which means “offering,” and the sweet white bread itself is now also known a challah.” Make this classic challah recipe below.