W.O.W.: Join Us for Women-Inspired Learning

By Andrea Gamlin

April and May were very informative months at W.O.W.! Two weeks after Passover ended, we had a challah-shaping event. You thought that challah came only in loaves or circles? No way, not when you join us! Sara Oppenheim opened our challah-shaping class by reviewing each ingredient and what each represents. For example, sugar represents sweetness and that we try to be kind. Salt represents criticism, so we always put in less salt than sugar in our challah recipe. It’s OK to be critical, but with more sweetness than harshness.

Sara led a minyan of women through creating challah napkins, twist, crowns, cones, sunflowers, and candlesticks! We also learned about the Shlissel challah. After Passover, many families around the world form their challah for the first Shabbat after Pesach in the shape of a key, or they may place a key in foil and place inside the challah.

In addition to shaping challah, we talked about various toppings to make our challot (more than one challah) sweet or savory. Have you tried adding pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon, onions or garlic, or even broken pretzels? For more information on challah baking, Sara recommends the book “The Secret of Challah” by Ayelet Yifrach and Shira Wiener.

Our May flowers this year were the loads of ideas on how to reclaim our health and life, brought to us by Tracy Farrell, diagnostic nutritionist and functional practitioner. We learned how to “edit” unhealthy foods in our diet into healthier versions. Also, did you know that sleep is vitally important to good health, especially as we age? Furthermore, we learned how exercise and stress management make a big difference to our well-being. Last, and certainly not least, Tracy spoke with us about the importance that spirituality and community play in our health. We learned even more steps we can take today to make tomorrow healthier and happier. You can find more information about healthy living on her Facebook group, “Tracy Farrell Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner.” Tracy has a wealth of information, and we thank her for sharing her knowledge with us!

Did someone say book club? I thought so! Join us on June 1 at noon for “The Choice: Embrace the Impossible” by Dr. Edith Eva Egar. Suzy Catenazzo is our resident book club leader, and through her insights, we delve further into themes of each book we discuss together.

Please remember to mark your and adult family members’ calendars for our big event this fall on November 14 at 7 p.m.

— American film director, animator, and voice actor Saul Blinkoff! Saul will share practical tools for success, meaning, and fulfillment in all aspects of life!

Stay tuned for our Challah Bake and Challah Sale (two different events) at the end of August!

Please go to W.O.W.’s website at www.charlottewomenofwisdom.com for more information about our events. We are a nondenominational group for Jewish women to engage, learn, and connect. No synagogue affiliation is necessary, just an interest to learn more about our beautiful heritage!