WHAT you KNEAD TO KNOW

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Challah Back Girls™ (CBG) began baking for frontline healthcare heroes in early May at the peak of the COVID outbreak. After three of us four siblings were abruptly forced away from school closures and work changes, we began baking more regularly. When we were all finally home in Teaneck, New Jersey, which was the initial epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, we observed the chaos erupting from indoors as cases were skyrocketing.

Several friends and community members were involved in the response. Whether working in the ICU, volunteering in the local ambulance corps, or boarding up with other doctors to keep away from potentially spreading the virus to their families, people were knee-deep in the COVID-19 battle. As the days passed and the amount of challah coming out of the oven increased, our mom (and #1 fan) asked if we could make some extra challahs for the ER doctors where she worked. The following week, community members were organizing a potluck for local Volunteer Ambulance Corps members who were working over the weekends, and we baked challah for them as our contribution. 

Soon, everyone in the community wanted to buy our challah. We weren’t sure what to do as we didn’t feel comfortable selling it for profit during such a dark, isolating time. And then there was a wake-up call.

In that moment, the path forward with our challah felt obvious. We sought to connect this ancient culinary tradition with our desire to support building a more compassionate, just, and equitable world. Our platform quickly transformed into a fundraiser and social media amplifier for various organizations that were hard at work addressing the many faces of racism and anti-Blackness in America.

Our name became Challah Back Girls™ as an ode to singing Gwen Stefanie's Holdback Girl while baking hundreds of loaves in our home kitchen, but more intentionally to highlight the mission of giving back through challah.

With each challah baked and delivered nationwide, Challah Back Girls™ (CBG) uses challah as a powerful symbol of change and opportunity to break bread with diverse communities. Through strategic partnerships with organizations, brands, and community leaders, CBG builds bridges, addresses injustices, promotes the values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), fostering a more equitable and inclusive society, both locally and globally.  

Today, CBG is an official small business originally established by four siblings to bake the world a more just, equitable, and compassionate place through challah—a traditionally Jewish braided bread. CBG is dedicated to baking and delivering nut free (including sesame!) and dairy free challah nationwide and partners with diverse organizations, brands, and community leaders CBG uses challah as a vehicle of change and symbol of unity by partnering with organizations, brands, and leaders to build community while addressing injustices, promoting the values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), and advancing equity, both locally and globally.

CBG isn't just about delivering delicious challah; it's about celebrating a cultural icon that resonates with Jews and non-Jews alike across the nation. We're passionate about creating relationships with the community while addressing important social causes to work towards a more just world. A portion of CBG proceeds supports the important work of uplifting and centering disenfranchised and marginalized communities, which adds an extra layer of significance to our mission.

Challah Back products have become a local and global sensation due to its quality, delightful flavors, cultural significance, and inclusive collaborations that welcome everyone into our commitment to creating a positive impact. When the Challah Back Squad orders our challah, they're not just getting a delicious loaf; they're participating in a culinary journey that celebrates tradition, humanity, and social responsibility.