Breaking Challah

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Breaking Challah is a new initiative that encourages Jewish families around the world to invite a non-Jewish neighbour, colleague, teacher or friend to join them for a traditional Friday night Shabbat meal in an effort to promote tolerance through understanding. The name ‘Breaking Challah’ comes from the friendly, peaceful intention of ‘breaking bread’ with strangers and ‘Breaking Challah’ is the original concept of Melbourne artist, Justine Kuran.

While there are many community organisations conducting wonderful outreach programs, this grass roots, home-based approach offers a very personal insight into the Jewish culture.

 On a recent episode of the ABC’s QandA program, panelist Senator Pauline Hanson, was asked by Muslim audience member, Mohammed Attai to join him and his family for a Halal dinner.  Breaking Challah Founder, Justine Kuran saw this as an opportunity to extend an invitation to Mr Attai to be hosted at a Shabbat dinner by a Jewish family.  After contacting Mr Attai through QandA Senior Producer, Christine El-Khoury, Mr Attai immediately accepted the invitation, and Ms El-Khoury had also requested that she be placed with a host family.  Both will be attending Shabbat dinners on 9 September in Sydney.

In 2016, there will be host families throughout Australia, Israel, the USA, South Africa and Hong Kong.

‘Breaking Challah’, is the original concept of Melbourne artist, Justine Kuran and Celebrity Stylist, Henry Roth  following the 2015 terror attacks in Paris.

Breaking Challah is NOT a charity or a fundraiser. There is no charge to hosts or guests.

The organisers said: “As most Jewish families are together for Shabbat, we ask that they do exactly as they normally would, but that they include guests of cultural diversity to their home and share their Jewish traditions – there is no expectation or limitation on the family’s level of Jewish observance, as traditions vary from family to family.

‘Breaking Challah’ is intended to break the cycle of misunderstanding by sharing our food, our traditions and our hospitality, by opening our homes and our hearts to those who otherwise may never have a Jewish experience. We hope that hosts and guests will share their experience with their personal network of friends and family, and use the hashtag #breakingchallah to share on social media.”

The event is organised with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, The Jewish of Australia and the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies.