Year 9 students work together - Challah for Hunger

What is the most important part of a Shabbat dinner? The Challah of course! If you are in need of some delicious Challah, come and buy some right here at Bialik! In the Challah For Hunger ETGAR group, students together to make you your very own Challah!

Before we discuss that, what is ETGAR? Etgar is a wonderful opportunity for Year 8 and 9 students to work together on Friday afternoons for the whole year. This helps them develop their interests, skills, and competencies in new and untested areas. The focus is to create opportunities for students to explore and improve real life skills that they may have not identified before.

So back to Challah for Hunger, there are many flavours such as white chocolate, chocolate chips, and many more! But not only that, all profits made are donated to a charity. Over the years Bialik students have donated over $3000 to charities across Melbourne, to charities such as the Lighthouse Foundation. 

 “Etgar” means to challenge yourself, says a year 9 student. The concept of ETGAR grows with the positive and effective involvement of students across years 8 and 9. Electives such as Challah For Hunger make it possible for young students to embrace newly found situations and interesting scenarios. The element of donation or charity work ties in with the Jewish values of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam, teaching students to positively influence the world around them. Over the 2 years, students have come to experience various new opportunities. 

Challah for Hunger teaches students many valuable skills. Skills such as sales, cooking and money managing abilities come very easily throughout the program. It allows students to step outside of their comfort zones when they must sell Challah quietly and quickly as to not disturb the learning of their peers. The skill of silently and efficiently completing a task given can be used for many things later in life.

Don’t forget to tune in next week to see a close-up of some more wonderful aspects of Etgar!

- Article by Gabriella G, Celine R & Ruth P -