Buffalo Grove synagogue's bread sale helps those who have lost income

A little dough turned into a lot of bread in a fundraiser Friday hosted by Congregation Beth Am in Buffalo Grove.

It is just one way the synagogue is maintaining the connection with its community during the COVID-19 pandemic while helping those impacted financially, Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows said.

The congregation partnered with Shalom Kosher Bakery, 1165 N. Arlington Heights Road, Buffalo Grove, for the event to support local families who have lost income.

The bakery supplied the dough for the braided egg bread known as challah and the congregation handed out the dough during a curbside pickup at the congregation, 1370 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove.

"I had been getting requests from members who, if they haven't been laid off, they know that is coming," Bellows said.

The dough sold for $5, and Bellows said she initially expected to sell enough for 20 challahs. As it turned out, enough for 80 sold, a member stepped up to donate money to cover the bakery's cost, and customers chipped in extra, paying it forward. Altogether, the congregation raised about $800, she said.

Even though social distancing was observed, "for me, it was so touching and so meaningful just to see the congregants," Bellows said. "I haven't seen them in, it feels like, forever."

"We were happy to provide the dough," bakery manager Liat Ezra said.