Historically, the Black and Jewish communities have shared experiences of oppression, resilience and social justice advocacy, yet have also faced periods of division. Challah and Soul seeks to rebuild and strengthen these connections by focusing on what brings people together: food, storytelling and open dialogues.
Why our Mission is Important
By breaking bread and sharing our stories, we will educate, unite, and restore allyship between Black and Jewish communities
Why Our Mission is Important
We are reigniting the grand alliance between the Black and Jewish communities. By breaking bread and sharing personal narratives, we create safe, welcoming spaces for meaningful dialogue, fostering unity, understanding and healing. We strive to restore relationships between many vibrant communities by celebrating our values and histories while paving the way for a more inclusive future.
our mission
How We Came to Be
The Story of Challah & Soul
Challah and Soul was founded by Judi Leib and Shonda Isom Walkowitz. Brought together by Hadassah of Southern California, to plan a one off, luncheon connecting Black and Jewish moms. Initially, we thought we would host a lunch with ladies to exchange ideas. The more we shared the idea with people, the more enthusiasm we found for the project. Ultimately, we founded Challah and Soul to reignite the grand alliance between Blacks and Jews through food, storytelling and education.
Meet the people that make it happen
Judi Leib
Judi came to Challah and Soul with 40 years of food service experience. She has worked in every aspect of the food business and has always loved food history. When Challah & Soul started to take shape, she felt compelled to point out the common origin stories of so many Black and Jewish foods. Judi has truly found a purpose and passion in bringing many cultural communities together starting with food.
Shonda Isom Walkowitz
From Shonda’s core belief, that no person should go hungry, she founded Buck’s Happy Farm in the Lucerne Valley, which is a desert. She asked the question “Can I grow food in the desert?” Shonda, eventually, was able to turn sand into soil and begin successfully growing food in the desert. Shonda is passionate about helping people. She turned that passion into a 21 year career teaching, in notable Temples, like Temple Judea and helping young children. Her passion shifted from the classroom to the farm and now to Challah & Soul.
Joe & Rhonda Feinberg
The Feinberg Family Foundation is a loyal and generous supporter of many worthy charities. Joe with his wife Rhonda share a goal to impact philanthropists concentrating in two areas: Underserved Communities along with Medical Healthcare & Research through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. They are fortunate to be able to help in many ways and take pride in what they do. It’s much more than sending a check for them, they donate their time, knowledge, decades of experience, as well as assist other 501 C-3’s to progress as a team and create a better world.
Ira Handelman
Ira Handelman is a government relations, public affairs, and community outreach consultant. He is active in the Jewish Community and a Board Member of the American Jewish Committee, a member of the Jewish Democratic Council of America and an Advisory Board Member of the Progressive Zionists of California.
Jan Perry
Jan Perry is the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization at the forefront of Los Angeles’ response to the homeless crisis. She concurrently serves as Executive Director of a nonprofit organization that promotes infrastructure development, where she recently led formation of critical union alliances essential in developing a $300M Southern California port infrastructure initiative to leverage renewable energy sources.
Robbie Gershkowitz
Robbie Gershkowitz has been an active member of the Jewish community in the San Fernando since high school. By profession, she is a Corporate Tax officer and Adjunct Professor of Accounting at USC. Judaic values dictate her continued learning to grow, Repairing the World (Tikun Olam) and inclusivity. She is proud that Challah and Soul encompasses all these values in a beautiful way.
