New Jersey
Hundreds of women and girls gather in New Jersey to bake challah for Jewish new year
Eight hundred women and girls came together Monday evening in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for the Chabad Lubavitch of Camden and Burlington Counties Mega Challah Bake in celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.
They all mixed, kneaded and braided challah, a beloved Jewish tradition.
“Challah is a commandment; it’s a mitzvah from the Bible, the Torah,” said Dinie Mangel, an organizer with Chabad Lubavitch.
Typically passed down from mother or grandmother, the recipe is learned in childhood and enjoyed on Shabbat. Each participant prepared two special round loaves for the holiday.
“The flour, sugar, yeast and oil are all premeasured so we can emphasize the spiritual significance of each ingredient,” said Chana Mangel, program coordinator at Chabad Lubavitch.
“We add the sugar to symbolize sweetness in our lives, so I always add an extra pinch at the end for added sweetness. Oil was used for the anointing of kings, so I think of my children,” Donna Gal, of Cherry Hill, said.
As the dough rose, a mix of emotions filled the air, as many remembered the tragic attacks by Hamas on Israel nearly a year ago on Oct. 7.
At each seat, a card displayed the face and name of one of the 97 hostages who remain in captivity.
“How do we turn pain into action? We need that strength of togetherness,” Mangel said.
Bonnie Galam, a volunteer, added, “Here we are a year later, standing in solidarity with our friends and family. Many of us have a personal connection.”
Liav and Ofri, visiting from Israel for a one-year immersion program, said, “After Oct. 7, we started making challah more often.”
They now say an extra blessing over the dough, hoping that as it bakes and they break bread, it will bring healing to their families.
I almost take the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the celebration of my Irish heritage for granted. I said almost.
I am fortunate to ride in New Jersey’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Belmar-Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will now run on Saturday, March 28, 2026. It was postponed because of the Jersey Shore snowstorm that dumped a couple of feet of snow.
Photo via vadimguzhva
I am also fortunate to serve as the Grand Marshall in 2015 and continue to ride in the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will step off this Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 1 p.m.
New Jersey 101.5 (Canva Edit)
Just those parade experiences alone are filled with so many people lined up to catch the parades, the pipes and drums, the marchers, along with having fun and enjoying the experience.
2024 Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights
There are many other parades up and down the Jersey Shore and all over New Jersey celebrating the wearing of the green.
There are a considerable number of exceptionally good Irish pubs, bars, and restaurants sprinkled all over the Garden State. A fan favorite is Irish dancers and Irish music at big venues like the Count Basie in Red Bank.
Highlands St.Patrick’s Day parade
All those festivities and the celebration have made New Jersey the number one state in the country for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
According to new data released by BETMGM, the company analyzed Google Trends search data across categories such as alcohol and drinkware, green clothing, costumes, party supplies, Irish artists, Irish music, and miscellaneous topics over the past three years.
Jon Polunas poses with Women of Irish Heritage members on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 2021 in Belmar. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
The data showed that New Jersey still grew with celebration intensity. As a result, New Jersey claimed the top shillelagh in the country. Indiana, Iowa, Georgia, and Illinois fared well, too.
I found it interesting that Irish music has gained the biggest leap in popularity with an 82% of all states compared to the previous two years.
(Gloucester City Irish Events)
Alcohol and drinkware are on the down trend along with green clothing and costumes on a national basis.
New Jersey likes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it is a celebration of unwinding, having a little fun and enjoying the atmosphere of the great New Jersey tradition. Enjoy, see you in the parades.
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The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.
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Tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are highly coveted. Admission to a game can cost thousands and most matches are already sold out.
Here’s what to know, and how much tickets are selling for.
How to get New Jersey New York FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets
Fans can buy the New Jersey New York Venue Series pass starting at $25,800 per person, for admission to all eight games in New Jersey New York Stadium Stadium.
Alternatively, fans can buy premium admission that are available for upward of $1,000.
For instance, the admission to the France vs Senegal game on June 16 ranges from $2,300 to $3,400.
The closer to the final, the more expensive tickets are. Admission for the Round of 16 match on July 5, costs between $2,800 and $6,000.
Anyone interested in a luxury suite should be ready to pay roughly $200,000 for game at the New Jersey New York Stadium. The silver lining is that the price includes admission for to 24 people.
Premium tickets for the final match are sold out.
How can I buy cheaper FIFA World Cup Tickets?
A Last-Minute Sales Phase for individual tickets opens on April 2 at 11 a.m. ET. Tickets might sell out within minutes, given the high global demand for them. Most of the tickets left are category 1 and 2, the most expensive seats.
Price varies depending on the match. As an example the USA vs Paraguay match has seats available for $1,940 and $2,735, according to The Athletic.
Forty out of the 104 matches are already sold out.
What are the tailgate tickets? What is the FIFA Pavilion?
FIFA is selling Pavilion tickets for roughly $2,000. The sporting organization describes the pavilions as “an exclusive retreat located in our secure perimeter immediately outside the stadium. Featuring beverage service and elevated street food-inspired dining available pre- and post-match.
For the price, you get to tailgate a game three hours before the match and two hours after it finishes. It also includes a ticket to see the game inside the stadium.
Juan Carlos Castillo is a New Jersey-based trending reporter for the USA Today Network. Find him on Twitter at _JCCastillo.
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