Observing Shabbat is one of the most incredible things for my health and for my spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth. It provides a completely different space of being, and it carries with it a unique calm energy. The emphasis on community is a refreshing change from my self-absorbed week. On Friday afternoon, I bid adieu to Facebook, cell-phones, homework, and money, and I grab a reflective “cuppa” (more British slang) with the Creator.

I spent this Shabbat in Hendon, a suburb of London called with a friend from seminary. It was a really nice Shabbat; and though it was cold, the sun shone brightly in the morning. Services were quite beautiful (and mostly the same to what I’m used to, save for some different tunes and a blessing for the Royal Family) and individuals from the community came and introduced themselves to me after the services.

Woman: You MUST come for lunch sometime! We would love to have you. Though I do need to warn you, we are vegetarians.

Me (In my head):  Score.

When I walked down the streets with my friend, It felt like a familiar Jewish community, like Silver Spring or Teaneck. People, for the most part, greeted each other with a Shabbat Shalom. The neighborhood alternated between black-hat (more strictly observant) and modern as we crossed through various community pockets. We ate at two different families for the meals, and though they were different, they both embodied that special Shabbat flavor.

Both families also served the most ridiculously amazing Challah I have ever tasted (except, of course, for Abba Fruchter’s). Each was a perfect balance of salty and sweet, and each had just the right amount of bounce in the airy dough. Taking a bite was like yanking off a piece of a fluffy, challah-flavored cloud and popping it in your mouth. Additionally, both challot were baked by women who clearly had immense pride in the golden, crusty loaves.

I was inspired by these women, and decided to be adventurous and bake scones and Saturday night with a friend after a quaint and beautiful walk in Hampstead. Let’s just say I was getting ahead of myself.

Scones or Scary Deflated Cookie Impostors with WAY too much butter? Next time, I'll make ACTUAL scones.