“Shari Wallack packs more than a dollop of self-discovery and painful truths as she rises from complete despair to a more realized soul. Her harrowing and ultimately redemptive journey about family, faith, and friendship, follows her wrestling with her past and nurturing the good and bad memories to make a more authentic and enlightening future. With honesty, grace, and without shame, Wallack shares a very personal yet universal story about mental health and the power of nourishing yourself.”

“Shari Wallack is a wonderful and charming writer with an eye for the details that make life worth living. During this lost year, comes a stirring, heartfelt, and funny story of how you can be found. And if her included recipes are as good as they look, you’re in for some extra treats.”

"All it took to send my friend Shari Wallack for a stint at a mental institution was an alarming cascade of life crises and one very minor worldwide catastrophe. Once sprung she found herself on a spontaneous cross country road trip to find peace of mind through food and friendship. Both hilariously raw and unflinchingly honest, her book 'from hell to challah' shows how with hope, challah, and help from a handful of red cardinals, she rediscovered her reasons for waking up in the morning. It’s a joyful journey worth taking!”

“Despite experiencing dark days, Shari Wallack found the strength to grab flour, yeast, eggs, and other unique ingredients to bake challah.  Each braided Jewish bread lifted her spirit and the spirits of family and friends who enjoyed her handiwork. With every challah came a story.  When woven together these stories created a poignant tapestry of healing, love, and hope.”