Zicra Lukin Opens Jewish Bakery Babkush in Portland
The bakery offers a variety of wholesale, catering, and market goods in the Hawthorne district.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Baking
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Zicra Lukin established the Jewish bakery Babkush at 935 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland. The retail storefront officially opened its doors at the beginning of 2026.
Why it matters
The bakery aims to celebrate Jewish culture and the Jewish calendar while broadening the culinary concept of traditional Jewish food. A portion of all sales supports the local PDX Pigeon Mutual Aid organization.
Located at 935 SE Hawthorne Blvd, the shop maintains operations Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Ingredients include locally sourced hazelnuts from Freddy's Guys and chocolate and vanilla from Cloudforest.
The players
Zicra Lukin
Zicra Lukin is the owner and founder of Babkush who aims to expand the cultural appreciation of Jewish food.
Babkush
Babkush is a Jewish bakery located in Portland that specializes in wholesale, catering, and community-supported goods.
PDX Pigeon Mutual Aid
PDX Pigeon Mutual Aid is a community-focused organization that receives a portion of proceeds from the bakery.
The details
Babkush provides wholesale and catering services alongside its daily retail business. The bakery sources specific ingredients from regional suppliers to highlight its commitment to quality production.
Timeline
April 2025: Zicra Lukin moved into the bakery space.
Beginning of 2026: The retail space opened for business.
Culture Shift
Babkush reflects the growing trend of specialized, community-focused food establishments taking root in Portland's historic corridors. This move aligns with the city's broader push toward artisanal, hyper-local food production that emphasizes cultural heritage.
Residents can visit the storefront Tuesday through Sunday to support a local business that contributes to community aid initiatives. Customers looking for specific wholesale or catering needs can utilize the bakery's established production services.
The takeaway
Supporting local bakeries often means participating in a broader cycle of mutual aid and cultural appreciation within the city. Visitors to the Hawthorne district now have an additional option for accessing artisanal goods produced with locally sourced ingredients.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, see our Baking section.
More information
For more details on store hours and current offerings, visit the Babkush official business website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Southeast Examiner of Portland Oregon.
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