About Tikvah Rising
A Story of Hope, Family, and Bread
Tikvah, derived from the Hebrew word for hope, carries the meaning of a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)—a strong, unshakable confidence in God's faithfulness. Often associated with something tangible, like a cord or rope, it symbolizes an active trust and an expectant anticipation of a better future. This hope is also a quiet assurance that something good is growing, even when it cannot yet be fully seen. That same spirit of hope is at the heart of the bakehouse and is reflected in every loaf that rises from our kitchen.
A Journey from Corporate to Kitchen
Tikvah Rising Bakehouse grew from a quiet hope—to live more intentionally and to create food that brings warmth and nourishment to others.
After many years in the corporate world, founder Cynthia Kelley stepped away to pursue a life that made space for family, creativity, and the simple beauty of baking from scratch. What began as a personal journey in a home kitchen gradually rose into a small-batch artisan bakehouse dedicated to sharing wholesome bread and meaningful moments around the table.
Meet Cynthia
Cynthia's path to baking was not a straight line. After years of navigating the demands and pace of corporate life, she found herself longing for something slower, simpler, and more rooted in her values. She wanted to create a life where there was time to be present with her family, to make things by hand, and to offer something nourishing—both physically and emotionally—to her community.
What started as experimenting with sourdough starter in her own kitchen became a growing passion. She was drawn to the rhythm of the craft: the patience required to wait for dough to rise, the satisfaction of shaping each loaf by hand, and the joy of sharing that bread with others. Over time, this quiet practice grew into something more—a small business built on hope, intention, and the belief that good food made with care can bring people together.
Intentional Living
Community Connection
Family First
Our Philosophy
What we believe and how we bake
Time Over Speed
We believe good bread cannot be rushed. Every loaf at Tikvah Rising is made using long fermentation methods, allowing natural wild yeast to work slowly and develop deep, complex flavors. This traditional approach also makes the bread easier to digest and more nutritious.
Quality Ingredients
We source organic flours and grains whenever possible and work with local suppliers who share our values. Simple, wholesome ingredients—flour, water, salt, and time—are all it takes to make truly exceptional bread when you start with quality.
Handcrafted with Care
Every loaf is shaped by hand, not by machine. This personal touch ensures each bread receives the attention it deserves and carries the care and intention of the baker into every slice. Small batches mean consistent quality and a connection to each loaf.
Community Centered
Bread has always been meant to be shared. We believe in building relationships with our customers, showing up at local markets, and creating a sense of connection and belonging through the simple act of breaking bread together.
Nourishment Beyond Food
We believe food should nourish more than just the body. When you buy a loaf from Tikvah Rising, you're supporting a small family business, choosing real food over mass production, and participating in a slower, more intentional way of living.
Hope as Foundation
At the heart of everything we do is hope—hope for a better way of living, hope for meaningful connection, and hope that small acts of care and craftsmanship can make a difference. Every loaf is a reminder that good things are worth waiting for.
Why Sourdough?
Sourdough is more than just a trendy bread—it's an ancient method of baking that has nourished people for thousands of years.
Easier to Digest
The long fermentation process breaks down gluten and starches, making sourdough gentler on the digestive system than commercial yeast breads.
Lower Glycemic Index
Sourdough fermentation produces acids that slow down the rate at which glucose is released into the bloodstream, helping maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Rich in Nutrients
The fermentation process increases the bioavailability of minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium, making them easier for your body to absorb.
Natural Preservation
The acids produced during fermentation act as natural preservatives, meaning sourdough stays fresh longer without the need for artificial additives or preservatives.
Incredible Flavor
The slow rise develops complex, tangy flavors and creates that distinctive crusty exterior and chewy, open crumb that sourdough lovers crave.
What Makes Us Different
The Tikvah Rising way
At Tikvah Rising
- Small batches baked weekly in a home kitchen
- Every loaf shaped by hand with personal care
- Long fermentation (12-24+ hours) for optimal flavor and nutrition
- Organic flours and locally sourced ingredients
- Wild yeast starter nurtured daily—no commercial yeast
- Simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, time
- Baked fresh to order—you know exactly when your bread was made
- Connection to your baker—face-to-face at markets, personalized service
- Supporting a local family and small business
Commercial Bread
- Mass-produced in industrial facilities
- Machine-mixed and machine-shaped for speed
- Fast rise (1-2 hours) using commercial yeast
- Conventional flours, often bleached or bromated
- Heavy reliance on commercial yeast and dough conditioners
- Long lists of additives, preservatives, and stabilizers
- Shipped from distant locations, unknown bake date
- Anonymous production—no relationship with maker
- Supporting large corporations and supply chains
The difference is real. When you choose Tikvah Rising, you're choosing bread made the way it was meant to be made—slowly, carefully, and with hope for something better.
Our Values in Action
How we live what we believe
Sustainability
We minimize waste by baking in small batches, using reusable packaging when possible, and sourcing from local suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint. Every decision considers its impact on the earth.
Integrity
We're honest about our ingredients, our process, and our limitations. What you see is what you get—real food made by real people, with nothing to hide and everything to share.
Education
We believe in sharing knowledge. Whether it's answering questions at the market, posting about our process online, or encouraging others to try baking at home, we want to demystify artisan bread.
Joy
Baking brings us joy, and we hope that joy is felt in every loaf. We believe work should be fulfilling, that food should bring happiness, and that life is richer when we slow down to savor it.
Baking for Our Community
Tikvah Rising wouldn't exist without the support of our local community.
From the farmers who grow our grains to the customers who trust us to nourish their families, we are grateful to be part of a network of people who value quality, care, and connection. Every loaf we bake is our way of saying thank you—for choosing small businesses, for caring about where your food comes from, and for believing that hope can rise, even in the smallest of kitchens.
We'd love to meet you.
Stop by one of our market locations, send us a message, or place an order online. Let's break bread together.
Tikvah Rising Bakehouse
Baked with Hope · Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Tikvah (תִּקְוָה) — Hebrew for "Hope"
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