TEMPLE HOLDING SLM DINNER, FAMILY SERVICE

Imagine an entire Friday evening dinner devoted to people who want to know more about Judaism!  It’s an interactive prayer service, joyous Shabbat dinner complete with song, ritual and lively discussion. It is fun-filled evening of camaraderie that unifies Jews everywhere as one people.  Tens of thousands of Jews at hundreds of locations across North America will celebrate Shabbat together on
March 3, many for the first time.

The cost for the catered dinner is $14 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 3 to 15. There also is a family rate of $46 (immediate family only). RSVP for dinner by contacting the Temple office at  (412) 279-7600 or lblattner@templeemanuelpgh.org.

The fifth-grade Torah Center students will lead the popular family service following the SLM Dinner  The service features music led by Rabbi Mark Mahler on guitar, with Rabbi Jessica Locketz, as well. The service includes birthday blessings and the Mi Sheberach Prayer of Healing. 

Conceived and organized by the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP), "Shabbat Across America/Canada" represents a united effort by the entire Jewish community to renew interest in the fourth of the Ten Commandments – observing Shabbat, or a weekly day of rest. Temple Emanuel participated in Shabbat Across America last year.  

SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA REINTRODUCES JEWS TO SHABBATH

Temple Emanuel will be one of approximately 700 synagogues across the continent that will simultaneously open their doors to Temple members and to unaffiliated individuals and families, so they may join together to experience and rejoice in a traditional Shabbat service and festive meal.

"We just can not accept the common perception that North American Jewry is an endangered species," commented Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, founder and director of NJOP. "While it is true that the vast majority of Jews in this country have never experienced a traditional Sabbath experience and do not feel a connection to the Judaism that their grandparents practiced only half a century ago -- this should not be! Shabbat Across America/Canada is an exciting and modern way of reintroducing friends and family members to a practice that has been with, and unified, our people for over 3,300 years, and which we hope will be with us for at least 3,300 more."

Prompted by the growing rate of Jewish assimilation in North America, NJOP hopes that a memorable and rewarding experience at Shabbat Across America/Canada will infuse thousands of non-practicing Jews with a sense of a greater commitment to Judaism. Of the 5.2 million North American Jews, 2.4 million no longer identify themselves as Jews, 1 million are unaffiliated with any Jewish organizations, and 1.2 million are marginally affiliated, meaning they rarely attend synagogue and have little to do with anything in Jewish life. In addition, 47% of American Jews intermarry and 54% of Jews below age 18 are being raised as non-Jews or with no religion. Perhaps, the most poignant fact is that more than two-thirds of all North America Jews do not observe the Sabbath in any way. (2001 National Jewish Population Survey, Council of Jewish Federations)

PROGRAM UNITES JEWS ACROSS U.S. AND CANADA

Designed to teach a generation of unaffiliated Jews about the beauty and significance of the Jewish Sabbath, Shabbat Across America/Canada is the first nationally orchestrated program which appeals to members of all major Jewish denominations. It is also the first and only program aimed at uniting Jews across the United States and Canada through one single event. Shabbat Across America/Canada will take place in every city where there is a Jewish presence – from major Jewish geographical centers, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, to cities with smaller Jewish populations such as Monroe, LA, Albuquerque, NM, and Cranston RI.

The National Jewish Outreach Program was established in 1987 by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, and has become one of the world's largest and most successful Jewish outreach organizations. NJOP offers free programs at more than 3,620 locations across North America and in 30 countries worldwide. Through programs such as Shabbat Across America/Canada and Read Hebrew America /Canada, NJOP has successfully reached more than 730,000 North American Jews, and engaged them in Jewish life.

- The National Jewish Outreach Program supplied material for this story.

To learn more about Shabbat Across America, click here to visit the National Jewish Outreach Program Web site.