Temple Beth Emet of Burbank invites the Jewish community to the 12th annual Shabbat Across America/Canada program.

On Friday, March 7, Temple Beth Emet will be one of approximately 700 synagogues across the continent opening its doors to practicing and non-affiliated Jews for a festive meal and Shabbat service.

In the past , more than 600,000 people have participated in Shabbat Across America/Canada. The idea of the open house originated with the National Jewish Outreach Program as a way to bring the Jewish community together to observe the fourth of the Ten Commandments - observing a weekly day of rest.

On the evening of the March 7, Rabbi Mark Sobel will lead attendees in an interactive Friday night "Explanatory Service" and a traditional Shabbat dinner at which all the rituals will be explained.

A new survey of religion in America shows many American adults are leaving the faith traditions of their upbringings and many being brought up without religion in their lives.

The founder of Shabbat Across America/Canada sees it as an exciting and modern way to reintroduce friends and family members to a practice that has been with the Jewish people for more than 3,300 years.

Located at 600 N. Buena Vista Street in Burbank, Temple Beth Emet has been an innovator in Jewish programming and education for fifty years. It has over 200 families from Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and all parts of the San Fernando Valley. It is an independent Reform Jewish community and it is proud to welcome people with an interest in Judaism to Shabbat Across America/Canada.