Later this month, the St. Louis Jewish community will be represented among more than 340 cities around the planet in marking The Shabbos Project, a unique program designed to promote Jewish unity through observance of Shabbat.

“It’s a very social event,” said Keith Mankowitz of Chesterfield. “People can do it on their own level, just so that we’re all doing it together.”

The idea debuted in South Africa last year. This time around the initiative will encourage Jews worldwide to participate in keeping Shabbat Oct. 24-25. Driven by the catchphrase, “keeping it together,” the idea has spread to at least 33 nations.

A website, theshabbosproject.org, offers toolkits, learning opportunities and even the opportunity to find a coach who can help with the effort.

Mankowitz is coordinating the initiative at his own congregation Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha, which has already planned three events for the upcoming project. A Friday night dinner at the shul, 14550 Ladue Road in Chesterfield, will be followed by a Saturday afternoon Kiddush and an evening Havdalah concert. Congregants Janice Mankowitz and Susie Rosenblum will also be holding challah-baking classes during the week of Oct. 20.

The congregation is urging members to consider inviting a family to stay over for Shabbat or to have a meal at their home.

Mankowitz hopes the idea will spread across the St. Louis area with congregations from all streams of Judaism participating in whichever way they wish to bring Shabbat and a message of Jewish togetherness to their own neighborhood.

“Each shul can do whatever kinds of events they want to do,” he said.

Rabbi Ze’ev Smason of Nusach Hari B’nai Zion said his congre

gation supports the idea. The Olivette shul is also encouraging members to invite others to a Shabbat meal at their homes, which Smason notes is an important mitzvah. He lauds Tpheris Israel for its putting together events for the effort.

“This initiative will have the best of both aspects,” he said. “It will be individualized to each neighborhood and the community will be getting together for a concert.”

Smason said that the larger effort will hopefully promote a lasting connection to Shabbat, a concept he feels is sometimes neglected in Jewish life.

“I think the initial goal is really not so much to get people in the habit of it as much as it is to introduce them to it,” he said. “There is the long-term goal that people would continue with it but you’ve got to get people’s foot in the door.”

Smason said that he hopes once individuals have seen the special nature of the Shabbos, they will want to do it again.

“Unfortunately, there are many people who are Jewish who have never experienced a traditional Shabbat,” he said. “I think that the strength of the individual programs that will be taking place at the respective synagogues together with the collective community and national effort is something that will get people’s attention. Once people have tried it, they are going to like it.”

Mankowitz said the project was still in the beginning stages and he couldn’t say exactly how many synagogues might participate here but he hopes that all of them will.

“It is really just a sign of unity among the Jewish people,” he said. “Shabbos is a gift to the Jewish people. It is a common bond that we all have together that makes us unique.” 

Shabbos Project events in St. Louis

Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha events for the Shabbos Project (all are free)

• Challah Baking: Janice Mankowitz ([email protected]) and Susie Rosenblum ([email protected]) are holding Challah baking classes during the week of Oct. 20. Email them for more information. 

• Friday, Oct. 24 evening dinner at Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha, 7:30 p.m. RSVP to [email protected]  

• Saturday, Oct. 25 Kiddush celebration at noon. Havdalah Concert & Maleva Malka at 7:30 p.m. with complimentary music and food.  Email [email protected] for more information. 

 • Home Hospitality available. Email [email protected] for details. 

Additional Shabbos Project event

• A group of local women are planning a challah baking night as part of the Shabbos Project: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur.  The cost is $5 per person. RSVP to Rene at [email protected].