Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area.

More than 60,000 American Jews will hear kiddush, make the blessings over bread and observe other Shabbat rituals for the first time — at least in a long time — tonight.

The National Jewish Outreach Program's second annual "Shabbat Across America," an outgrowth of the organization's "Turn Friday Night Into Shabbos" programs, targets "marginally affiliated" Jews, says Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, NJOP director.

A $600,000 marketing campaign is promoting the Shabbat program in national magazines and on New York subway cars, Chicago buses, Los Angeles billboards and syndicated radio programs such as the "Dr. Laura Schlessinger Show."

"We want people to know that you can be American, hip and actively Jewish all at the same time," says Melanie Notkin, NJOP marketing director .

In Northern California, at least 15 synagogues are participating. Those include Congregations Sha'ar Zahav, Sherith Israel, Ner Tamid, Chevra Thilim, Beth Israel-Judea, Emanu-El and Beyt Tikkun: The House of Love and Healing, all in San Francisco; Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto; Temple Beth Torah in Fremont; Congregation Beth Emek in Livermore; Congregation B'nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek; Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos; and Temple Beth El in Salinas.

Last year's inaugural program was hosted in "a little under 400" synagogues in the United States and Canada, says Buchwald. This year's proposed goal of 600 has already been surpassed — 629 synagogues have signed on so far, nearly half of which are in the New York area.

That figure includes 245 Reform congregations, 183 Conservative, 148 Orthodox, 17 Reconstructionist and 22 college-based Hillel chapters.

The remaining 15 are a combination of unaffiliated synagogues and other venues.

"It shows that for the sake of Jewish continuity, we can all work together," Buchwald says.

The Friday-night program includes an interactive beginners' service, a d'var Torah (commentary), an explanation of Shabbat rituals and a kosher meal with others who are knowledgeable about Judaism. The event concludes with singing and dancing.

"Basically, it's a taste of Shabbat," Buchwald says. "It's a quality time for families."

Most participating congregations, which will follow up the event with NJOP Hebrew courses and other activities geared for newcomers, found an increase in membership and attendance at synagogue activities after last year's program, he says.

"People have gotten involved in Jewish life because of this one event."