There’s no need to travel far to do Kiruv. More than 63% of Brooklyn’s Jews are not affiliated. One organization, Brooklyn Jewish Xperience Kiruv Center (BJX) is busy each day reaching out to Brooklyn’s unaffiliated Jews. BJX is partnering with the Shabbos Project of South Africa and Jews around the world to bring Shabbos to Brooklyn’s unaffiliated Jews this Shabbos, Parshas Noach. “There’s no magic formula” says Rabbi Moshe Fingerer. “Reaching out requires patience and Ahavas Yisroel.  It’s easy to extend an invitation for a Shabbos meal once you’re friendly with your neighbor or local young professional.” To help inspire and galvanize Brooklyn’s frum community, BJX will be offering a special seminar tonight at 8:45pm on how to master the art of inviting secular or less affiliated Jews to your home for a Shabbos. BJX can share the secret because they host unique and memorable Shabbatons each week for Brooklyn’s secular and less affiliated college students and young professionals. “I am delighted that other shuls- and the Flatbush community as a whole- will be joining the BJX model” said Rabbi Moshe Fingerer. “This is very exciting and I hope that the momentum will grow and continue.”

In addition to BJX’s weekly Shabbos Project, they conduct daily educational classes and programs for college students and young professionals. BJX includes the unaffiliated each Yom Tov as well. On Yom Kippur they ran out of both seats and Machzorim. An interesting highlight at BJX was that a number of young professionals from Brooklyn fasted for the first time on Yom Kippur and had their first opportunity to shake Esrog and Lulav. BJX celebrated Sukkos each day with a hot Kiddush and the shul heard riveting divrei Torah each night from the Rav of BJX, Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer. Simchas Torah was a sight to behold. Not only was BJX full with secular and unaffiliated, but some of them even opted to sleep over for the entire Yom Tov. Frum families decided that they wanted to be mechazick their unaffiliated brethren and joined BJX for the leibidig hakfos and dancing. Visitors from as far away as England and Israel joined BJX. On Simchas Torah there was an added joy when a few secular young professionals, such as Brian, received their first Aliyah. The shul broke out into spontaneous dancing after Brian completed he completed his Bracha over the Torah. Brian’s next stop is the BJX Crash Course in Hebrew so he can learn the Aleph Beis and how to read Hebrew and daven.

“BJX is very excited about Parshas Noach. It gives us the opportunity to share with the community the magic that transpires every Shabbos at BJX, in which unaffiliated Jews experience the beauty and fun of Shabbos,” said Rav Yitzchok Fingerer. The BJX mission is to invite as many Jews from Brooklyn to experience Shabbos and then benefit from all the follow up classes, events and 1 on 1 learning the BJX center offers.

BJX is in the process of opening its second branch on East 16^th street (off of Kings Highway). BJX is dedicated to creating a brighter Jewish future and hopes to reach out to even more unaffiliated Jews this year.

Tonight’s special seminar is devoted to helping the community prepare for the Shabbos Project. It’s at 8:45pm, for men and women.