Ed Pinn can’t remember how he heard about Shabbat Across America. He does, however, know two things: he has been involved with the program for 10 years, and he thought it was a wonderful opportunity for outreach.

Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) in Chester is one of the many synagogues across the United States and Canada hosting the program, which includes dinner and a short Shabbat service on Friday, March 3 at 6 p.m. There is no cost for the event.

“I heard about it, and I thought it was a great vehicle to engage the community with the congregation,” Pinn said.

Pinn wanted to make clear that the event is open to people who are not members of the Chester synagogue or, indeed, of any synagogue.

“It is outreach to the Jewish community whether or not you are affiliated,” Pinn said, adding, “We also want to reach out to people in interfaith marriages.”

The service will include music from CBSRZ cantor Belinda Brennan, as well as guitar and song from interim Rabbi Daniel Price. Rabbi Marci Bellows, CBSRZ’s spiritual leader, is on sabbatical until mid-March.

Pinn said that over the 10 years that he has headed the program at CBSRZ, one ongoing--and unexpected--challenge has been poaching the salmon, the main course at the Shabbat meal. The problem was getting the fish out of the poacher and onto the serving plate without breaking up the large piece of salmon.

“You have to flip it,” Pinn explained.

However, over the years, Pinn has developed a technique that minimizes risk.

“He’s honed his skills,” noted Pinn’s wife Linda.

Pinn explained he did not cook the salmon alone, but had a reliable crew he had helped over the years.

The dinner also includes lasagna contributed by Bob Zemmel of Alforno Trattoria in Old Saybrook. Pinn recalled a lasagna crisis the year the pilot light on the stove went out. He had trouble restarting the light, which was on the bottom of the stove. He was on the floor trying his best to ignite it.

“All the lasagna was just sitting there, and nothing was happening,” he said.

In the end, with the help of another CBSRZ congregant, the pilot light was finally ignited.

Pinn, who grew up in New Haven, retired two years ago after more than 40 years as an optometrist practicing along the shoreline. He looks forward every year to organizing Shabbat Across America at CBSRZ.

“I like to take up a position at the end of the table and take in the scene, all the families enjoying themselves,” he said. “It gives me great pleasure.”

The Shabbat Across America event is on Friday, March 3 at 6 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester. The event is free, but registration is required. For more info or to register, contact office@cbsrz.org or 860-526-8920.