SAN DIEGO – Why is listening to the shofar sound a mitzvah? A shofar is an ancient musical instrument typically made of a ram’s horn and used for religious purposes. The shofar lacks pitch-altering devices, and all pitch control is done by the players embouchure. Shofars come in a variety of sizes and shapes and depending on the choice of the animal and level of finish.
Many that gather for Rosh Hashanah have a community shofar blower so that everyone in the group can be witness to the sounds of the shofar and be part of the mitzvah. Halakhic (Jewish law) authorities recommend consulting a rabbi if a situation occurs where the mitzvah is to hear a recording if a live shofar blower is not available or if the person has health reasons they cannot attend in person. Personally, I close my eyes and listen and imagine ancestors sounding the shofar to welcome the New Year.
Although, it is blasted on Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, it has also been used as a sign of victory and celebration. When the Nazis surrendered, many blew their shofars in 1945. At the inauguration ceremony of the President of Israel, a shofar is blown.
A funny story about shofars and Freckles our angora rabbit: My 12-year old twins wanted real shofars instead of the plastic ones I purchased for them years ago. We went to a program at the Lawrence Family JCC where they both got real shofars and were taught how to blow them and sand them. They were excited and commented on how they were very smelly. Hence, why I thought they probably would not like them.
Nevertheless, we brought them home and a night or two later I was at a program and checked my phone afterwards. I had multiple texts from my husband about Freckles acting weird. She was stomping her back feet and the kids were scared since she had never done that before. In the rabbit world, that behavior either means she is upset about something, or she is alerting her rabbit friends there is danger, a predator nearby. I gave him suggestions of giving her some fruit which I knew she would not deny since rabbits have a sweet tooth. He said she would not touch it.
So, when I came home, I forgot about it until she thumped her back feet. I started problem solving. I went outside with a flashlight looking for a coyote or something that might be in the backyard and didn’t find anything. After a long search and asking her what was wrong, I walked past the shofars on the dining room table and thought to myself “wow, those really stink.” A light bulb in my head finally went off and realized the real shofars being rams horns smelled like a dangerous animal so no wonder she was scared. I took them out to the garage where they have stayed ever since. Except when Rosh Hashanah comes around and the kids blow them in the backyard. We always laugh about this story and how we had no idea how scary shofars can be.
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UPCOMING HIGH HOLY DAY EVENTS
Lawrence Family JCC announces “Shabbat Market – Rosh Hashanah” at 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19. Organizers describe the Shabbat Market as the ultimate one-stop shop for everything you need for the upcoming High Holidays. Click here to rsvp.
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Chabad of East County invites the community to attend High Holiday services. The schedule is as follows: Erev Rosh Hashanah service at 6 p.m., and Community Dinner at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2. Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Service at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct.3 and Tashlich in the Park at 5 p.m. at Lake Murray Community Park. Rosh Hashanah Day 2 at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 4. Kol Nidrei Yom Kippur Service at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct.11. Yom Kippur Day at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 and Yizkor Memorial Service at noon. Click here to register…. Chabad of East County’s Jewish Women’s Circle announces “A Taste of Tradition” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25. An evening highlighting traditional foods with a modern twist. Click here to rsvp and receive address.
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Congregation Beth Israel presents “Young S’lichot and S’mores” at 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 on the Lower Field. A short S’lichot service, sound the shofar and munch on s’mores…. Congregation Beth Israel also announces a S’lichot Program and Service “From Out of the Depths, Finding Hope: Lessons and Reflections from Sha’ar HaNegev About Finding the Courage to Hope Again” at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 28 at the Foster Family Chapel. Heidi Gantwerk, President and CEO of Jewish Federation of San Diego will examine the ways in which the partnership between the San Diego Jewish community and Sha’ar HaNegev has brought moments of pain and moments of hope on both sides…. Caring Community announces “Supporting our Military for Rosh Hashanah. Last year, congregants generously provided round challot for Jewish military families and enlisted service members. Organizers are asking congregants if they are able to bake and bag challot, Click here to sign up and click here for more information.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue welcomes the community to High Holy Day Services starting with “Selichot” with the Choir at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28. “Erev Rosh Hashanah at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2. Rosh Hashanah Day 1 at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3. “Tashlich” with Congregation Dor Hadash at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 at Playa II Mission Bay. “Rosh Hashanah Day 2 at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 4. “Erev Yom Kippur” at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11. “Yom Kippur” Service at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 and Break the Fast at 7 p.m.…. Sisterhood announces “Round Challah Prep for Rosh Hashanah – Rosh Chodesh Event” at 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept.29. Create two loaves of round challah to take home and bake for Rosh Hashanah. Click here to rsvp.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue invites the community to Erev Rosh Hashanah Service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2. Rosh Hashanah Day 1 at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3. Rosh Hashanah Day 2 at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 4. Kol Nidre Yom Kippur at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11. Yom Kippur Day at 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue invites the community to “Selichot: Creating Light Within Darkness” at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28. The high school rock band from Kibbutz Dorot from the Sha’ar HaNegev area will be joining, through video to help illuminate the path of Teshuva. Click here to rsvp. “Tashlich” with Temple Emanu-El at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 at Lake Murray. It is recommended that instead of bread, participants bring duck pellets, bird seed, corn, or other environmentally friendly items to toss. “Break the Fast” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 following Tekiah Gedolah (the final blast of the Shofar. Click here to make your reservation. “Sukkot Oneg Shabbat in the Sukkah” after Shabbat services at 6:15 p.m., Friday, October 18. Click here to rsvp. “Simchat Torah Celebration” at 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23.
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Coastal Roots Farm announces “Nature Play Rosh Hashanah” at 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 29. Activities are scheduled for children ages 0-10 years old and their families complete with Rosh Hashanah-themed arts and crafts, story time, songs, and surprises. Click here to register…. Coastal Roots Farm also announces “Sukkot Harvest Festival” at noon, Sunday, Oct. 20. This intergenerational event offers a full day of activities, hands-on workshops, live music, and feasting. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El announces “Reverse Tashlikh” at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29 at Pacific Beach. This meaningful waterfront cleanup event is for all ages. Jewish communities around the world will participate in this annual waterfront cleanup, performing a mitzvah, and a new High Holy Day ritual to repair the sea. Click here to register…. Congregation Beth El also announces “Selihot: Focus on Forgiveness” and “Selihot Study Brunch” at 9 a.m., Sunday, September 29. Rabbi Ron Shulman and Ba’al Tefillah David Lipsitz will lead daily morning service and conclude with the sounding of the Shofar. Click here to register.
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Chabad of Downtown invites the community to attend High Holiday Services. Erev Rosh Hashanah at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2 followed by a festive holiday dinner. Rosh Hashanah service at 9 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 with Shofar by the Bay at 5:30 p.m., concluding with evening service at 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 2 at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 4. Erev Yom Kippur service at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11. Yom Kippur Day at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct, 12 with fast ending at 6:55 p.m. Click here to register.
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Chabad at Poway invites the community to Rosh Hashanah Evening Services and Dinner at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2. Rosh Hashanah Day 1 morning services at 9 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 and evening services at 6:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 2 morning service at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 4 and evening services at 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct.11 and Yom Kippur Day service at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 and Ne’ila Conclusion service at 5 p.m. Tashlich Service at 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct, 6 at Lake Poway. Click here to reserve your seat.
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Chabad of University City invites the community to Rosh Hashanah Shabbat Dinner at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4. Click here to rsvp…. Order your Lulav and Etrog by clicking here.
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Temple Emanu-El invites the community to attend High Holy Days Services. Erev Rosh Hashanah at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct.2. Rosh Hashanah morning service at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 and Tashlich Service at 5 p.m., at Lake Murray. Kol Nidre Yom Kippur Service at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11 and Yom Kippur Family Service at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 and Ne’ilah and Havdalah at 5:45 p.m. Erev Sukkot Under the Stars Service at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16. Sukkot Festival Service at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17. Erev Simchat Torah Dinner at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23. Simchat Torah Festival Service and Yizkor Memorial Prayers at 9 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 24.
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Anti-Defamation League of San Diego announces its “High Holidays Campaign” to help fight against antisemitism and hate in all forms. Funds raised will benefit the K-12 education initiatives such as No Place for Hate and Awareness Action. Click here to donate.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
The story about Freckles and the shofars reminds me of what happened with my daughter’s college diploma. Pomona college makes their diplomas out of real sheepskin. Our daughter left her diploma on the dining room table overnight and our labrador retriever, smelled it and was able to reach it and took it under the table and ate it. I was very embarrassed to call the college and ask for a duplicate and gave them the reason. They were very nice and said it was not the first time, a dog had eaten a diploma.