Young army recruited for shofar service

By Donald H. Harrison

Donald H. Harrison
Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO – In the space of an afternoon, Tifereth Israel Synagogue developed an enthusiastic corps of some 40 shofar blowers ready to sound off during Yom Kippur services Oct. 11 and 12.

It all started when Olga Worm, a former president of the Conservative congregation’s Sisterhood signed up to blow the shofar during Rosh Hashanah services Oct. 3.  When she was growing up, girls didn’t get to blow the shofar—at least not publicly—so she contented herself with blowing the shofar at home.

But times, they’ve changed, and now it’s commonplace to see women on the bima as rabbis, cantors, congregation presidents, and, yes, shofar blowers.

Olga Worm, left, teaches a class the notes of a shofar
Olga Worm, left, teaches a class the calls of a shofar

Worm told San Diego Jewish World that the universe of shofar blowers seems to be shrinking each year, so she decided to do something about it.  She persuaded fellow board members that the Sisterhood should purchase small shofars in bulk—at about $15 apiece – and distribute them among the students at Tifereth Israel’s Torah school.

On Wednesday, Worm went with an entourage from classroom to classroom and told the students that they too could learn to blow a shofar.  After letting each child pick an individual shofar, she explained that although “blow the shofar” is a common expression, making it work is more a matter of buzzing one’s lips than blowing air through the shofar, which is made from the horn of a ram.

The shofar amplifies whatever sound one makes with one’s lips, rather than playing notes of its own, she said.

Rob Nosan demonstrates his technique for sounding the shofar. At his left is Jerry Hermes, president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue
Rob Nosan demonstrates his technique for sounding the shofar. At his left is Jerry Hermes, president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue

With the help of Rob Nosan, an accomplished performer on the shofar, she taught the students the four musical calls of a shofar..  Tekiah is a long single note.  Shevarim are three medium length notes.  Teruah is a succession of nine short notes.  A variation on Tekiah is Tekiah Gedol in which the shofar is sounded for as long as one’s breath can hold out.

Soon the classroom was a cacophony of sound as the students tried out their instruments.  At one point, Worm’s little grandson, who was accompanying her, put his hands to his ears to drown out the sound.

But order was brought out of the chaos when Worm had the students practice together so well that after a while  they sounded quite seasoned, as if they had been buzzing on the ram’s horn for years and years rather than for minutes and minutes.

Torah school children at Tifereth Israel Synagogue try to match Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal note for note on the shofar
Torah school children at Tifereth Israel Synagogue try to match Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal note for note on the shofar

After all the teaching sessions were completed, the students made their way to the synagogue’s sanctuary, where under the watchful eyes of members of the Sisterhood and Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal, who offered a traditional shehekiyanu blessing,  the students performed with enthusiasm.

They will be called up during Yom Kippur to do it again – en masse—which likely will bring out even greater numbers of their parents for the services.

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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World.  He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com.  Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)