Make and Toot your own horn! High Holiday Fair!

Make & Toot your own Horn

Preparing for the High Holidays, the Shofar Factory Workshop comes to Milford!

On Sunday, September 11, 2016, adults, students and children of all ages from the greater Milford area will get the unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop, crafting their own Shofars, or ram's horn, for the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year, coinciding this year with October 2 2016.

The Shofar is perhaps the oldest wind instrument known to mankind. Consisting of a simple, hollowed horn from a ram or similar animal (such as a kudu), the instrument produces a haunting, almost mystical tone. "The Shofar generates an other-worldly sound. It's very soulful, stirring, eco-friendly, and open to much interpretation," said Rabbi Mendy Kivman, director of the Chabad Jewish Center and sponsor of the Shofar Factory. "Each individual hears something else in the Shofar's voice. Thus it’s most fitting and quite uplifting for the Shofar to be blown during the High Holidays, the holiest Jewish season of the year."

According to Jewish history, the sound of a Shofar accompanied G-d's giving of the Torah (the Bible) to the ancient Hebrews, the ancestors of Jews today, as they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai in the Middle Eastern wilderness. In addition, Jewish tradition has it that the Messianic Era, a time of world peace & tranquility, will be ushered in with the sounding of the great Shofar.

The Shofar is sounded in Jewish houses of worship on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and at the end of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, for several reasons, not least among them is its unique sound. Chassidism teaches that the call of the Shofar is reminiscent of the pure voice of the soul," explained Rabbi Kivman. "At Rosh Hashanah, the soul strives to touch the Divine. Also the various notes sounded with the Shofar remind one of weeping, which stirs people to improve their ways, which is among the central themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur."

Visitors to the Milford Shofar Factory will learn just what criteria an animal's horn must meet in order to qualify as a genuine Shofar, after which they may choose to sand, shellac and polish their very own horns and then learn how the traditional notes are sounded. Additionally, children will have the opportunity to enjoy a petting zoo from a nearby farm and a beekeeper will demonstrate how honey is made, props and all. This Holiday Fair will include crafts, delicious traditional round Challah and delicious candied apples.

The Shofar Factory is open to the general public.

Sunday, September 11; from 2:00-4:00 pm

At the Chabad Center – 34 Cedar Street in Milford , MA.

Admission to the presentation and workshop is $10 per person, shofar included. For more information and to reserve, contact Rabbi Mendy Kivman at: www.GotChabad.com – 508-473-1299 – Rabbi@GotChabad.com