The blowing of a shofar, or ram’s horn, is a Jewish tradition signaling the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. (photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org)

Hollywood Temple Beth El is offering a free workshop on how to blow a shofar on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 10:30 a.m.

Everyone who attends High Holy Day services at the temple will be given the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah with the sounding of the shofar. The session will include the blessings of the shofar and its significant, as well as drills in getting the ram’s horn to sound the notes of the festival.

“The shofar is one of the world’s most ancient of musical instruments, and it is used to usher in this season,” said Rabbi Norbert Weinberg. “The shofar is traditionally made from the horn of a ram, which has been hollowed out and given a trumpet-like mouthpiece. No two shofars are alike, unlike metal trumpets, so getting the ancient notes of ‘tekiah, truah, tekiah’ can be a challenge. However, once the sound comes out, the effect is hair-raising. While a shofar may be around a foot or so in length, Jews of Yemen used a one-yard horn of the African kudu, a kind of antelope.”

Participants should bring their own shofar.

Hollywood Temple Beth El is located at 1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd. Reservations in advance can be made at htbel.org, or email temple@htbel.org.