L'Shana Tova!

 Hello Everyone, 

A new year for Jews is upon us now. We look back on our lives so far, at today's situation and look forward hoping to make improvements that will bring peace to us, our loved ones and the world. Certainly 2020 (5780) has been quite a year to remember. As difficult as it has been it has also forced us to look beyond and think about how to improve ourselves and our world. 

So we think, reflect, pray and..... blow the shofar!!! 

In this blog post I offer you three exciting videos to usher in the Jewish New Year. The description below is from one of those videos. 

L'Shana Tova!! Our sages tell us that 5781 (2020) will be a year of wonders and miracles. From their mouths to G-d's ears please!! 

THE SHOFAR: (source: https://youtu.be/Rnkb7M3dKTg) 

The Shofar is the only biblical instrument that is still in use exactly as it was back then in old times. The shofar is an ancient Jewish liturgical instrument. A natural trumpet, made from a ram's horn. This blast of biblical horn is believed by the Jewish faith to open up the gates of heaven. The Shofar is the Jewish calling voice. It was used in ancient Israel to announce the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) and call people together. We meet it in the bible during times of joy and war and in the temple. The Shofar is related to forgiveness and mercy month and it is blown in every Israeli community during Rosh Hashanah (New Year). The blasts of the shofar are wake-up calls. Rosh Hashanah is the time to shake out of our spiritual slumber, reconnect to our source, and recommit to our divine mission in this world. It is considered a mitzvah (commandment) to hear the shofar blown. Using the Shofar as a musical instrument is rare. This blast of biblical horn is believed by the Jewish faith to open up the gates of heaven