Shofar Corps

On September 13, nine very eager preteens and teenagers along with three volunteer adults from the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation B'nai Israel embarked on a wonderful mitzvah of sounding the shofar for individuals in Fair Lawn unable to attend synagogue services during the High Holy Days. This group, called Shofar Corps, began learning about the shofar and training to sound the shofar in the months of May and June. At the end of their training, they each either composed original writings or found compositions about the shofar. Those pieces were then compiled into a shofar service, which was conducted at the homes of 9 individuals identified through the Jewish Family Services of North Jersey.


The idea was born from a conversation between Rabbi Ronald Roth, spiritual leader, and Stuart Alper, President of the Men's Progress Club. Leah Kaufman, Executive Director of the JFSNJ provided the list of people in need and desiring the service. The Men's Progress Club donated shofarot for the Corps members to take home and practice, printed the services and provided lunch to the members prior to leaving for their destinations. Through the Men's Progress Club, the Shofar Corps also provided honey cake to the individuals, a symbolic and traditional gesture to welcome in a sweet year.

The Shofar Corps members were also honored during Yom Kippur services by sounding the final shofar blast which concludes the period of fasting and praying.


“It was a really wonderful experience," said Miranda Alper, one on the Corps members. “We went to the house of one woman who recently had eye surgery," she continued. "Our service was the first thing she had been able to read since her surgery, and she said it was a wonderful start to being able to see again. She enjoyed our service and our company. I can't wait to do it again next year."

Lily Shinkar, one of the adult supervisors, shared a similar experience. "We drove to the house of an elderly man, who was waiting for us at the front door. You could see from his facial expression how grateful he was for our visit. After the final Tekiah Godolah was sounded, he told us the children's shofar blowing was better than going to temple. After we left another home, I thanked the woman for having us, and she quickly said, ‘why are you thanking me? I am the one that is grateful for your visit.”
Her son, Zachary, is no stranger to volunteer work. “This was just like I expected. It is really wonderful when you realize that you have put a smile on someone's face who otherwise might not be smiling. I will definitely do this again next year, and I hope more kids participate and we visit more homes."


“The first time they heard the shofar you could see the smile on their faces,” said Brian Toron, a High School Junior. He said that some of the people his group visited were frail, but they perked up when they heard the familiar tone.

All in all, it was a very rewarding experience for these young adults, and every person in every home expressed their sincere gratitude and joy over being visited by these special young adults and hearing the shofar live.

Shofar Corps 2010 Photos
Shofar Corps 2009 Photos