The city of Ofakim has informed its residents that it has arranged for a team of volunteers to visit the homes of residents in quarantine and blow shofars, allowing them to participate in the Rosh Hashanah tradition despite not being able to attend synagogue services.
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The volunteers are all residents of Ofakim and represent various sectors of the population. The only requirement is that they be able to blow a shofar.
Social activist Israel Revach, a resident of Ofakim who is one of the brains behind the project, told Israel Hayom last week that 10 participants had already signed up.
"The wonderful response to a similar initiative last year caused us to hold it this year, too," Revach said.
Meanwhile, as Israel and the world continue to struggle with the effects of the ongoing COVID crisis, organizers of the annual Shofar in the Park intiative have expanded the program's scope to cater to increased interest for outdoor shofar blowing in hundreds in locations around the country.
Marking Rosh Hashanah on Tuesday, Sept. 7, the outdoor programming from the Ohr Torah Stone network's Yachad Jewish Identity program in partnership with the Tzohar Rabbinical organization will accommodate as many people as possible while observing Health Ministry guidelines.
"The shofar is a prayer that is unshackled by words," said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone. "Over the past year, we have seen just how much pain and fracture words can cause. But at the same time, words are often not powerful enough to articulate how what divides us is overpowered by that which unites us as a people and a civil society. The piercing sound of the shofar shatters the barriers between ourselves and God; between ourselves and our loved ones; between us and believers of other religions; and even between us and ourselves."
"This year, more than ever, we need to develop the power of listening and hearing," said Tzohar founder Rabbi David Stav.
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