The sound of the ram’s horn — the Shofar — is a fixture of the Jewish High Holidays, calling all to begin the introspection for the 10 days of awe. However, where did it come from?
At 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, join the next Learn, Laugh & Love program, “The Shofar — Understanding Our True Voices,” with Rabbi Aron Rubin of the Community Kollel of Kansas City to learn more about this iconic symbol. This is a virtual program due to safety and health restrictions.
This program is part of the monthly Learn, Laugh & Love series presented by Jewish Family Services and The Heritage Center of the Jewish Community Center (The J). Rabbi Rubin will discuss the significance of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. What do the various sounds represent? Why do Jews use a ram’s horn and why only during the High Holidays? What is the deeper meaning behind it and some messages that we can bring into our lives?
This will be an opportunity to learn more about the most central element of Rosh Hashanah, just a day before the High Holidays begin.
Rabbi Rubin is originally from Melbourne, Australia, moving to the Kansas City area with his family to run the Kansas City Kollel in August 2019. He studied for two years at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel and returned to Melbourne, where he completed a double bachelor’s degree in food science and chemical engineering. After completing his degree, he moved to New York where he studied for rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University.
Rabbi Rubin has performed rabbinic internships in two synagogues on Long Island, New York, and has also been a middle school teacher at Westchester Torah Academy in New Rochelle, New York. In addition to his duties with the Kansas City Kollel, Rabbi Rubin also teaches at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. He is passionate about teaching Torah and communal involvement and has an interest in cooking and baking, jogging and indoor gardening.
“The Shofar” is a Zoom program, so no advance reservations are necessary. To participate, use this link: www.ksu.zoom.us/j/91278799443; Meeting ID: 912 7879 9443. For questions, contact Susie Hurst, JFS director of Family Life Education, at g.
All Learn Laugh & Love programs are free and open to the public.