RESERVATIONS FOR THE SHOFAR FACTORY ARE NOW CLOSED

The Shofar Factory

Cut. Drill. BLAST!

The Shofar Factory offers an engaging, hands-on experience where participants learn all about the Shofar, its significance, and the craftsmanship behind it.

Each participant will have the opportunity to create an authentic Shofar!

It's an unforgettable experience, with memories that will last a lifetime.

This workshop is designed for children ages 4-12 but is equally engaging and appropriate for teens and adults.

It’s time to have a BLAST!


📅 Sunday, August 30

🕐 1:00 PM

📍 JCrafts Center, 14803 D Southlawn Ln., Rockville, MD 20850

Full Rundown:

  • The workshop begins with a fascinating display of horns from different animals, encouraging participants to identify which horn belongs to each. Antiques and rare trumpets are also presented, giving the group a chance to see and even blow these unique instruments. As the horns are passed around, participants are encouraged to examine them closely, gaining a tactile sense of their structure and uniqueness.

  • Once the correct horn is identified, the group embarks on the process of creating a shofar from scratch. The first step involves determining how deep the opening in the horn is, which helps guide where to cut the shofar. Volunteers assist the facilitator in curing the horn, cutting off part of the un-hollowed horn, and drilling the connection hole. After widening the hole to achieve the right sound, participants help smooth the horn using an electric sander, making the mouthpiece comfortable for blowing. Throughout the process, the program provides tips on how to best blow this ancient instrument, while also emphasizing the shofar’s importance and relevance, especially during the High Holidays.

  • At the conclusion, the rabbi offers a crash course on the meaning behind the various shofar sounds and demonstrates with the freshly-made shofar. The workshop also delves into the cognitive aspect by focusing on science-based takeaways, and emphasizes that the mitzvah is not only to blow the horn but to listen attentively to its sound. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of the shofar’s message and how it can be applied throughout the year.