This week, the two friends were among about 50 local schoolchildren who got a hands-on lesson about the history of the shofar at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center in Bayside.

The shofar is an instrument fashioned from a ram or sheep's horn that is central to the observance of the Jewish New Year, which begins today at sundown.

As part of the special program for youths from Middle School 158, Public School 169 and Intermediate School 25, Julie, Eva and the others were taught how to measure, cut, sand and drill real ram's horns into shofars, following in a tradition that has been around for more than 5,000 years.

"The sound of the shofar is similar to an alarm because it is loud enough to wake people up and tells God I am here and makes God notice you," said Julie.

"I feel like I have actually prepared for the holiday and have done an important mitzvah [good deed]," said Eva.

During the workshop, the young students learned where a shofar comes from (the horn of a ram or sheep), and how it becomes kosher (the animal must have a split hoof and has to chew its cud).

They also learned that when a shofar is blown, it makes a high-pitched sound similar to a baby's wail, and that it is used to call Jews to repent and awaken them to the service of God.

Once the students completed the finishing touches on their shofars, they received a lesson on how to blow the holy horn.

"The first few times I tried it was difficult, because you have to blow really hard. But after they showed me to make a V with my middle and pointer fingers and hold my mouth to blow on it, it worked," Julie said. "Now, if a family member can't make it to temple, I can blow my shofar for them."

Traveling craftsmen

The shofar-making session is a project of the Brooklyn-based Tzivos Hashem, an affiliate of the Chabad Lubavitch Worldwide Movement. The movement - one of the largest Jewish childrens' organizations in the world - was established in 1980 by the Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson.

Skilled craftsmen from Tzivos Hashem travel to schools, camps and youth organizations in the metropolitan area to demonstrate shofar-making and other ancient crafts.

"When a kid learns how to blow a shofar, it is no longer a mystery that only rabbis can do. They feel grownup and more connected to their Jewish heritage," said Michoel Albukerk, head of Tzivos Hashem.

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews pray for God's forgiveness, for a good year and for long life. The solemn holy day also begins the 10-day period of penitence, a time set aside for sincere contemplation and introspection that concludes on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Originally published on September 26, 2003