Feb. 6 Invest/Retire Jan

Rosh Hashanah

Sam Sachs shopping for a shofar in Israel.

I think the most difficult part [is] different for different people. For instance, my mom has never even been able to get a note out. Personally, changing notes has been the most difficult part. I am just starting to get the hang of changing pitch in the middle of a particular note, and I’ve been working on it for a decade! Just recently, I have gained the ability to produce three notes in one blow. That is definitely something I am still working on, though.

I practice every day in the month leading up to the High Holidays. For the rest of the year, I focus on trumpet.

This role is meaningful for me because I am able to call all the people in my temple to prayer. I feel I can connect with them, especially because it is such an exciting part of the service. It makes me feel like I can give back to a community that has given so much to me.

This will be the first year that I am blowing the shofar for the temple without Marty [Einhorn] at my side. I have always felt that I gave the temple my all when I blow the shofar, but this year I am hoping to honor him as well. When I blow the shofar in front of people, I definitely feel nervous.

I know the inspiration I would feel when I listened to Marty blow the shofar, and I hope I can provide that for people someday.

Stan Tickton.