The Shofar: A Sound that Awakens the Soul

Dr. Robert Goldberg lifts the shofar to end the Yom Kippur services in the synagogue of Seashore Gardens Living Center. It was a special time at Seashore Gardens Living Center for residents, family members, friends and many employees who gathered in the Synagogue to attend this year’s Yom Kippur services led by Rabbi Mosha Math. Residents of the Jewish Faith from Assisted Living and Nursing Care filled the synagogue to capacity. Beautiful flowers were placed on the Bema, which added beauty to the synagogue for this important High Holiday.

The highlight of the Yom Kippur services is typically at the conclusion, which is when the Blowing of the Shofar occurs. Dr. Robert Goldberg blew the Shofar, which signified the end of services. Dr. Goldberg shared his story with the center on how he came to learn the Shofar by writing the following:

“It was a warm sunny day in September 1956. A fourthgrader was walking along Ventnor Avenue, coming home from grade school. In his right hand was a case with a schoolsupplied clarinet. Not from South American Granadilla wood, as are fine instruments, but of a metal alloy. It was a rented clarinet from the Troy Avenue elementary school. It was new to him, and he practiced it diligently, every morning at 7 a.m.. Just ask the neighbors.

“He awaited his weekly lesson from Angie Marrandino, a local band leader who, with his brother, Vic, and his father, were the best-known musicians in the “Old” Atlantic City. He knew how tight it was for his parents to make the lesson payments. As he passed Beth Judah Congregation, a block from the school, Rabbi Harry Jolt, z”l, stepped outside into the bright September sun. “What is that?”, he inquired of the lad. “It’s my clarinet,” replied the little boy. “Would you like to try shofar?” asked the Rabbi. “Well, sure, I can try.” First, a dark-colored shofar, then a light tan. Mr. Abraham Ellenbogen (the shammas) taught the little boy the notes, ‘Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, Tekiah Gedolah!’

“At first it was the Junior Congregation for some years until he was a teenager. By that time, there was a new shammas, but he was not well; his heart was failing as was his strength. ‘Would you be able to sound for the congregation?’ Anxiously, the little boy ascended the bema. ‘Tekiah,’ called out the rabbi. The blast of the shofar reverberated from the back wall of the main sanctuary, and echoed back to the bema. The congregants looked up, in amazement. They craned their necks to see. ‘Shevarim, Teruah,’ intoned the Rabbi. Again and again the blasts reverberated. A chill of gooseflesh came over the shofar blower; again and again the blasts. And now the congregation looked for the source. Who is he?

“Forty nine years have come and gone since that day. The little boy grew up, and time has left its marks. He no longer is at Beth Judah, but sounds the shofar to a congregation in the twilight of their lives, at the local Jewish nursing and assisted living home, Seashore Gardens Living Center. The mainly female group, many in wheelchairs, can no longer go out to the shuls of their earlier years, with their loved ones. The little boy inside the grown man comes there, to enable them to g fulfill the mitzvah of hearing shofar. Tears well up in their eyes as they hear the ancient sounds.

‘Tekiah...Shevarim...Terualh... Tekiah Gedolah!

“The little boy inside waits all year long to re-emerge as he lifts the shofar – “Tekiah...”

Martin H. Klein, President and CEO states, “Seashore Gardens Living Center appreciates Dr. Goldberg sharing his talents with residents, family members and employees every year on Yom Kippur by his Blowing the Shofar. Indeed it is an integral part of the Yom Kippur services and by sharing his talents he is enriching the quality of life of residents in a very unique and heart-felt way.”