We’ve been tooting our own horn for over 3000 years.

And we’re pretty good at it.

We Jews have been blowing the Shofar, a simple hollowed out ram’s horn, for thousands of years in celebration of Rosh Hashana, or the Head of the Year – also known as the birthday of humanity.

A blast from the past.

The frequencies and vibrations that emanate from the horn are of ancient formulation and have been blown by Jews in thousands of cities around the world, in times of both peace and persecution.

Sweet toot.

Their precise sequence of short, medium and long blasts, and their combination of both bass and treble, are known to have positive personal, global and cosmic effect.

Not coming to a theater near you.

Shofar in the Park will happen once: Thursday, October 3 at the West 86-90 Street Landscape on 86th Street and Central Park West (NE corner entrance), between 4 and 6pm. It won’t be broadcasted, rebroadcasted, or podcasted.

In fact, according to ancient prescription, one must hear the blasts directly from the Shofar itself. No medium will do – not a microphone, not CNN, not even a slight echo. It’s a “you-had-to-be-there” kind of a moment.

Happy New Ear!

No two people experience the Shofar in the same way. Some hear a battle cry, calling them to action. Others recall the innocence of their youth. Some hear a victory blast, that “Yes, I can overcome my obstacles.” Others are freed from the painful tears they never dared cry. Some remember home. Others that it’s time to roam.

Don’t be an echo.

Though the messages to be heard in the Shofar’s notes are as numerous as there are people, here’s just one: Don’t live your life vicariously through others, carrying their opinions and mimicking popular beliefs. Like the Shofar blast, live your life first-hand and be an original.

Escape the horn honking for horn blowing.

This October 3, duck out of the New York City hubbub for an hour of refuge at the Norman Landscape in Central Park. Return to a simpler, more essential state, together with fellow New Yorkers. Hear the stirring, unadulterated blasts of the Shofar as we reflect on our collective birthday. And walk away with a message that you were carrying all along.

A bit about our Master Blaster, Haim Avitsur.