As most of you know, Friday night begins the Jewish High Holy Days, which are inaugurated with Rosh Ha'shanah (New Year) and close a week later with Yom Keypoor (Day of Atonement - hey, it's all a phonetic transcription, may as well spell it like it sounds).
Most people don't know a lot about the holiday, except that the Jews have this crazy horn they blow. The folks at Aish Ha'Torah (lit. Flame of the Torah/Bible) offer one answer to the question: why do they do that?
Aish.com also calls the Shofar "The Sound of Freedom."
I'd like to say Happy New Year to all people of Jewish background.
I hope this new year brings safety, prosperity and peace to the Jewish people and particularly the Jewish state of Israel.
Thanks, Winston!