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CONTACT: Ilya Welfeld --- JUST IN TIME FOR ROSH HASHANA, KALMAN FEINBERG FROM TEANECK, NJ IS NAMED BEST SHOFAR BLOWER IN AMERICA AT TODAY'S GREAT SHOFAR BLAST OFF IN NEW YORK CITY--- Late Night Music Icon Shaffer joined other NY Notables to Judge the Finals of a National Shofar Blowing Competition in Herald Square on Sept 22 NEW YORK, NY; September 22, 2005 - The National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) announced today that Kalman Feinberg of Teaneck, NJ was named the Best Shofar Blower in America at today's Great Shofar Blast Off competition in New York City. Feinberg who has been blowing the shofar for 31 years beat out 9 other finalists in the national competition. Paul Shaffer, Music Director for the Late Show, pop musician Kenny Vance and Marlene Wallach, President of Wilhelmina Kids and Creative Management modeling agency were among the judges for this event in Herald Square Park, NYC. "Congratulations to Kalman Feinberg," said Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald, Founder and Director of NJOP. "We were thrilled to have Paul Shaffer join us for the event and were overwhelmed by the talents of our contestants. In advance of the Jewish high holidays, we took the shofar from the synagogue to the streets. We hope that the Great Shofar Blast-Off will awaken in Jews the desire to attend their local High Holiday Beginners Services." Event highlights included a performance by an 8 year-old entrant who was dubbed an honorary finalist as well as one long united blast by all entrants and several event attendees. "It was a one of a kind event, the first ever to my knowledge," said Paul Shaffer. "Each of the contestants was terrific and the final blast with shofars in unison was a killer." Shofar blowing finalists from around the U.S. were selected for the finals (based on video tape submissions) and flown into NYC for the live, public event today. The panel of judges evaluated the finalists' skills based on clarity of sound, accuracy according to Jewish law, length of blast and overall performance. "On Rosh Hashana we commemorate the creation of the world and recognize God as the Creator and supreme ruler of the universe and begin the service with the shofar like a herald announcing the arrival of the king," said Great Shofar Blast Off winner Kalman Feinberg. "This … media event was great for outreach and I was glad to be there in that capacity and pleased to win! You never get the opportunity to hear other people blow shofar and even yesterday I couldn't judge how well it went but it was so gratifying to see how other people felt." Paul Shaffer has been David Letterman's musical director and sidekick for over 21 years. Shaffer holds two honorary doctorate degrees and was recently inducted into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame. About the contest: NJOP challenged shofar blowers to "blow them away" by submitting a video tape, DVD, or video clip showcasing their shofar blowing skills. The Great Shofar Blast-Off is aimed, in part, at inspiring unaffiliated Jews to participate in NJOP's High Holiday Beginners Services which are held at synagogues across North America. Deadline for entries was August 31, 2005. Complete rules and the entry form and information about NJOP's Beginners Services can be found at www.njop.org. Herald Square Park is located on 34th Street (between Sixth and Broadway) in New York city and is managed by the 34th Street Partnership (34SP.) The National Jewish Outreach Program has worked closely with 34SP in planning this event.
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