The Great Shofar Blowout: Ushering the days of awe and introspection, this coming Rosh Chodesh Elul (August 17) hundreds of Jews will gather in Salem Massachusttes to blow some tekiahs for a chance to be in the Guiness Book Of World Records – for the most Shofars being blown at one time.

For nervous novices, there will be free one-hour training sessions, called “Tiku Shofar,” leading up to the big day; plus, several day camps and Jewish organizations will give lessons. Don’t have your own horn? No worries; participants will receive a free shofar direct from Israel.

* That’s better than some dumb “Sho-far sho good” pun.