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Meet Michael T. Chusid, Ba’al Tekiah

Michael T. Chusid blows his shofar in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California where he is ba’al tekiah – shofar master blaster – at Makom Ohr Shalom Synagogue. His paternal grandfather, Ben Chusid, immigrated to the United States from Breslov, Ukraine and revealed that Michael is a tenth generation descendent from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a revered teacher of Jewish spirituality and great-grandson of the Ba’al Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism. The Rebbe’s final teaching was on the shofar. Michael notes that his book, Shofar: The Still Small Voice of the Ram’s Horn, his first foray into spiritual teaching, is on the same topic and prays the he be worthy of the yichus – family heritage.

Michael is a father, stepfather, and husband. He is also an architect, a Fellow of the Construction Specifications Institute, and a Certified Construction Specifier. His company, Chusid Associates (www.chusid.com) provides marketing and architectural consultations to building product manufacturers.

He has taught shofar at the American Jewish University, Hebrew Union College, and Limmud in Los Angeles, California, conducts workshops internationally for synagogue, community, and private groups, and participates in a Shofar Corp that sounds shofar for the sick and confined.

What Others Say about Michael

“I am deeply impressed by the extensive research you have done, revealing the obvious passion you have for your subject. You've done an amazing job of presenting marvelous teachings and beautiful stories connected with the sweet and mysterious experience of hearing shofar, and you offer clear instructions on the way to brings one's heart into the sounding of the ram's horn. It gives the reader deep insights into aspects of Judaism that are not well known. I highly recommend this book, it opens up a whole new dimension of reality.” Rabbi David A Cooper, author of GOD IS A VERB.

“Chusid…has taught hundreds of people since he discovered…that sharing the sacred horn’s joys and mysteries was his calling… Although he emphasizes that blowing the shofar is a religious practice, not a performance, Chusid has the skill, the control and the soul of an artist.” Los Angeles Times

“Chusid…the Master Blaster has a gentle, authoritative air.” The Jewish Journal

“Chusid…perceives the many dimensions of the shofar like one perceives the many facets of a diamond. This is the most comprehensive work on the shofar I have ever seen and I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever been touched by the sound of the shofar.” Rabbi Stan Levy, President, Academy for Jewish Religion, California

“You have helped make a dream into a historic reality. One of the most memorable moments that brought tears to everyone’s eyes was the trumpeting of the sixty shofarim as the flag was raised. In those seconds the past, present and future were woven together, culminating in the crescendo of the shofarim. It could not have been possible without you.” Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel, commenting on raising of Israeli flag at consulate in Los Angeles

“Thank you for your beautiful work in bringing the call of the shofar out to the world. On this day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, I send you special blessings for your practice. May the whole world be awakened!” Rabbi Shefa Gold, C-DEEP - Center for Devotional, Energy, & Ecstatic Practice

Have Shofar. Will Travel.

Michael is also available to sound shofar for your concerts, recordings, rituals, and special occasions.