Downing Street in London calling on lawmakers to support a "No Deal" Brexit, on Sept. 2, 2019. (Photo/JTA-Chris J Ratcliffe-Getty Images) News World British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries (and fails) to blow the ‘holy shofar’ Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By JTA | September 16, 2019 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempted, and failed, to blow a shofar while on a visit to northern England. During a visit on Friday to meet voters in Doncaster, Yorkshire, the newly minted prime minister was approached by a woman who invited him to “blow the holy shofar.” She explained that the instrument, which she said is “like a trumpet,” is from Israel. Johnson expressed concern about whether he is allowed to blow the holy instrument, used by Jews on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and during the month leading up to the High Holidays, and the woman responded that “God has authorized you.” The exchange was posted in a video online by Britain’s Channel 5 News. A strange moment for Boris Johnson in #Doncaster as he was asked to blow a holy Shofar horn. His adviser was not keen but the PM gave it a good go anyway, only to be let down by his technique. pic.twitter.com/6jywCGQicQ — Channel 5 News (@5_News) September 13, 2019 Johnson was not able to get a sound out of the instrument, but managed to utter the age-old pun “Shofar so good,” before handing it back to the woman. Johnson previously tried to blow the shofar in 2011, when the mayor of London, during a ground-breaking ceremony for London’s new Jewish Community Center building in Finchley, North London, which took place the day before Yom Kippur. He managed to get a sound out of it that time, after a short tutorial by then-chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. U.S. Shofar sounds out a warning, a call for introspection Calendar A holiday how-to for non-Jews Columns Even at the new year, there is time for humor Free High Holy Day services around the Bay Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up