About Michael T. Chusid

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

“Michael presents marvelous teachings and beautiful stories connected with the sweet and mysterious experience of hearing shofar, and offers clear instructions on ways 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. This book 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.  The past, present and future were woven together, culminating in the crescendo of shofar. 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 shofar out to the world. I send you special blessings for your practice. May the whole world be awakened!”  Rabbi Shefa Gold, C-DEEP - Center for Devotional, Energy, and Ecstatic Practice

"I am impressed with the goodness of what you are bringing in skills and knowledge and heart.  You belong with the emerging maggidic chevre."  Rabbi Sarah Etz Alon, Director of Eber-Lat Living Lab and editor of Eruv

"Your skill and zeal for shofar blowing is amazing! It is a delight to unite with a Jewish brother who loves HaShem and desires to be His instrument!" Pastor Lorraine D. Coconato, Leaves of Healing Tabernacle

"I didn’t know that I could learn to blow shofar over the phone. It doesn’t matter that Michael’s in L.A. and I’m in Atlanta. He hears what I am doing and offers suggestions that improve my playing. Without his encouragement, I would never have tried to learn to play, but his humor and expertise keep me going. His generosity with his time is inspirational."  Rabbi Elana Zelony, Congregation Shearith Israel, Atlanta.

"You could tell, just by listening, that the children loved what you taught them." Hazzan Laurie Rimland-Bonn, Congregation Mishkon Tephilo

"Michael's shofar blowing connects heaven and earth, awakens our primal roots, and grounds us in present time through this ancient ritual."  Rina Daly-Goode, Jewish Educator

Author and Rabbi Gershon Winkler calls Michael, "the shofar keeper".

Have Shofar. Will Travel.
Michael is available to sound shofar for your concerts, recordings, rituals, and special occasions.