QUESTION

Can a ba’al tokea (shofar blower) blow shofar for a children’s activity before the official blowing for the congregation? If so, should he recite a berachah? Does it matter if there are parents or teachers in the room who would also be hearing the shofar?

ANSWER

Yes, he may blow shofar for the children’s activity. If he is blowing kosher tekiot, then he and the others present are yotzei (fulfill their obligation), and he should certainly make the berachah. Even if he is not doing a full set of kosher tekiot, he can still make the berachah
because of chinukh – the mitzvah of educating children. (See Chayei Adam 140:7, Pri Megadim Eshel Avraham 589:4, Nitei Gavriel, Rosh Hashana 55 ft. 29).