When 23-year-old, tallit-clad Asaf Goren blew a shofar in his audition for So You Think You Can Dance last week, no one knew what was happening. Except for Paula Abdul, that is.
“It’s called a shofar,” she informed fellow judges Nigel Lythgoe and Jason DeRulo, drawing on her Jewish roots. “It’s extremely difficult [to play].”
Goren’s undeniable talent quickly cleared up any confusion. A self-proclaimed “Hebrew breaker” from Tel Aviv, his routine opened with shofar blasts and included leaps and twirls with his tallit in tow. Midway through his act, he tossed the tallit aside and dived, nearly parallel to the ground, into a roll. His rapid choreography, combined with his Hebrew flair, earned him a standing ovation from all 3 judges.
“I think everyone in this theater is absolutely shocked at what they’ve just seen there!” exclaimed Lythgoe, still standing.
“You’re a star, man,” Derulo added. “And I believe you’re going to create something that’s special, that can change the world.”
Goren soared on to the next round of the show, returning for callbacks in Las Vegas that air June 29th on Fox, but does he have what it takes to win the title of “America’s Best Dancer?” Shofar, it seems like he’s got a pretty good chance.
Check out the video below:
The New York Jewish Week brings you the stories behind the headlines, keeping you connected to Jewish life in New York. Help sustain the reporting you trust by donating today.
