First Torah Project Letter Writing Day, February 24
How exciting it was to actually ink the letters ourselves directly on the scroll! - Jack Greenberg
On February 24, nearly 50 CBSTers from ages 4 to 80 stopped by Bethune Street to write a letter with their own hands in CBST's new Torah.
Shelli Aderman, who was joined by her daughter Malka in writing a letter in the Torah, put the event into perspective. "Imagine being able to participate in writing in one of the most Holy items involved in a worship service! It's not every day that a Torah is written, let alone commissioned for a Shul, so this is a HUGE event, and we are SO honored!"
Soferet Jen Taylor Friedman led individual sessions during which each person was able to write a letter derectly on the scroll. Soferet Friedman is post-denominational halakhically-observant egalitarian Jewish ritual scribe and scholar. She is notable for being the first woman in modern times known to have written a sefer Torah. In 2007, the Forward listed her as a Top 50 Jew. She lives in NYC, is working on her third Torah, and teaches aspiring scribes.
Ellen Wertheim led members in embroidering stitches in the gartle (sash) that will be used to tie the Torah.
Jack Nieman graciously photographed the whole event. Check out the slide show below.
The next Torah Project event is a program on the evening of March 21, with Soferet Friedman on how a woman becomes a scribe in a man’s world. She will share her extraordinary journey that led her to become the first woman in modern times to write an entire Torah scroll.
There are no more time slots available for the March 21 letter writing day. There are still limited spots available for letter writing days on April 14 and 15. Please contact torahproject@cbst.org for more information.
