Temple Emanu-El creates a new megillah

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Temple Emanu-El is announced that a talented soferet — a woman trained as a Jewish ritual scribe — will work with the congregation to create a new Megillat Esther, the scroll of Esther read on Purim.

On the weekend of Nov. 20-22, soferet Julie Seltzer will lead an educational weekend of talks, discussions and interactive sessions focusing on the Jewish scribal arts (called sofrut) and her own journey to becoming a master soferet.

Historically, women have been barred from writing Torah, mezuzah and tefillin scrolls. Whether or not they could write megillot is subject to some debate.

Nevertheless, a generation of female scribes has begun to take its place in the creation of sacred Jewish objects. Seltzer is herself a student of Jen Taylor Friedman, believed to be the first woman to write a complete Torah scroll.

Temple Emanu-El's Rabbi Alex Friedman said, “Our community sits at the intersection of wanting to maintain our traditions around creating our sacred texts and also our steadfast belief that gender is irrelevant to the creation of these objects. We’re so proud to work with Julie Seltzer and other talented artisans like her.”

During the Nov. 20-22 weekend, congregants will be invited to learn more about the process of making a megillah and to watch part of the process up close.

On the evening of Nov. 20 and the next morning, Seltzer will present on how she came to be a soferet, introduce the materials of scribal work and explain the traditions and customs that shape a kosher megillah.

On Sunday morning, Seltzer will lead a session entitled “Flawless Writing: The Torah of Human Mistakes,” speaking about both the practical side of errors when writing a scroll as well as the deeper reasons for keeping human beings in the mix, even when flawless machines exist.

Attendees will also be invited to get a close look into the writing process with Seltzer as she writes the new scroll.

“This is a rare opportunity for folks to see up close how these objects are made,” Rabbi Friedman said. “It’s not as though we commission a new megillah every year.”

The emotional high point will come at Purim, when the new megillah will be used for the first time. As the megillah is opened and the familiar story is chanted, children and adults will hear a text they helped welcome into being — listening closely, joining the celebration, and blotting out Haman’s name with groggers and noise.

The megillah will enter the synagogue’s ritual life carrying not only the ancient story of Esther, but also the story of a Rhode Island community that chose to create, learn and celebrate together.

DAVID GORDON is the vice president for financial development at Temple Emanu-El in Providence.