Tag Archives: jewish identity

on planning rituals

August 3, 2011 – 22:48

I write Torah scrolls for congregations, and part of my job is working closely with the congregation to make appropriate programming. Such as, for instance, an opening ritual. A good ritual starts by speaking to who the community is, and inspires them with a vision of who they want to be. My job as the […]

By jen | Posted in La vie soferet, liturgy, presenting | Comments (1)

Fun with ketubot – Kells-inspired micrography

July 25, 2011 – 12:05

(Click to see bigger) Bride and groom, When we started this process, you said “I don’t think it could possibly work out, but I just had to give it a try.” You asked for something you thought was impossible, and it turned into something quite lovely. May your marriage have many similar shots at seemingly-impossible […]

By jen | Posted in calligraphy, ketubot | Comments (2)

your student doesn’t finish her first sefer Torah every day

April 7, 2011 – 21:37

My beloved student Julie has been writing a Torah in San Francisco at the Contemporary Jewish Museum for the past year, and once she’d finished writing (yay) it came time to sew it together and have a bit of an Event. So I went out there to help with the sewing and to be part […]

By jen | Posted in feminism, La vie soferet, presenting, safrut, torah | Also tagged , , | Comments (6)

Dog Torah

February 6, 2011 – 21:47

In honour of its being Adar, I give you Dog Torah. I have a puppy. Parts of her are tan-coloured like parchment, and parts of her are black and shiny like Torah ink. She likes to squirm around on the couch. I am a sofer stam. Now read on…

By jen | Posted in La vie soferet, safrut | Also tagged , | Comments (1)

17 Tammuz – a snippet of liturgy

June 29, 2010 – 15:38

(Joint post from me and MarGavriel) I don’t know about you, but when someone says “Selihot,” my heart sinks, because in my experience, selihot are Hebrew Text Walls of Doom, muttered incomprehensibly and far too fast, punctuated by wails of Divine Attributes which are the only bits I actually recognise. Sound familiar? Apparently (who knew?) […]

By jen | Posted in liturgy | Also tagged , | Comments Off on 17 Tammuz – a snippet of liturgy