Julie Seltzer

As one of the first women known to write a torah scroll, Torah Scribe Julie Seltzer offers audiences unique glimpse into the world of sacred writing.

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About

Julie Seltzer, Torah Scribe, got a B- in handwriting. She has since made up for it by becoming one of the first women in history known to write a torah scroll. Through an engaging and intimate encounter with scrolls and how they are made, Julie offers audiences a unique glimpse into the world of sacred writing.

Programs

Inside the Scribe’s Studio: How Torah Scrolls are Made

What is sacred writing, and what goes into the making of a Torah scroll? Learn about the process of sacred writing, including the material elements such as ink, parchment, writing instruments, and letter formation, as well as the more spiritual elements, such as kavana - intention. Participants will have the opportunity to look inside a Torah scroll and experience it from a whole new perspective.

What’s the Point? Crowns, Dots, and Other Scribal Intrigues

If you look inside a Torah scroll, you may notice certain oddities: a word with a series of dots above, as if droplets of ink have spilled; a giant or miniature letter in the middle of an otherwise unremarkable word; backwards letters. We will learn some interpretations of these unusual scribal traditions, then find them in the scroll, adding another layer to our understanding of the text.

The Font of Revelation: Evolution of Hebrew Scripts

Torah script, called Ashurit, did not exist at the time tradition places the revelation of Torah at Sinai. The earliest Hebrew scripts are actually unrecognizable to Hebrew readers today. This class explores the development of Hebrew scripts, from pictograph to alphabet, as well as how the rabbis of the Talmud dealt with the historical conundrum of the holy script.

Torah Triage: Introduction to Maintenance and Repair

A letter is smudged. There is a hole in the parchment. Someone spilled coffee on Leviticus. Two sheets are held together with masking tape. This workshop addresses basic Torah maintenance, as well as what makes a Torah pasul (unfit for ritual use). In the more in-depth version of this workshop, participants will learn some basic principles of sacred writing, and how basic repairs are made.

Flawless Writing: The Torah of Human Mistakes

Sacred writing is referred to in the tradition as “flawless.” But how do we reconcile this with the fact that humans err? This class will address mistakes on the practical and philosophical levels. What types of mistakes are commonly made, and how they are fixed? And why do we maintain the tradition of writing scrolls by hand when we could print them or have a robot write them?

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Endorsements

“We had an amazing experience with Soferet Julie Seltzer, both in the work she did on our two Torah scrolls and the weekend she spent with us teaching and completing the scribing of our scrolls. She has a great depth of knowledge, a wonderful teaching style and is a talented soferet. Julie was AMAZING.”
— Rabbi Debbi Bravo, Rabbi, Makom, Bethpage, NY

“Julie is an amazing teacher. She engaged the entire community. The younger children loved getting up close with the Torah. The adults were fascinated by her presentation and there was ample time for discussion and questions. I would highly recommend Julie’s sessions; she is one of the best teachers we have had.”
— Rabbi Erica Asch, President, Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), Temple Beth El, Augusta, Maine

“Julie Seltzer is not only a superb scribe, but also an inspired educator. She is committed to sharing her art with lay people, empowering them to care for their Torah scrolls by teaching them how to make their own repairs. Watch her videos; you’ll encounter a great communicator who exudes warmth and passion for her work and for Jewish education!”
— Cantor Dr. Brian Mayer, Cantor, Temple Emanu-El, Providence, RI

“Julie came to our synagogue and captivated our children and our adults with her tour of the torah. She answered questions deftly and eloquently, with knowledge and passion, delighting students of all ages. People kept talking about the presentation for weeks.”
— Rabbi Diana Miller, Rabbi, Kehilat Hanahar, Newhope, PA

Contact Julie

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Articles

J. The Jewish News of Northern California 6 March, 2023:

Why My Synagogue Commissioned A Groundbreaking New Megillah

Washington Jewish Week 3 February, 2022:

Female Scribes Unlock the Power of the Word

WAMC - Northeast Public Radio 31 December, 2021:

Women Religious Leaders

The New York Times 8 November, 2009:

A Torah Scribe Pushes the Parchment Ceiling

Interested in booking Julie Seltzer to speak at your next event? Contact Jewish Speakers Bureau (infREMOVEo@jewREMOVEishspeakerREMOVEsbureau.com), America's only speakers bureau for Jewish-interest speakers, authors, entertainers, and experts.