About me

I am a Jewish scribe (soferet), and I’ve been writing sacred texts for over two decades. I was one of the first women to complete a full Torah scroll, and I continue to write Torah, mezuzot, tefillin, and megillot.

My background

I’m passionate about the art and precision of Hebrew calligraphy. I also teach and mentor others in the art, helping to preserve and pass on this ancient tradition.

I am also the creator of Tefillin Barbie, a playful and thought-provoking commentary on gender roles in Jewish life.

Bit about MA, PHD etc?

Milestones

2000

I start to learn Hebrew, from A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew.

2004

I write my first Megillat Esther. A real proper qualified sofer and a real live rosh yeshiva approve it for public reading.

2005

I am awarded a research award from the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute to explore the relationship between writing sacred scrolls and menstruation. I also score my first Torah commission.

2006

I start writing my first Torah. Tefillin Barbie makes her appearance.

2007

I finish writing my first Torah. For this, I am named as one of the year’s 50 most remarkable Jews by the Forward. I merit a Wikipedia entry. I start writing my second Torah.

2008

I feature in two calendars – My Very Own Jewish Calendar 5769 and the Women of Reform Judaism calendar 5769. Barbie is used to initiate discussions about gender and ritual garb.

2012

By now, I have started my fourth Torah. One of my students has completed two Torahs of her own, and another student is close to completing her first. I have two apprentices, learning repair and writing. Other students are producing megillot and mezuzot. My women’s tefillin loan system is flourishing under the care of yet another student.