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Torah Journey Questions and Answers

 

Our Torah Journey Fundraiser: Questions and Answers


What is a personal scribing experience?
During your 10-minute personal scribing experience, you and/or a family member will join hands with the sofer (scribe) as he scribes a letter in the Torah. In the case of a large family, you will form a chain, with each person touching someone who is touching someone who is touching the sofer’s hand. The sofer will teach you about the significance of the section that you will be helping him to write in the Torah scroll.


When will the personal scribing sessions take place?
The sofer will be with us three times this spring: February 9, March 31, and May 3, 2020. This joyful, holy, and timeless fundraiser has a limited number of scribing spots available. Time slots will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your time slot now.


Who can scribe?
Every Temple Beth Shalom member is eligible to sign up for a scribing opportunity, but there are limited time slots available, so reserve your time slot today.


What if I’m not Jewish?
Every Temple Beth Shalom member is enthusiastically encouraged to scribe – all members – non-Jewish members, women, men, children and teens, and seniors. Singles, couples, and families. Everyone.


How young is too young?
Every member, from our youngest to our oldest, is invited to be present at a scribing session. Generally, children under age four are welcome to be part of your family’s experience, but their little hands aren’t quite grown enough to join the sofer in writing the scroll itself.


Can I pick which letter I scribe?
No. The sofer will randomly assign each family their letter to repair. The sofer will discuss the significance of your letter and ensure that your family feels a personal connection to the scribing experience and holiness of your letter.

What if I don’t write or read Hebrew?
No Hebrew experience is necessary to participate in this amazing experience. The sofer will guide you with his teachings and his hand as you scribe the letter together.


What if I mess up?
Impossible. You can rest assured, the sofer will always be holding the quill with you. There is no risk of messing up the Torah scroll. Quite the opposite. Your participation makes it most sacred.


How should I prepare?
On your scribing day, the sofer will be there to lead you through this holy moment. In advance you may want to consider someone who you would like to honor with this experience – in memory or in celebration. You needn’t share this publicly – just a consideration, if you choose.


What happens on my scribing day?
Each slot for scribing is 10 minutes; however, plan on giving yourselves about 45 minutes to have the full Torah experience. When you arrive, you will have the opportunity to participate in various engaging and fun stations, all centered around the Torah. At your scribing time, you will go to the scribing station, meet the sofer, learn about the significance of your letter within the Torah portion, and write your letter. Following the scribing, you will receive a commemorative certificate and photo.


If all the scribing spots are taken, can I participate in other ways?
You bet! There are several ways to participate and be a part of this Torah Journey, including two fundraising opportunities (the personal scribing, and the educational dinner with the sofer). Take a look at our full schedule of events. Keep in mind that this is a fundraiser, so even if the personal scribing sessions are all taken, you can still make a donation HERE.
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About the Soferim (Scribes)  

Rabbi Yochanan Salazar is a master sofer (scribe), educator, and lecturer. Born in Ecuador, South America, he moved to the U.S. as a teen. Before becoming a scribe, he studied in Hudson College and later attended NJIT where he majored in electronics engineering and public speaking. While in college he met his wife, Hanna, and together they moved to Florida where they now live with their six children.
He received his rabbinic ordination in 2004 from Rabbi Daniel Channen in Beit Shemesh, Israel. In Miami, Rabbi Salazar studied art of Safrut as an apprentice under Rabbi Druin at Sofer on Sit. After years of training he received his ordination as a sofer from Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Hayyim, the Head of Sephardic studies at Yeshiva University in New York. With his expert and gifted talent for precise and accurate Torah repair work, he now heads the Torah Restoration Department of Sofer on Site. He often travels around the country restoring Torahs while educating communities on the proper techniques of Torah care.


 
Rabbi Levi Selwyn was born in London, England, where he attended the local Jewish school. He continued his studies at the Yeshivah Gedolah in Hampstead. At the age of 18, he studied abroad at the Rabbinical College of America in New Jersey.
As part of his rabbinical training, he traveled and worked with communities in France and San Francisco to teach and assist with inspiring educational programs. In 1999, he left for Sydney, Australia, where he attained his rabbinical ordination. In 2000, he became the Chief Rabbi of the Newtown Synagogue in Sydney. Rabbi Selwyn returned to the USA with his wife and daughter to Long Beach, CA, to serve as director of the Hebrew School & Youth Programimng for the Shul by the Shore.
Rabbi Selwyn joined Sofer on Site in 2011 to serve as the educational director of outreach and educational program activities. Rabbi Selwyn is a master teacher and educator and is very passionate about motivating students. Together with his wonderful sense of humor, he is a well-sought-after guest speaker and presenter.

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784