The unscrolling of a Torah and creation of the McGillis Torah, 2018
by Liz Paige, Director of Ethics & Community
For this year’s Simchat Torah celebration on Thursday, October 20, we have the rare opportunity to host Ron Sieger, a Torah scribe (sofer), along with Rabbi Sam Spector from Congregation Kol Ami.
What is Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah is a joyous celebration of the Torah! It is a holiday when the entire Jewish world celebrates the conclusion of the previous year’s cycle of reading the Torah, and the beginning of a new one.
More About Torah Scribes (sofers)
There are approximately 200 Torah scribes in the world, so having one visit McGillis is very cool. Sofers not only repair Torahs; they also write mezuzah scrolls and Torahs by hand—Torahs take at least a year to write! It typically takes years of training and apprenticeship to become a sofer.
Seeing a Torah being repaired is a true treat (most Jewish people have not seen this in person), and we hope that everyone will appreciate this rare opportunity! We are grateful to the United Jewish Federation of Utah and Congregation Kol Ami for sharing the expense of bringing Ron Sieger to McGillis for this program.
Simchat Torah is Thursday, October 20
Ron will be in town from Las Vegas to repair one of Congregation Kol Ami’s Torahs throughout his day here. Students and teachers will have an assigned time to come to the Gathering Space to learn how a Torah is made and how Ron became a scribe. They will also learn from Rabbi Spector about the holiday of Simchat Torah.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Liz Paige.
Thank you and hag sameach/happy holiday!