Jen Taylor Friedman

Jen Taylor Friedman is a "soferet" (Jewish ritual scribe). On September 9th, 2007, she became the first woman known to have completed a Torah scroll. Taylor Friedman's "sefer Torah" was commissioned by [http://www.unitedhebrew.org United Hebrew Congregation] , a Reform temple in St. Louis, Missouri. [cite web |url=http://www.stljewishlight.com/news/287447651551753.php |title=Torah Alive! is celebrated at United Hebrew |accessdate=2007-07-24 |author=Jill Kassander |date= |year=2006 |month=November |publisher="St. Louis Jewish Light" |quote=Those associated with the project said they are not aware of any other Torah completely written by one woman. ]

Taylor Friedman was born in Southampton, England, and educated at Oxford.cite web |url=http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/articles/2055_women_writing_torah.htm |title=Women writing Torah |accessdate=2007-07-24 |author=Leslie Bunder |date=2006-11-03 |publisher=SomethingJewish ] While studying at Oxford, she became interested in "halakha" (Jewish law) and calligraphy, and by a "chance combination of happy circumstances" she met a "sofer" (a male scribe) who helped her realize that becoming a "soferet" would allow her to pursue both interests.cite web |url=http://www.geniza.net/about/press.shtml |title=FAQ, in detail |accessdate=2007-07-24 |author=Jen Taylor Friedman ] Taylor Friedman continued her scribal studies in Jerusalem and New York City, where she now resides.cite web |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13692 |title=Barbie On The Bima? |accessdate=2007-07-24 |author=Randi Sherman |date=2007-02-23 |publisher="The Jewish Week" ]

Taylor Friedman's first project as a "soferet" was "Megillat Esther", a scroll of the Biblical Book of Esther that is traditionally read in synagogue on the holiday of Purim. She completed the project on Purim 2004 (March 6).cite web |url=http://hatam-soferet.livejournal.com/204746.html |title=a purim story - my first megillah |accessdate=2007-07-24 |author=Jen Taylor Friedman |date=2007-02-27 ] Since that time she has prepared six more "megillot", including one for Congregation "Ansche Chesed", a synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side. [cite web |url=http://www.anschechesed.org/info/bulletins/acb0603.htm |title=Ansche Chesed March 2006 Bulletin |accessdate=2007-07-24 ]

Taylor Friedman is one of five known contemporary "soferot" (female scribes). [cite web |url=http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Sep/20060905News021.asp |title=Female Torah scribes begin work in St. Louis |accessdate=2007-07-24 |author=Associated Press |date=2006-09-05 |publisher="Columbia Daily Tribune" ]

Taylor Friedman is also known for her Tefillin Barbie, which has been featured in a number of prominent Jewish publications.

References

External links

* [http://www.hasoferet.com Taylor Friedman's website]
* [http://hatam-soferet.livejournal.com/ Taylor Friedman's blog]