Say Hi to Our Community Ambassador: Julie Seltzer
Please give a big round of bzzz to our Beacon community ambassador Julie Seltzer, a Hebrew scribe, educator, and storyteller who loves “that I’m doing something analog in a digital world.”
I’m a(n)…
Hebrew calligrapher, educator, storyteller, runner, doggie mama, and a half century old.
I’m passionate about…
staying curious.
Briefly describe your work.
I work as a Hebrew scribe, which means that I am trained to write and repair torah scrolls and other Jewish texts. Torah scrolls are written by hand, with quill and ink on parchment (for real!). I also teach the craft, and present on various aspects of my work at synagogues, universities, and cultural institutions locally and nationally.
This year, I also started an MA at Middlebury College in Teaching Foreign Language.
What do you love about what you do?
I love that I’m doing something analog in a digital world. Not that digital is bad — but I like that while it’s a traditional art, it’s in some ways quite countercultural: who would waste their time on such a thing? Me, apparently.
I also love how people connect emotionally to the scroll, whether it holds significance for them historically, personally, religiously, or culturally. I help them access that connection, and that feels good.
How did you start (your work)?
The idea to learn scribal arts just popped into my head one day, seemingly out of nowhere. I had never even held a calligraphy pen. But I committed to learning, found teachers, and practiced and practiced (a lot).
It’s fairly new for women to pursue this craft, since it’s not really accepted in the Orthodox world, but the flip side to that is that communities who are egalitarian and/or want to push boundaries, have been eager to engage the services of a woman.
Where do you see your work going in the next year… five?
This year, I will be starting a training program for folks that are serious learners. I could see this growing, providing an opportunity to women and non-binary folks in the Jewish community that would not be available to them otherwise. Also, I would like to give a TEDx talk one day!
What do you like best about Beahive?
I love how Beahive builds community through such a wide range of community events. It’s great because even those who aren’t (yet) members can connect with each other and expand their horizons.
What’s your favorite thing about the local community?
I’m consistently amazed at how people have their hands in so many different organizations and activities — Beacon has a remarkably active community that pulses with energy. Lots of cross-pollination. And I have found that in general, people are eager to help out and give of themselves.
