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Belsize Square welcomes its first megillah to be written by a female scribe

The script was written by Linda Coppleson

March 20, 2024 13:54
Megillat Esther written by Linda Coppleson
An extract of Megillat Esther, written by female soferet (scribe) Linda Coppleson, for use at Belsize Square Synagogue

ByRosa Doherty, Rosa Doherty

1 min read

This Purim, Belsize Square Synagogue in north-west London is unveiling a brand new Megillat Esther, written by a female scribe.

While a number of communities have used Megillat Esther scrolls written by women, the large majority are written by men.

The shul commissioned soferet (female scribe) Linda Coppleson to write the scroll, which, according to Rabbi Gabriel Botnick, is “the first of its kind in a couple ways”.

The megillah has been written with vowels and trop (cantillation symbols). While this is usually forbidden in Jewish Law, there are occasions when it is permissible – for example, when someone is unable to read the megillah without them.