In February, 2014, the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies began restoring its 200-year-old Torah scroll. A Torah is a parchment scroll containing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Genesis-Deuteronomy, which are handwritten using a quill and specially prepared ink.
Our scroll, which was gifted to Judaic Studies by an anonymous donor, was acquired in 2009 by Professor Beth Alpert Nakhai. It is thought to be 200 years old, originally used by a Sephardic Jewish community in northern Europe, perhaps Amsterdam. It survived World War II, travelled to Israel then to Tucson as the first and only Torah owned by The University of Arizona.
Restoration Process
Periodically the Center has had a traveling sofer repair the scroll. The last visit was in 2015 by Rabbi Druin. The restoration process was witnessed by students, faculty, staff and community members.
Rabbi Druin spent the day working on the Torah at the UA Hillel Foundation (corner of Mountain Ave. and Second St.). He periodically explained to those present his background, his craft, and his tools. He also gave us all valuable insight into the age and origins of this fascinating document.
- Arizona Daily Star - Rabbi to restore UA's 200-year-old Torah (Frontpage)
- Arizona Public Media - University of Arizona's 200-Year-Old Torah Repaired
- The Daily Wildcat - Hillel hosts Torah restoration (Frontpage)
- Arizona Jewish Post - Scribe to restore US Judaic Studies Center's Torah scroll
- UANews - Judaic Studies Torah Is Being Restored
- Arizona Jewish Life - Torah Restoration at UofA
- KVOA News 4 - UA Judaic Studies begin restoration of 200-year-old Torah
- KJZZ Pheonix - US's 200-Year-Old Torah to be restored.
- Arizona Jewish Post - In Focus 2.20.15
- Read more about our Torah Scroll in UANews.