Former Daytonian Shel Bassel, a sofer (ritual scribe) who lives in Jerusalem, will lead programs for local Jewish organizations when he returns to the Miami Valley in March. Bassel, who made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 1983, has written more than two dozen Torah scrolls, numerous megillahs, tefillin, and mezuzahs.

When Sofer (Jewish ritual scribe) Rabbi Yochanan Salazar visits Beth Abraham Synagogue to evaluate its Torah scrolls and make necessary repairs for several days, the community will be able to watch him at work during his presentation, The Art of the Jewish Scribe: A Window Into the Sofer’s World, on