By Rabbi Alicia Magal
Sedona News -Shalom and greetings from the Rabbi, Board of Directors, and congregation of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley.
All the services, classes, and programs are listed on the synagogue website.
Come join us either in person or online. See jcsvv.org for instructions to register for in-person services.
On Friday, April 1, Rabbi Magal will lead a service to welcome in Shabbat with candle lighting, songs, prayers, and a Torah reading from the portion of the week, Tazria ( Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59) dealing with sickness and health, and with what was considered ritually pure or impure. the Kohanim – priestly clan – were responsible for maintaining the health of the people, as the care and treatment of the sick, both physically and spiritually, has always been considered of great importance for the community. The Erev Shabbat service will also include a healing blessing for those who are ill, and a mazal tov to those with a birthday or anniversary. People who passed away recently, or at this time on the Hebrew calendar in years past, will be remembered as Kaddish, the Mourner’s Prayer, is recited. The new month of Nissan will be announced on this Shabbat looking ahead to the first of Nissan which will begin next Friday evening and all day Shabbat (Saturday).
The Adult Jewish Education Committee is offering a two-session course on Jewish rites in preparing for death and burial, and the customs that bring comfort to the mourners. Sunday, April 3, and Tuesday, April 5, at 3:00 pm on zoom.
Wednesday morning minyan begins at 8:30 a.m. on April 6 on zoom. Join the group to offer healing prayers, and to support those saying the mourner’s prayer, Kaddish, for a loved one who has passed away. Every person counts and is needed!
At 4:00 pm Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal lead a class on Jewish meditation on Zoom. Each session focuses on a different tool or aspect of Jewish meditation practices.
On Thursday, April 7, at 4:00 pm, Torah study, led by Rabbi Magal, will be held on Zoom. We will spend a moment briefly reviewing the Torah portion of the week, Metzora (Leviticus 14:1 – 15:32), about the treatment of illnesses that were considered contagious. The commentary offers the idea that a metaphorical “disease” stemming from speaking words of slander can “spread” like a contagious sickness. The return to community after healing is also very important, and is marked by a special ceremony. We will also be concluding our exploration of the prophecies in the Book of Daniel from the Writings section of the Hebrew Bible.
The Social Action Committee is continuing to collect food for the local Sedona food pantry, and summer supplies for the homeless to be donated to Cottonwood Old Town Mission. Please drop of cans or boxes of non-perishable foods, or items like sunscreen, hats, and other hot weather supplies in the bin outside the lower level parking lot entrance to the synagogue.
The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadow Lark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences. Messages to the office telephone at 928 204-1286 will be answered during the week. Updated information is available on the synagogue website – www.jcsvv.org.