By Rabbi Alecia Magal
The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark 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. The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, concerts, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom.
All are invited to Erev Shabbat service on Friday, April 17 at 5:30 pm. Join in singing songs to usher in the Sabbath, prayers of healing for loved ones, congratulations for those celebrating a birthday or anniversary, and Kaddish, the Mourner’s prayer in memory of those who have passed away recently or around this date in past years. The Shalom Singers choir will add songs related to Holocaust Remembrance Day which was observed during the week. Six candles will be lit at the beginning of the service in memory of the Six Million Jews killed during the Holocaust. The Torah portion is Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59) and Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) both dealing with diagnosis and purification after skin diseases and other conditions. All are invited to stay for Oneg refreshments sponsored by and Rabbi Magal and Sheila Jackman in honor of Itzhak Magal’s and Sheila’s birthdays.
On Sunday, April 19th at 3:00 pm the Red Rocks Music Festival will host a special concert at the synagogue in commemoration of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Music can act as a emotional release and can express loss, memory, courage, and healing where words fail. Featured performers include Christopher Creviston (saxophone), Hannah Creviston (piano), and soprano Amanda DeMaris. Violinist Moshe Bukshpan will also perform. The concert will feature selections composed during and inspired by Holocaust, including works by Leo Smith, Erwin Schulhoff, Ellwood Der, Stacy Garrop, and John Williams. Tickets can be acquired on the website jcsvv.org.
Egalitarian, participatory Morning Minyan meets on zoom every Wednesday at 8:30 am with traditional morning blessings, healing prayers, and Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer. Come be counted in our minyan! Link on the website.
Meditation class, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal, will meet on Wednesday, April 22 at 4:00 pm on zoom. The focus will be on the counting of the Omer, a practice which continues from Passover to Shavuot, a seven-week spiritual journey of preparation that begins with the Exodus and culminates at Mt. Sinai with the giving of the Torah.
Torah study group, led by Rabbi Magal, will meet on Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 pm on zoom. The double portions read this week are Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, Leviticus 16:1-20:27, describing ethical and ritual laws aimed at helping people live lives of holiness.
The Shalom Singers choir will enhance the service on Friday, April 24 with special songs dedicated to Israeli Independence Day. Look for more information in next week’s column.
The Social Action Committee is collecting non-perishable foods, as well as infant formula and feminine hygiene products, for the local Sedona food pantry. Please drop off your donations in the bin provided for collections located at the bottom of the stairs in the parking lot. People continue to need sustenance. Let’s keep them in mind.
We wish all our members, guests, and neighbors a sense of wholeness and peace, included in the word Shalom.
Rabbi Alicia Magal
Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, Arizona, USA
www.jcsvv.org
Office: 928 204-1286
“A Jewel of a Shul”
Mission Statement:
The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley 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. We choose to remain unaffiliated in order to respect and serve the rich diversity of our members and visitors.