By Rabbi Alicia Magal
Sedona, AZ — 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, 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.
Note later First Friday start time: Friday evening services on July 4, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, will begin at 7:00 pm including songs to usher in the Sabbath, prayers of healing for loved ones, and Kaddish, the Mourner’s prayer in memory of those who have passed away recently or around this date in past years. The focus this evening will be on Chukat (Numbers 19:1 – 22:1) telling of the death of Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ sister and brother. Moses receives the answer from God that he would not enter the Promised Land; rather Joshua would be the leader of the next generation. Kiddush and Motzi (blessings over the wine/juice and challah) and socializing follow the service. In addition, an ice cream social will follow the service in honor of the July Fourth holiday.
Morning minyan meets on zoom every Wednesday at 8:30 am with traditional morning blessings, healing prayers, and Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer. Link on the website.
Meditation class, led by Rosalie Malter, will meet on Wednesday, July 9, at 4:00 pm on zoom, focusing on sacred seasons or texts to add a deeper dimension to our encounter with Jewish traditional teachings.
Thursday’s Torah study, led by Anita Rosenfield on July 10 at 4:00 pm on zoom, will focus that week’s Torah portion, Balak (Numbers 22:2 – 25:9) including the humorous story of the talking donkey who has more acute vision than the supposed prophet hired by the Moabite King to curse the Israelites. Balaam, the “man of vision” finally sees the angel stopping him on the donkey and warning him of the folly of his mission. In the end, his curses are transformed to blessings, including the verse “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your sacred dwelling place, O Israel.” This blessing came to be included in the morning prayers worshipers say upon entering the synagogue.
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.
We wish all our members, guests, and neighbors a sense of wholeness and peace, included in the word Shalom.
