By Rabbi Alicia Magal
The JCSVV offers services and classes which are life-affirming and soul enriching. All are listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after security check. People who cannot attend or who live far away can access the service through zoom. Several classes, holidays, and special events are coming up in April. Check the website and plan to join us!
Erev Shabbat services begin on Friday evening, April 26 beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. Rabbi Magal will chant from the portion for that week which repeats the story of the Exodus, since this is during the week of Passover. Included in the service are also healing blessings for those who are ill, a mazal tov for Simchas (happy occasions), and Kaddish, mourner’s prayer, recited for loved ones who have passed away. Everyone is invited to stay after services for refreshments and socializing.
Yizkor, the memorial service for all those who have passed away, will be held in the sanctuary at the conclusion of Passover, on Tuesday, April 30, at 6:00 pm. This is one of the four times a year that all our loved ones who have passed away are remembered besides the actual anniversary date of each person’s death.
On Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. we offer a morning minyan on Zoom, with traditional prayers sung or read in Hebrew and English. Join through the website link to support each other needing a minyan to say Kaddish for a loved one.
Meditation class will meet on Wednesday, May 1, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal on zoom, focusing on the spiritual practice of counting the Omer, the 49 days’ journey between Passover and Shavuot, as we recall the Israelites’ journey from the Exodus to Mt. Sinai where they received the Ten Commandments. In our day, we take this journey as a spiritual practice of preparation and refinement of our personality traits.
Torah study will be held on Thursday, May 2, at 4:00 pm on zoom, led by Rabbi Magal. The portion for that week is Acharei Mot, Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30, telling of the High Priest’s preparation for Yom Kippur when he would plea for forgiveness for himself, his Levitical tribe, and then for all the Israelites. We will count the Omer, a 7 week (49 day) practice of preparation for the 50 day, Shavuot, the Festival celebrating receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and also the early spring harvest in ancient Israel.
The Social Action Committee is continuing to collect food for the local Sedona food pantry. Please drop off cans or boxes of non-perishable foods in the bin provided for collections at the bottom of the stairs leading to the synagogue sanctuary. We encourage people to donate generously. Hats, visors, bug spray, sleeping bags and tents, filled plastic bottles of water, sunscreen lotion, visors, and other items for the Summer Survival kits are being collected through April.
Please join us on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at the JCSVV from 4 – 7 pm to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the JCSVV synagogue building. We will honor our Founders and commemorate the events, services, and programs that have shaped our Jewish community over the years. Our elegant Gala will feature a fabulous catered meal, music, a silent auction, and appearance by special guest Robert Shields. RSVP and get tickets, $125 per person, at http://www.jcsvv.org/jcsvv-
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.
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