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. Visitors are welcome to attend services.
On Friday, August 19, a Friday evening Erev Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, begins at 5:30 pm both in person and on Zoom, and livestreamed for members and their invitees. Congregants participate by lighting candles, doing a reading, or having an Aliyah for the Torah service. Verses from the Torah portion will be chanted: Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17), continuing the second of Moses’ three farewell addresses to Israel, outlining the blessings and curses that would follow if the people would follow or would turn away from the commandments. He urges them to make the right choice and observe the Laws of Holiness.
Blessings for those who are ill and a Mazal Tov for those celebrating a birthday or anniversary will be offered at the Kabbalat Shabbat service. Kaddish, the Mourner’s prayer, will be recited in memory of those who passed away either recently or at this time in past years. Shabbat offers a time out from work and worry, an opportunity to be grateful for our lives and the bounty with which we are blessed.
Wednesday morning minyan begins at 8:30 a.m. on August 31 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!
On Wednesday at 4:00 pm Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal will lead a class on Jewish meditation on Zoom. Each session focuses on a different tool or aspect of Jewish meditation practices.
On Thursday, September 1, at 4:00 pm, Torah study, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, will be held on Zoom. The Torah reading for that week is Re’eh, Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17, a continuation of Moses’ second farewell address to Israel. Moses tells the people that they have to make the choice between obedience and disobedience to God’s commandments. Obedience would bring blessing; disobedience would bring a curse. The future of Israel depends upon making the right choice; they are free to do right or wrong. the rules of the Sabbatical Year are reviewed when the poor would have the opportunity to rise from poverty by wiping out their debts. It is emphasized that the poor must never be ignored or forgotten. In addition, Israel must give tithes of their crops to help support the Kohanim (priests), the Levites, and the poor.
The Social Action Committee is continuing to collect food for the local Sedona food pantry. Please drop of cans or boxes of non-perishable foods in the bin outside the lower level parking lot entrance to the synagogue.
High Holy Day information is listed on the synagogue website, www.jcsvv.org. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year 5783, will begin on the evening of Sunday, September 25, continuing on Wednesday, September 26; and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will begin on Tuesday evening, October 4 and continue on Wednesday, October 5.
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.