By Rabbi Alicia Magal
The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom.
Erev Shabbat services begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, December 13, 2024, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. As Shabbat enters with the lighting of the candles peace and calm descend, a welcome respite from the troubles and concerns of the week. Rabbi Magal offers a reading from this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4 – 36:43), telling of the return of Jacob to his home in Canaan. On the way back he knows he will have to confront his brother Esau. The night before the morning when they are to meet, Jacob is troubled, wondering whether he is facing a battle or a happy reunion. All alone in the dark of night he wrestles with a mysterious stranger – his conscience? an angel representing his brother Esau? In any case, the divine messenger blesses him when Jacob survives the struggle. He is now given a new spiritual name – Israel – one who has struggled with the divine. The next morning Esau and his company of four hundred men appear, but rather than a battle, Esau rushes toward Jacob and they embrace. Healing blessings give people an opportunity to pray for those who are ill, and Kaddish offers mourners the opportunity to say the Mourners’ Prayer supported by community. We all pray for the return of the hostages and a path to peace.
Meditation class led by Rabbi Magal and Rosalie Malter will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18 on zoom. Focus varies from themes in the current Torah portion, to conscious breathing, to Hebrew phrases, to guided meditations based on Jewish texts.
Torah study will resume on Thursday, Dec. 19 led by Rabbi Magal on the Torah portion of that week, Vayheshev (Genesis 37:1 – 40:23) continuing the story of Jacob and one of his sons, Joseph, whom Jacob favors above his other brothers, who become jealous of him. Joseph has dreams in which he predicts reigning over his brothers, provoking them further. They decide to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. We follow Joseph’s ups and downs in the following Torah portions. This week’s reading also contains the story of Judah and Tamar.
The Social Action Committee is collecting food for the local Sedona food pantry. Please drop off cans or boxes of non-perishable foods in the bin provided for collections located at the bottom of the stairs in the parking lot.
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. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Synagogue website – www.jcsvv.org