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 20, 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, 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.
Meditation class will take a break and will not meet on December 25 or January 1, but will resume on Wednesday, January 8 on zoom.
Torah study, led by on Rabbi Magal, will meet on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 4:00 pm on zoom. The Torah portion for that week is Miketz((Genesis 41:1 – 44:17), continuing the story of Joseph. In this part of the saga, he is let out of prison in Egypt to interpret a dream for Pharaoh. He predicts seven years of great harvests followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh puts him in charge of storing food during the good years to prepare for the bad ones to follow. The intense drama heightens when his brothers appear before him without recognizing him in his high position.
Looking ahead: The synagogue Hanukkah celebration will be held on Sunday, December 29, with lighting of the fifth candle, holiday songs, music by the Jerusafunk band, and traditional foods like potato latkes (pancakes), salads, and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts).
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
