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 27, 2024, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. Services will begin with the lighting of the third candle of Hanukkah. Meri Thomason will chant from the Torah portion that was the reading for her Bat Mitzvah celebration in 2009, Miketz (Genesis 41:1 – 44:17), continuing the story of Joseph, who is brought 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. The oneg refreshments are sponsored by Joan Joynson in memory of her father.
The synagogue Hanukkah celebration will take place on Sunday, December 29, beginning at 4:00 pm. Participants are asked to bring a Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) and 6 candles, one for each of the 5 nights of the holiday plus the shamash, helper candle. Traditional potato latkes (pancakes) sufganiot (jelly doughnuts) and other foods will be served. The celebration will include Hanukkah songs and games.
Meditation class will take a break and will not meet on January 1, but will resume on Wednesday, January 8 on zoom.
“Light Up the Night” – Women’s Havurah is holding a celebration for the last night of Hanukkah, Wednesday, January 1, from 4:00 pm. Bring your Hanukkah menorahs and 9 candles, and enjoy a fun Hanukkah mystery “hunt” as well as good food and fun.
Torah study, led by on Rabbi Magal, will meet on Thursday, January 2, at 4:00 pm on zoom. The Torah portion for that week is Vayigash ( (Genesis 44:18 – 47:27), telling of Joseph revealing himself at last to his brothers. He urges them to bring their father Jacob down with all the rest of the family to settle in Goshen, part of Egypt.
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