By Rabbi Alicia Magal
Erev Shabbat services led by Rabbi Alicia Magal will be held on Friday evening, February 23, 2024 beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom. The Torah reading is from Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10), with instructions for lighting the seven-branched Menorah with pure olive oil to be kept burning continually in front of the Holy of Holies in which was the Ark with the Ten Commandments. This portion also describes the garments of the Kohanim – priests – and especially the adorned vestments of the High Priest: blue robe hemmed with golden bells, a tunic, a breastplate inlaid with twelve stones for the twelve tribes of Israel, and a gold plate worn on the forehead over the turban, on which was inscribed “Holy to the Lord.” Rabbi will also offer 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.
Men’s Club will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 for breakfast and a presentation by author Phil Finkelstein about his latest book, Almost Magic.
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, February 28, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal on zoom, focusing on a particular theme in this week’s Torah portion or other uplifting texts.
Torah study will be held on Thursday, February 29, at 4:00 pm on zoom, led by Rabbi Magal. The portion for that week is Ki Tissa (Exodus 30:11- 34:35), with instructions to Moses for taking a census of male Israelites over twenty for defense of all the tribes. In this portion are more details about the Sanctuary. The chief craftsmen are appointed, Bezalel and Oholiab. No work is to be on on the Sabbath. The incident of worshiping the golden Calf leads Moses to smash the first set of tablets containing the Law given on Mt. Sinai. Then he pleads with God to forgive the people and have a renewal of the Covenant. Moses makes a second set of tablets, and the people are warned never again to turn to false gods.
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.
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.
