By Rabbi Alicia Magal
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, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services.
On Friday, January 13, 2023, a special Friday evening Erev Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, begins at 5:30 pm both in person and on Zoom, and live-streamed for members and their invitees. This is Social Action Shabbat when over 40 representatives from local non-profit organizations of the wider caring community are honored. Members of the Social Action Committee will participate in the service with readings. Verses will be chanted from the Torah portion, Shemot (Exodus 1:1 – 6:1) telling of the birth of Moses in Egypt, his early years growing up in Pharaoh’s palace, his years as a shepherd in Midian, and the amazing encounter with the Holy One calling him from a burning bush to become a leader to free his people from bondage. 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. There will a chance after the service to enjoy refreshments and to speak with the guests and hear more about their organizations dedicated to helping the homeless, offering food, caring for the environment, offering transportation to elders, giving sanctuary and safety to women and children, and many more services to our community.
Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. members participate in a morning minyan on Zoom, led by Rabbi Magal, 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, led by Rabbi Magal and Rosalie Malter, will meet on Wednesday, January 18, at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom.
On Thursday, January 19, Torah study, led by Rabbi Magal, will focus on the Torah portion of that week: Vaera (Exodus 6:2 – 9:35), telling of the encounters between Moses and Pharaoh in which Moses and his brother Aaron approach Pharaoh to free the Israelites. With Pharaoh’s rejection, a series of plagues will beset Egypt. That narrative will continue in the coming weeks.
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.
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.