By Rabbi Alicia Magal
The JCSVV offers services and classes which are life-affirming and soul enriching. All are listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. People who cannot attend or who live far away can access the service through zoom.
Erev Shabbat services begin on Friday evening, July 12, 2024, beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. The Rabbi will chant a selection from the Torah portion Chukat, Numbers 19:1 – 22:1, mentioning the deaths of Miriam and Aaron and how the Children of Israel mourned. Included in the service are also 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. This prayer is only one way we honor the memory of people who have impacted our lives and who continue to live on in our own hearts, teachings, and kind deeds. Jewish tradition offers many ways to honor the dead and comfort the mourner.
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, July 17, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal on zoom.
Torah study will be held on Thursday, July 18 at 4:00 pm on zoom, led by Rabbi Magal. The portion for that week, Balak, (Numbers 22:2 – 25:9) tells of Israel’s confrontation with Moab. Balak, the king of Moab was determined to fight, and in preparation for the battle, Balak sent Balaam, a man with the power to curse and bless, to curse the Israelites and somehow weaken them through his words. Despite his intentions to carry out the message of cursing the Children of Israel, Balaam’s words come out as a blessing, “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your dwelling places, O Israel!” This phrase is now included in morning prayers as one enters the synagogue, an example of transforming evil intent to a good outcome.
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 up 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.
