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 26, 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 Pinchas (Numbers 25:10 – 30:1), including the zealous punishment of Zimri by Pinhas, Aaron’s grandson, leading to a discussion of whether it is right to take the law into one’s own hands. The matter of women’s right to inherit when there are no sons is raised by the daughters of Zelophehad. The decision establishes precedent for Israelite women in the future to inherit their father’s possessions rather than having it go to the nearest male relative. 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 31, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal on zoom.
Torah study will be held on Thursday, August 1 at 4:00 pm on zoom, led by Rabbi Magal. The double portion for that week, Mattot, (Numbers 30:2 – 32:42) and Masei (Numbers 33:1 – 36:13) deal with the last years of the wandering in the desert. there is a review of the 42 encampments that the Children of Israel experienced during the 40 day period until they arrived at the Plains of Moab by the Jordan River just before entering the land promised by God. There is a lesson for each of us about the importance of each stage in our own life journeys.
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.
