By Rabbi Alicia Magal
The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services 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, November 22, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. As Shabbat enters with the lighting of the candles peace and calm descend, a welcome respite from the troubles and concerns of the week. Rabbi Magal offers a reading from this week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18). In this Torah portion, Sara dies at the age of 127. Abraham searches for a place to bury her and settles on the cave which will serve for several of the patriarchs’ and matriarchs’ burial place, called Machpelah (doubles). Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The story unfolds around a well, a theme which reappears several more times in the Torah. Healing blessings give people an opportunity to pray for those who are ill, and Kaddish offers mourners the opportunity to say the Mourners’ Prayer supported by community. We all pray for the return of the hostages and a path to peace.
The Interfaith Thanksgiving service is back after several years’ hiatus. Local clergy representatives of various faith traditions will co-lead a service at the Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Dr, Sedona, on Tuesday, November 26 beginning at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome, and invited to bring non-perishable food in boxes or cans to be donated to the local Food Bank. Following the service there will be refreshments of pumpkin pie and cider, and a chance to socialize.
Meditation class led by Rabbi Magal and Rosalie Malter will be held on Wednesday, November 27, at 4:00 pm on zoom.
No Torah study this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but materials on the Torah portion of the week, Toldot, (Genesis 25:19 – 28:9) dealing with the birth of twins, Jacob and Esau, to Isaac and Rebecca, will be send to the class.
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. In addition to our continuous food drive for the community Food Bank of Sedona, the Social Action Committee collecting diapers (sizes 3. 4 and 5) and adult incontinence supplies in November.
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