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 29, 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, Toldot, (Genesis 25:19 – 28:9) dealing with the birth of twins, Jacob and Esau, to Isaac and Rebecca. 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.
Meditation class led by Rabbi Magal and Rosalie Malter will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 4:00 pm on zoom.
Torah study will resume on Thursday, Dec. 5, led by Rabbi Magal, on the Torah portion of that week, Vayetze, Genesis 28:10 – 32:3, telling of Jacob’s escape from the anger of his brother, Esau. At a well at the outskirts of Haran in the north, he meets the lovely Rachel. He wishes to marry her, and promises to work for seven years for his uncle Laban. At the wedding, the crafty Laban switches Leah, the older sister, instead of Rachel under the marriage canopy, and Jacob must commit to working yet another seven years so that he can marry Rachel as well. This indebtedness to his father-in-law continues, but finally, after twenty years in Mesopotamia, Jacob decides to leave with his wives, children, and flocks, and return to his home. Now he’ll have to face Esau. The drama continues.
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.
Like to knit? Knitting Without Borders is collecting bears for needy children. Information is available on their website: knittingwithoutborders@jigsy.com.
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
