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. High Holy Days are coming! Consider reserving your place to bring in the Jewish New Year with community. See the website for schedule. This is the month of Elul when we prepare for the High Holy Days by offering forgiveness and looking into our actions toward others. It is a time of deep self-reflection.
Erev Shabbat services begin on Friday evening, September 13, 2024, beginning at 5:30 pm in person and on Zoom led by Rabbi Alicia Magal who will chant verses from Ki Tetze (Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19), continuing the closing address by Moses to the Children of Israel, outlining many ethical rules to be followed once the people enter the Land of Israel. This covers kindness to conquered people, parents’ responsibility to educate their children, returning lost property, preventing accidents by property owners, being kind to animals, and more. 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. All are invited to stay for Kiddush, Motzi (blessings over the wine and challah) and refreshments.
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, September 18, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal on zoom.
Torah study will be held on Thursday, September 19, at 4:00 pm on zoom, led by Rabbi Magal. The Torah portion to be discussed is Ki Tavo Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8. (“When You Come”) which opens by describing the ceremony of the first fruit offering (bikkurim) and the declaration made upon the completion of tithing. It fosters gratitude for the bounty we receive rather than our feeling we accomplished everything alone.
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 Social Action Committee is also collecting clothing for men, women and children (new or gently used items – no used underwear), personal care items, travel food in individual packets such as Vienna sausage, bars and trail mix and fruit or juice packs for the family refugee centers in Phoenix. Please bring your items bagged and place them in the donation bin at the bottom of the stairs in the lower parking lot.
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. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Synagogue website – www.jcsvv.org