Friday evening services on July 25, lay-led by Sheldon Hersh, will begin at 5:30 pm including songs to usher in the Sabbath, prayers of healing for loved ones, and Kaddish, the Mourner’s prayer in memory of those who have passed away recently or around this date in past years. The focus this evening will be on Torah portions Mattot-Masei (Numbers 30:2 – 32:42, and Numbers 33:1 – 36:13), bringing the Israelite tribes near the end of their wandering up to the east of the Jordan. There is a summary of all the 42 encampments they had made during the 40 years of their wandering since the Exodus from Egypt. Each name of each stopping place has a deeper meaning relating to the challenge or lesson of each place. Metaphorically it also refers to the many stops each of us makes in our own life journey. Kiddush and Motzi (blessings over the wine/juice and challah) and socializing follow the service.
Morning minyan meets on zoom every Wednesday at 8:30 am with traditional morning blessings, healing prayers, and Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer. Link on the website.
Meditation class, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal, will meet on Wednesday, July 30, at 4:00 pm on zoom, focusing on sacred seasons or texts to add a deeper dimension to our encounter with Jewish traditional teachings.
Thursday’s Torah study, led by Rabbi Magal on July 31, beginning the Book of Deuteronomy, will meet at 4:00 pm on zoom. Discussion will focus on that week’s Torah portion, Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22) which consists of Moses’ farewells to Israel delivered to the people at the end of his years of leadership. He recalls the difficulties he had in governing the people and how he had set up a system of government and courts. He reminds the younger generation of all their parents had undergone since leaving slavery in Egypt and receiving the gift of Torah at Mt. Sinai. He wanted them to feel as though they themselves had encountered the Divine Presence and appreciated the challenges and battles they had endured in order to reach the Promised Land.
The Social Action Committee is collecting non-perishable foods, as well as infant formula and feminine hygiene products, for the local Sedona food pantry. Please drop off your donations in the bin provided for collections located at the bottom of the stairs in the parking lot.
We wish all our members, guests, and neighbors a sense of wholeness and peace, included in the word Shalom.