By Rabbi Alicia Magal
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.
The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom.
All are invited to Erev Shabbat service on Friday, March 6 at 7:00 pm, the later start time on the first Friday of the month. Join in singing songs to usher in the Sabbath, prayers of healing for loved ones, congratulations for those celebrating a birthday or anniversary, and Kaddish, the Mourner’s prayer in memory of those who have passed away recently or around this date in past years. The Torah portion is Ki Tissa (Exodus 30:11 – 34:35, including the scene of fear that overtook some of the Israelites when Moses didn’t reappear after 40 days on Mt. Sinai. They forced Aaron to make them a Golden Calf. Upon his return with the tablets of the Law, Moses saw the celebration and in anger, smashed the tablets and ground the calf idol to bits. Moses finally gets over his anger and pleads with God to forgive the people. He climbs up Mt. Sinai and receives a second set of tablets. Kiddush and Motzi (blessings over the wine/juice and challah) and socializing follow the service.
The Purim spiel, a spoof of the traditional Purim story about Queen Esther, acted out by congregants and directed by Lisa Glinsky, will be held on Sunday, March 8, at 1:00 pm. Wear costumes or a funny hat. Noisemakers will be provided. Afterwards, enjoy hamantaschen, three-sides filled pastries, traditional for this holiday.
Meditation class, led by Rosalie Malter and Rabbi Magal, will meet on Wednesday, March 11 on zoom. Focus includes sacred text, holiday themes, and other gateways to meditation.
Torah study group, led by Rabbi Magal, will meet on Thursday, March 12 at 4:00 pm on zoom. The double Torah portions are Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1 -38:20) and Pikudei (Exodus 38:21 – 40:38), both dealing with the final steps in building Israe’s first House of Worship in the desert, the Mishkan or Tabernacle. On the first anniversary of their Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites celebrated the dedication of this House of Worship in service to God. The Book of Exodus comes to an end.
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, and a feeling of joy during this month of Adar and the holiday of Purim.
Rabbi Alicia Magal
Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, Arizona, USA
www.jcsvv.org
Office: 928 204-1286
“A Jewel of a Shul”
Mission Statement:
The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley 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. We choose to remain unaffiliated in order to respect and serve the rich diversity of our members and visitors.