By Rabbi Alicia Magal
Sedona, Az — 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.
Friday evening services on June 20, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, 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 Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1 – 15:41) telling of the twelve scouts Moses sends to report on their findings in the land of Canaan. Of the ten, only Caleb and Joshua insist that the land can be conquered, while the rest are afraid. The result will be another 38 years of wandering and preparation before the Israelites will be able to enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua.
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, June 25, 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 June 26 at 4:00 pm on zoom, will focus that week’s Torah portion, Korach, Numbers 16:1 – 18:32, telling of a challenge to Moses’ leadership by a cousin named Korach who was jealous and wished for more personal power. He brought 250 men from the tribe of Reuven who also felt they deserved more honor and power. Their rebellion did not succeed because it was not “for the sake of heaven” – that is, truly for honorable reasons and for the good of the people – but rather for ego and personal power. The earth swallowed them up, and Moses and the Levites continued in their leadership roles.
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.
