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 May 16, 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 Torah reading is from Emor (Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23) which deals with the Sabbath, Holy Days and Festivals, and emphasizes equality of treatment under the law for foreigner and Israelites alike. A special mystery “guest” is expected to make an appearance to help celebrate Lag Ba-Omer, a holiday marked by bonfires, weddings, and celebrations on the 33rd days of counting between Passover and Shavuot.
Rabbi Magal will lead a series of 4 classes on zoom, May 13 – June 3, at 3:00 pm, about the prayers of the Erev Shabbat services with emphasis on how to organize a lay-led service. Registration through the office.
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, May 21, at 4:00 pm on zoom, focusing on sacred seasons or texts to add a deeper dimension to our encounter with Jewish traditional teachings. The mitzvah of Counting of the Omer during the 49 days of spiritual preparation leading up to the holiday of Shavuot (this year on Sunday evening, June1) will be observed. Focus will be on each week’s energy on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
Thursday’s Torah class, led by Rabbi Magal on May 22 at 4:00 pm on zoom will offer discussion on the double portion of that week, Behar (Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2) and Behukotai (Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34), the first portion dealing with the balance to be achieved between humans and the earth: “the earth is the Lord’s.” Man is only given the privilege of using it to sustain himself, and should never abuse the land. The calendar of Sabbatical years was established, with the 50th year proclaimed as the Jubilee year when the land would like fallow and be returned to its original owners. Those who had to become slaves would regain their freedom. People could make a fresh beginning, and not be reduced to permanent poverty. In Behukotai, the lessons about choosing ethical laws as a basis for life are emphasized, along with the tradition of generosity in sustaining houses of worship in communities wherever Jews would reside. .
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.