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Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley

Mail to: PO Box 13, Sedona, AZ 86339-0013

Location: 100 Meadow Lark Drive, Sedona AZ 86336

928-204-1286 - office@jcsvv.org

Shabbat Services: Friday evenings - 7:30 pm Led by Rabbi Alicia Magal. Everyone is welcome!

Torah Study: Saturday mornings - 11 am Led by Rabbi Alicia Magal.

View Full JCSVV Calendar

Rabbi Alicia Magal and Hubbetzin Itzhak Magal

We invite you to join us as we ...

Celebrate Shabbat, holidays, and life cycle milestones.
Explore the teachings and relevance of the Torah.
Embrace Jewish culture and the arts.
Offer assistance in time of need.
Create social gatherings for members.
Interact with the wider local community.
Provide continuity for future generations of the Jewish people.

Meet Rabbi Alicia Magal ...

Rabbi Alicia Magal has served as the spiritual leader of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley since 2006. Rabbi Magal brings a depth of experience in Judaic studies, the arts, and education to her position. (See complete Curriculum Vitae.) Rabbi Magal received rabbinical ordination in 2003 from the Aleph Jewish Renewal Rabbinical Program, as well as from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, CA.

Learn More about Rabbi Magal

RABBI MAGAL’S DRASHOT - HIGH HOLY DAYS 5779 - 2018

Rabbi Magal's Drashot - High Holy Days 5779 - 2018

COMING UP THIS WEEK

March 22-28, 2019 and March 29-April 4, 2019

SHOW-BIZ purim SPEIL - Musical play based on scroll of esther

presented at jcsvv

Shalom to all from the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley.

Erev Shabbat services begin on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 pm, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal including candle lighting, a special Torah reading, a blessing for healing, and Kaddish, the Mourner's prayer. This is Simcha Shabbat, when anyone with a birthday, anniversary, or other simcha (happy occasion) receives a special blessing. Oneg flowers and refreshments are sponsored by Meri Thomason in memory of her niece Maia, and by Barb Bank and Phil Finkelstein, saying farewell before they leave Sedona for the season. In the spirit of the Purim holiday, the musical accompaniment will be by our ukulele band - Laura Fellows and Phyllis Elliott.

Please join us for Torah Study, Saturdays at 11:00 am

Saturday morning, March 23, Torah study begins at 11 a.m. with reading and discussion on the portion of the week, Tzav, Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36, telling of the laws about sacrifices brought on the Altar of the Sanctuary during the years of wandering in the wilderness. Discussion will include the Haftarah reading from the prophet Jeremiah (7:21 - 8:3; 9:22,23), whose prophetic message in the Kingdom of Judah in the 7th Century BCE, was to emphasize the real purpose of sacrifices brought to the Temple in Jerusalem. The real purpose of Judaism is to live with justice and kindness, and should be fulfilled in everyday life. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share at the pot luck luncheon following the study session.

On Sunday, March 24 at 10:30, a Purim spiel, or play, will be presented by a cast of JCSVV members, in a "Show-Biz Purim," including many familiar show tunes, with the lyrics slightly re-written to fit this adapted story of Purim. All in the community are invited. It is encouraged to wear funny hats or costumes to get into the Purim spirit of fun as everyone sings along. One's inner child is encouraged to emerge, so costumes, masks, funny hats, and a sense of merriment are all part of the Purim spirit. At around noon, a brunch, including traditional hamentaschen (3-cornered filled pastries) and many other delicious foods, will be served. You do not have to stay for the brunch (fee $25), but can come only for the spiel if desired. No ticket or payment needed for the spiel.

March 29-April 4, 2019

passover workshop offered at jcsvv

Shalom to all from the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley

Erev Shabbat services begin on Friday, March 29 at 7:30 pm, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal including candle lighting, a special Torah reading, a blessing for healing, and Kaddish, the Mourner's prayer. The Oneg is sponsored by Debra and Martin Darvick in honor of their birthdays and their anniversary.

Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. all are invited to the morning minyan with a beautiful view of the red rocks from the sanctuary. This interactive morning service includes time for questions and comments on the prayers and on the Torah portion of the current week. Visitors are most welcome, and actually needed to enable us to have a full minyan (prayer quorum of 10) for mourners to say Kaddish. This is an opportunity to begin the day with prayer in a supportive community.

TORAH study at jcsvv

Saturday morning, March 30, Torah study begins at 11 a.m. with reading and discussion on the portion of the week, Shemini (Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47), regarding the sacrifices brought on behalf of the Kohanim, the priestly clan of Levites. The dramatic tale of the High Priest Aaron's sons who die suddenly when they fail to offer their sacrifices in the correct way. The Haftarah prophetic reading is from 2 Samurel 6:1 - 7:17, telling of King David making Jerusalem the capital of Israel in around 1000 BCE, and bringing the Ark up to Jerusalem. King David rejoices and dances in the procession as the Ark is brought into the city. Discussion will center around the holiness of objects and the special respect and ceremony surrounding their use. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share at the pot luck luncheon following the study session.

On Thursday, April 4 at 2 p.m. Rabbi Magal will offer a Passover workshop for those leading or attending a Passover Seder, and wishing to learn more about the symbolic foods, basic blessings/songs/prayers woven throughout the ceremonial meal, and how to navigate the Haggadah, or "Telling" of the Exodus story, using any of the various types of illustrated booklets available with all the stories, directions, songs, and blessings. The whole point of the Seder meal of Passover is to retell and relive the Exodus from Egypt, moving from slavery to freedom. Suggestions and discussion will include how to adapt the Seder to one's particular family and guests, so it is understandable and joyous for any age group or background.

Reservations for the First Night Seder at the synagogue on Friday evening, April 19, can be made through the website www.JCSVV.org or by calling the office during the week - 928 204-1286. Cut off for reservations will be April 12.

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. The congregation is unaffiliated with any particular stream of Judaism in order to respect and serve the wide diversity of its members and visitors. Rabbi Magal is available to speak with anyone on spiritual matters. For more information call the office at 928 204-1286 or check the website: www.jcsvv.org.

Rabbi Alicia Magal

Just a glimpse of the numerous celebrations and activities at the JCSVV ...