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June 30, 2000/27 Sivan 5760, Vol. 52, No.43
Land purchased for Sedona synagogue
LEISAH NAMM
Staff Writer
Plans are underway to build a synagogue in Sedona.
The Jewish Community of Sedona has purchased two acres from a Lutheran church at Highway 179 and Meadowlark, in an area dubbed by local clergy as "Holy Row."
The synagogue will be the fifth house of worship in the vicinity.
The goal is to have the building ready by 2002, said Sheila Jackman, membership vice president for the synagogue group. It depends on when funds are raised, she said.
The facility will be "something that is unique to Sedona and just an incredible Jewish edifice," Jackman said. "We've reached out to everybody in the community because everyone is so diverse."
She said that the architect, Richard Reese, has requested a survey to gauge what the community wants.
Funds for the land came from donations. Jackman declined to disclose how much money was raised and howmuch is needed for the project.
"We're still looking at what the people want and the amount that would cost," she said.
"More and more Jewish individuals and families are moving here and making themselves visible. We want to make sure we're big enough to accommodate everybody."
When the building is constructed, the eastern view of the sanctuary will provide a view "of some of the wonderful red rocks of Sedona," Jackman said. "Obviously, we're going to use a lot of glass."
The Jewish Community of Sedona, which now has some 235 adult members, was established about 10 years ago.
Rabbi Albert Plotkin, who is rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in Phoenix, leads a service once a month; a member of the congregation leads a second service each month. Services are held in member's homes and in churches.
For more information, call 520-204-1286 or write to P.O. Box 10242, Sedona, AZ 86339.
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