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July 11, 2003/Tamuz 11 5763, Vol. 55, No.46
Sedona settlers
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Members gather at the June 22 dedication ceremony for Sedona's first synagogue and community center.
Photo courtesy of the Jewish Community of Sedona
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Members of the Jewish community in Sedona and the Verde Valley will soon have a place to call home.
Construction for Sedona's first synagogue and community center began April 21 and a dedication ceremony was held June 22 - the expected completion date for the building is December or January, says Joe Knauer, president of the Jewish Community of Sedona (JCS).
JCS purchased two acres of land from a Lutheran church at Highway 179 and Meadowlark in 2000 and now "the construction is on its way," Knauer says. "It's going to be a gorgeous facility."
About 60 people attended the ceremony, led by Rabbi Albert Plotkin, rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale. Plotkin leads monthly Shabbat services and Saturday Torah study sessions for the congregation; a member of the congregation leads a second service each month and visiting rabbis lead additional services throughout the year.
Before the dedication, Plotkin performed "Un Az Der Rebbe Singt" ("And As The Rabbi Sings") at a nearby church with Cantor Mikhal Shiff-Matter of Temple Beth Israel of Scottsdale and pianist Jackie Huber. Funds from the Yiddish musical performance benefited the building fund.
JCS membership is made up of about 300 individuals, but Knauer estimates that there are up to 600 Jewish families in Sedona and the Verde Valley - results from a survey conducted by the congregation about six years ago. In addition to Shabbat and High Holiday services, JCS programs include holiday celebrations, a Women's Chavurah, a Men's Club, a Jewish book club, a Yiddish Club and social events.
JCS was started in 1988 by a small group of Jews who represented Reform, Conservative and Orthodox backgrounds, according to a document by member Ira Marxe. "This varied group of Jewish settlers recognized that they wanted to bring together the Jews of Sedona and the surrounding areas and live and work in mutual respect for each other's beliefs," he wrote. JCS is not affiliated with any denomination and is open to Jews of all backgrounds.
Once the synagogue is built, it will accommodate about 125 people for Shabbat services and up to 400 for High Holiday services, Knauer says. The building also will house classrooms, meeting rooms and a kitchen. The two-level building will be available for weddings, bar and bat mitzvah celebrations and other catered social events.
"We're hoping to attract members from Phoenix," Knauer says, noting that many Phoenicians have second homes in Sedona. "We think it's just wonderful for them to support us and join us and celebrate with us when they come up to the cool country."
Call (928) 204-1286 or e-mail JCS@sedona.net.
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