Dorene Ben
Anne Kleinstub Cohen
Sam B. Cohen
Neal Crystal
Myrtle Davidson
Shirley B. Fiermark
Ida Gastman
Morris Gorman
Murray Hartman
Fern Reid Hayden
Yona Henshell
Yahrzeits Shabbat Spotlight the
Pauline Hershkowitz
Harvey Hertz
Jerry Johnson
Larry Lieberman
Josephine Lipinsky
Jaime Mendel
Annabelle Nochimson
Eli Nochimson
Benjamin Robinson
Louis Rubel
Dorothy Rudd
David Scheibel
Lewis Silverboard
Joseph Spero
Edward Stein
Sevilla Steiner
Warren L. Weil
Evelyn Zolan
Amy L. Morrison - Rabbi 727-347-6136 - RabbiMorrison@TempleBeth-El.com
Tracy Nash - Bookkeeper 727-347-6136 - Bookkeeper@TempleBeth-El.com
Tara O’Donnell - Early Childhood Center Director
727-350-5885 - Tara@TempleBeth-El.com
Josh Gamson - Director of Teen & Youth Engagement 727-347-6136 - Josh@TempleBeth-El.com
Tovah Feld - Communications & Engagement Coordinator 727-347-6136 - Tovah@TempleBeth-El com
Allison Fowler - Executive Assistant to Rabbi 727-347-6136 - Allison@TempleBeth-El com
Bobby Gerry - Maintenance Coordinator 727-347-6136 - Maintenance@TempleBeth-El com
Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El.com
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Henry Van Dyke once said, “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no bird sang there except those that sang best ” Kids are skilled at non-judgmentally bursting into the world with (awkward) singing voices that are untrained, humor that is (highly) unpolished, sports skills that (literally) miss the mark, and a general (non-apologetic lack of filter) to basically say anything they want to anyone around them
AND THEN WE GROW UP.
As adults, we so often err on the side of holding back our true expression of self in the world. We let the judgment of others (real or perceived) guide our actions. We refrain from trying new interests or activities in fear that we won’t be skilled, or as skilled as others, and could fail publicly or be humiliated. We repeatedly bite our tongues when asked our opinions-- concerned that what we think may not be what others want to hear-- or may even make us look bad for being honest in the first place. With each day that goes by, adults seem to more tightly monitor how we present our ‘selves’ in the world around us. Judaism reminds us that God created each human being differently, perfectly imperfect, so that humanity-in coexistence-- would be a multicolored tapestry of souls (and not a uniformly plain blanket).
This shabbat, let us truly seek inward and re-find the many aspects of ourselves that we have quieted, held back, and try to forget just because they don’t fit the larger puzzle Let us reconnect with our inner children as we engage in the world as the unique and fully authentic selves that God made each one of us We may not be the best at everything (or anything) but when we are truly who we were made to be, God feels blessed.
Relax! God put the wiggle in children. Don t feel you have to suppress it in our sanctuary or chapel. Sit towards the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what is happening on the Bima They tire of seeing the backs of other s heads.
Quietly explain our rituals and sing or clap when appropriate. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you
If you need to leave services with your child, do so, but please come back
Remember that the way we welcome children in synagogue directly affects the way they respond to coming to synagogue, to God, to one another.
Let them know that they are welcome in this house of worship, here, at Temple Beth-El
Announcements
Saturday, Aug. 10
10am - 11:30am - Torah Study & Brunch in the APR
Sunday, Aug. 11
9:30am - ECC Beach Bash at St. Pete Beach
Friday, Aug. 16
5:30pm - Early Oneg
6pm - Friday Night LIVE! Erev Shabbat Service with Barbara Mazer & the jammin’ jews
If you are new to Temple Beth-El, welcome!
OPEN COMMUNITY CREATES ENGAGING & DIVERSE JEWISH PATHWAYS
Located in St Petersburg on Florida's beautiful west coast, Temple Beth-El is a Reform Jewish congregation that has served this area since 1928 and is focused on strengthening relationships and making connections We are a welcoming Reform community for Jewish and interfaith households to experience an uplifting and joyful sense of belonging as we seek to connect our members with each other and the greater community and world around us.
Enjoy and have a Shabbat Shalom!
Torah Portion
Parashat D’varim: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Saturday, August 10, 2024 / 6 Av 5784
Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. (1:1–21)
Moses reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. (1:22–45)
Moses recounts that all of the Israelite warriors who left Egypt died, as God had intended, and the people continued their wanderings and defeated their enemies. (2:14–3:11)
Moses reiterates that the Land of Israel was allocated to the Israelite tribes. (3:12–22)
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