Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Within this week’s Torah portion, Judah approaches his brother Joseph (still in ‘disguise’) and pleads for their brother Benjamin to be set free. Upon recognizing his brothers loyalty to each other, Joseph reveals his true identity to his siblings and they are ashamed, embarrassed and deeply saddened at how much time they had already lost with their brother for their own immaturity and jealousy. What would it have looked like if the brothers took this moment in great joy—‘our brother is alive!’ as opposed to wallowing in their loss of time together?
Rabbi Morris Joseph (Chief Rabbi of London, 1868) shared his struggles in saying, “Something precious is taken from us, and we think of it as something we have lost, instead of something we have had. We remember only how empty our lives are now, we forget how full and rich they were before…Let us count the past, happy days not as loss, but as gain. We have had them; and, now that they are ended, let us turn the loss to glorious gain—the gain that comes with new courage, with nobler tasks, with a wider outlook on life and duty…”
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Torah Portion
Saturday, January 4, 2025 / 4 Tevet 5785
Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34)
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. (45:1-15)
Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph's family to "live off the fat of the land." (45:16-24)
LocatedinSt.PetersburgonFlorda'sbeautifu westcoast,TempleBeth-E isaReform Jewishcongregationthathasservedthisareasince1928andisfocusedon strengthenngreationshipsandmakingconnections.WeareawelcomingReform communityforJewshandinterfaithhouseholdstoexperienceanupliftingandjoyful senseofbeongingasweseektoconnectourmemberswitheachotherandthe greatercommunityandworldaroundus EnjoyandhaveaShabbatShalom! Parashat Vayigash: Genesis 44:18-47:27
Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God s blessing, goes to Egypt. (45:25-46:33)
Pharaoh permits Joseph s family to settle in Goshen Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. (47:1-12)
With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food. The Israelites thrive in Egypt. (47:13-27)
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
a full list of ALL upcoming events
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.
Janine Barasch
Albert Barton
Samuel Berko*
Benjamin Blum
Mort Diamond*
Julius Fishman*
Jeanette Zuber Folloder
Clara Fortunoff*
Benjamin Green*
Cecelia Haveson*
Terri Heinrich
Fred Hesse
Sarah Holtzman*
Yahrzeits Shabbat Spotlight the
Joseph Honigsberg*
Norm Jacobs*
H. Paul Julien
Sam Kapell*
Miriam Loew*
Sonya Haliczer Miller
William Murphy
David Reader*
Alyn Rovin
Dr. Jacob L. Rudd
Helen Russon
Henry Sauber
Irving Schechter*
Marcy Jaye Schrum
Nanette Schutz*
Abraham Shapiro*
Abigail Siscovick*
Bianca Teltsch*
Marion Traiman
Edward Wallack
Herbert Wang
Ella Weinberg*
*Denotes plaque in Memorial Alcove
Reach out to us with any questions.
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
