Abdel Dana Roca was born in Cuba and raised in in the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from the Jordanian University School of Law.
With prior service with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a Registration Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Dana Roca led a team at the borders between Jordan and Syria assisting displaced persons fleeing persecution by ISIS. Serving in various duty stations globally as Head of the Protection Transfer Arrangement Operation in Central America, Dana Roca worked directly under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and in direct contact with the Department of Homeland Security.
As Gulf Coast JFCS director of refugee integration services, Dana Roca leads the Refugee Services pillar directing staff from 16 nationalities across four service areas in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, North Port, and Miami-Dade towards the common purpose of welcoming the stranger and helping them achieve self-sufficiency. While his primary focus in 2023 has been the continued efforts needed to resettle Afghans through Operation Allies Welcome and United for Ukraine resettling Ukrainians, his team works with the Office of Refugee Resettlement and HIAS to resettle migrants from across the globe. In 2023, the Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee Services staff served nearly 1,600 displaced persons.
Allison Fowler - Executive Assistant to Rabbi 727-347-6136 - Allison@TempleBeth-El.com
Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El com
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison A
Parshat T’rumah emphasizes the importance of contribution for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), a sacred space where God’s presence dwells In this parsha, God instructs the Israelites to bring a variety of offerings gold, silver, copper, fabric, and more to build the Mishkan. Each person is called to offer something unique, based on their abilities and resources, to create a space that reflects a collective commitment to holiness. This diverse array of materials highlights the idea that everyone has something valuable to contribute, regardless of what they possess.
This concept parallels the notion that every individual has something unique to offer the world. Just as the Mishkan could not have been built from only one type of material, society cannot thrive if everyone contributes the same skills or resources. Each person ’ s strengths, whether in creativity, compassion, leadership, or technical skills, enrich the collective whole. Like the Israelites in T’rumah, we are called to bring our unique abilities together to create a better world, making it a space where everyone ’ s contributions are valued. In doing so, we can build a society that reflects diversity, unity, and the shared goal of improving the world around us
Announcements
Saturday, Mar. 1
10am-11:30am“Mini Minyan” Shabbat Service
Sunday, Mar. 2
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze 9:30am - Sunday School
Wednesday, Mar. 5
5pm - Hebrew School
Thursday, Mar. 6
7pm - Choir Rehearsal
Upcoming Events
If you are new to Temple Beth-El, welcome!
OPEN COMMUNITY CREATES ENGAGING & DIVERSE JEWISH PATHWAYS
Located in St Petersburg on Floridas 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 T’rumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19
Saturday, March 1, 2025 / 6 Adar 5785
God asks the Children of Israel to donate gifts (T’rumah) for the building of the Tabernacle so that God may "dwell among them." (25:1-9)
Instructions for the construction of the Ark, table, and menorah are provided. (25:10-40)
Detailed directions are given on how to build the Tabernacle. (26:1-27:19)
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.
