Rabbi Amy L. Morrison Rabbi Amy L. Morrison Rabbi Amy L. Morrison A
Parashat Acharei Mot Parashat Acharei Mot Parashat Acharei Mot opens in the shadow of loss and uncertainty, yet opens the shadow of loss and opens in the shadow of loss and uncertainty, yet it calls the community forward into sacred responsibility In its it calls the forward into sacred responsibility. In its it calls the community forward into sacred responsibility. In its instructions for holiness, we hear a timeless truth: even amid grief and instructions for holiness, we hear a timeless truth: even amid grief and instructions for holiness, we hear a timeless truth: even amid grief and disagreement, we are commanded to build a society rooted in justice, disagreement, we are commanded to build a society rooted in justice, disagreement, we are commanded to build a society rooted in justice, compassion, and care for one another compassion, and care for one another. compassion, and care for one another.
As we mark As we mark As we mark Yom Ha’atzmaut Yom Ha’atzmaut Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, we hold , Israel’s Independence Day, we hold , Israel’s Independence Day, we hold similarly complex emotions For many, Israel represents refuge, similarly complex emotions. For many, Israel refuge, similarly complex emotions. For many, Israel represents refuge, resilience, and the realization of an ancient dream For others, it resilience, and the realization of an ancient dream. For others, resilience, and the realization of an ancient dream. For others, it raises difficult moral and political questions In a community like ours, raises difficult moral and political questions. In a community like ours, raises difficult moral and political questions. In a community like ours, we do not erase these tensions we honor them What binds us is not we do not erase these tensions…we honor them. What binds us is not we do not erase these tensions…we honor them. What binds us is not uniformity of opinion, but a shared sense that uniformity of but a shared sense that uniformity of opinion, but a shared sense that רשק רשק, connection, to a , connection, to a , connection, to a homeland and a people matters homeland and a people matters. homeland and a people matters.
The Torah reminds us: “ The Torah reminds us: “ The Torah reminds us: “
” “You shall keep ” “You shall keep ” “You shall keep My laws and live by them” (Leviticus 18:5) The goal is life! My laws… and live by them” (Leviticus 18:5). The goal life! My laws… and live by them” (Leviticus 18:5). The goal is life!
Torah Portion Torah Portion Torah Portion Announcements Announcements Announcements
Saturday, Apr. 25
10am - Mitzvah Minyan - The Hub
Sunday, Apr. 26
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze
8:45am - Sisterhood Coffee Talk
w/Jenna Gjertsen
9:30am - Sunday School
10am - Adult Hebrew Class
10:30am - Unorthodox Talks
12pm - TBE Goes to Camp Session #2
Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim: 16:1-20:27
Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim: 16:1-20:27
Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim: 16:1-20:27 Saturday, April 25, 2026 / 8 Iyar Saturday, April 25, 2026 / 8 Iyar Saturday, April 25, 2026 / 8 Iyar
The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are
The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are
The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are delineated and the c delineated and the c delineated and the ceeremony eremony remony of the scapegoat is outl of the scapegoat is outl of the scapegoat is outl ined. (16:1- ined (16:1- ined (16:1228) 28) 8)
M M M oses instructs Aaron about the oses instructs Aaron about the oses instructs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and Yom Kippur laws for fasting and Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement. (16:29-34) atonement. (16:29-34) atonement. (16:29-34)
Warnings are issu Warnings are issu Warnings are issu ed against the offer ed against the offer ed against the offer ing of ing of ing of ssac sac acrrifices rifices ifices outside the outside the outside the Sanctuary and the consumption Sanctuary and the consumption Sanctuary and the consumption of blood. (17:1-16) of blood. (17:1-16) of blood. (17:1-16)
Moses condemns Moses condemns Moses condemns the sexual practices of some neighboring the sexual practices of some neighboring the sexual practices of some neighboring peoples Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited (18:1-30) peoples Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited (18:1-30) peoples. Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited. (18:1-30)
A full, dignified, and sacred life for all.
A full, dignified, and sacred life for all
A full, dignified, and sacred life for all.
Wednesday, Apr. 29
God God God issues a variety of commandments, instructi issues a variety of commandments, instructi issues a variety of commandments, instructi ng the Israelites ng the Israelites ng the Israelites on how to be on how to be on how to be a holy people. (19:1-37) a holy people. (19:1-37) a holy people. (19:1-37)
This Shabbat, let us take on a charge: choose one value you wish to
This Shabbat, let us take on a charge: choose one value you wish to
This Shabbat, let us take on a charge: choose one you wish to see flourish in Israel, in our community, in the world and act on it. see flourish Israel, our community, in the world and act on it. see flourish in Israel, in our community, in the world and act on it.
5pm - Hebrew School Last Day
VVVarious sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are arious sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are arious sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are presented. (20:1-27) presented (20:1-27) presented (20:1-27)
Whether it is pursuing peace, advancing justice, or deepening
Whether it is pursuing peace, advancing justice, or deepening
Whether it is pursuing peace, advancing justice, or deepening understanding, commit to one concrete step. In doing so, we honor understanding, commit to one concrete step. In doing so, we honor understanding, commit to one concrete step. In doing so, we honor both the holiness Acharei Mot demands and the living, evolving story both the holiness Acharei Mot demands and the living, evolving story both the holiness Acharei Mot demands and the living, evolving story of our people and our homeland. of our people and our homeland. of our people and our homeland.
Thursday, Apr. 30
7pm - Choir Rehearsal
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!
Relax! God gave children their wiggle there’s no need to stifle it in our sanctuary or chapel. Sit near the front so your little ones can better see and hear what’s happening on the Bima They lose interest staring at the backs of others’ heads.
Gently explain our rituals and join in singing or clapping when it fits. Children learn how to participate by watching you.
If you need to step out with your child, that’s okay but please return when you can
Remember, how we welcome children in synagogue shapes how they feel about being here, about God, and about each other. Let them know they truly belong in this house of worship, here at Temple Beth-El.
