Barbara Mazer
Vocals/Guitar
Jon Rosenbluth
Vocals/Guitar
Douglas Lichterman
Percussion/Guitar
Stephen Miller Bass
Lance Lubin
Vocals/Mandolin/Guitar
We Remember... May their memory be a blessing and a lesson for how we can live our lives.
Julius Babat*
Max Berger*
Jeanora Don Berzon*
Reva E. Danziger*
William Elkind*
Lester Fortunoff*
William Garrell*
Shirley Geffon*
Barnet Gordich*
Sam Heend*
Betty Kotler*
Irving Kramer*
Syville Morse*
George S Ott
David I. Rosenbleeth*
Katharine Schulhof*
Ruth L. Siegel*
Bobby Stephens
Milton Teichman
Jean Tyler*
Harold Louis Yedvob
*Denotes plaque in Memorial Alcove
We’d love to hear from you!
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
Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El com April 25, 2025
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parshat Sh’mini and Earth Day (which we honored this week) come together in a powerful reminder of our sacred responsibility as Jews to protect and honor the world God has entrusted to us In Sh’mini, the joy of inaugurating the Mishkan is shattered by the sudden death of Nadab and Abihu, who brought an offering God did not command Their mistake was not just in action it was in overstepping boundaries meant to protect the holiness of life. It is a painful lesson in the cost of disregarding divine order.
On Earth Day, we reflect on how we, too, have crossed boundaries polluting the air, poisoning the waters, and exhausting the earth. Like Nadab and Abihu, we may act with passion, even good intentions, but without humility and care, we cause harm. God gave us “adam” , (man/humanity) and placed us in “ gan eden” (the Garden of Eden), to serve and protect it not to dominate or destroy.
Sh’mini also teaches us about “kashrut” (holy eating), mindful consumption. In a world facing ecological crisis, this ancient wisdom feels urgent. We are called to be guardians not just of the Mishkan, but of creation itself.
This Earth Day, Shabbat, and holy time following Passover, may we renew our covenant with the Earth, and with God, to act with love, restraint, and awe
Saturday, Apr. 26
4:30pm - Havdalah & Bar Mitzvah of Holden Green
Sunday, Apr. 27
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze
9:30am - Sunday School
11:30am - Memorial Service for Bonnie Traiman Lunch to follow
Wednesday, Apr. 30
5pm - Hebrew School Last Day
Thursday, May 1
7pm - Choir Rehearsal
Parashat Sh’mini: Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Saturday, April 26, 2025 / 28 Nisan 5785
Aaron and his sons follow Moses' instructions and offer sacrifices so that God will forgive the people. (9:1-24)
Two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer "alien fire" to God. God punishes these two priests by killing them immediately. (10:1-3) God forbids Moses, Aaron, and his surviving sons from mourning but commands the rest of the people to do so. Priests are told not to drink alcohol before entering the sacred Tabernacle and are further instructed about making sacrifices (10:4-20)
Laws are given to distinguish between pure and impure animals, birds, fish, and insects. (11:1-47)
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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!
events
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.
