Theresa Baum
Arnold Blum*
Dale Brenner
Donald Burnett*
Edythe Cieman*
Adele Cohen*
Elizabeth Edmonds
Robert Efron
Sam Forman
Yahrzeits Shabbat Spotlight the
Herman Gram
Ida Green*
Anna Horowitz*
Marla Kauffman We
Jeffrey Kramer
S. George Levi*
Miriam S. Levine*
Morris Lipinsky, Jr.*
Gilda Mechem
Rosa Lion Miller*
Julia Mizrahi
Morris Newmark*
Eleonor Platner
Jacob Rapoport*
Stella D. Sax*
Irene Schleifer*
Maxine Wells
*Denotes plaque in Memorial Alcove
Reach out to us with any questions.
Amy L. Morrison - Rabbi
727-347-6136 - RabbiMorrison@TempleBeth-El com
Tara O’Donnell - Director of Finance & Operations 727-347-6136 - Tara@TempleBeth-El.com
Jennifer Hannon - Director of Early Childhood Center 727-350-5885 - Jen@TempleBeth-El.com
Tracy Nash - Bookkeeper
727-347-6136 - Bookkeeper@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
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison, Barbara Mazer & the jammin’ jews
Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El com May 16, 2025
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parshat Emor and Shabbat are deeply connected through their emphasis on sanctity, time, and divine rhythm. Parshat Emor, found in Leviticus 21–24, outlines laws for the Kohanim (priests), festivals, and sacred offerings. In chapter 23, the Torah introduces the mo ’adim, the appointed festivals, beginning with Shabbat: "*Six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest *" (Leviticus 23:3) This positioning of Shabbat before the festivals highlights its foundational role in sacred time
Shabbat, unlike the festivals that are fixed by the lunar calendar, recurs weekly and is divinely ordained from Creation. It is not contingent on human intervention, unlike the festivals that are set by the court’s declaration of the new moon. Parshat Emor teaches us that just as the Kohanim must maintain a heightened level of holiness, the people of Israel are to sanctify time first through Shabbat, then through the festivals.
Both Shabbat and the festivals serve as moments of spiritual elevation and cessation from labor. They create a rhythm that fosters mindfulness, gratitude, and a connection to God. In this way, Parshat Emor frames Shabbat not just as a day of rest, but as the cornerstone of Jewish sacred time.
Announcements
Saturday, May 17
10am - Last Torah Study & Brunch before Summer! 6pm - TBE Goes to Camp - Havdalah, BBQ, & S’more
Sunday, May 18
8:45am - 12pm - Mitzvah Day
Wednesday, May 21
6pm - Dinner catered by Boyz in the Hood 6:45pm - Annual Meeting & Awards
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 Emor: Leviticus 21:1-24:23
Saturday, May 17, 2025 / 19 Iyar 5785
Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are presented. (21:1-22:33)
The set times of the Jewish calendar are named and described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. (23:1-44) God commands the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and placement of the displayed loaves of sanctuary bread are explained. (24:1-9) Laws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of others are outlined. (24:10-23)
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.
for a full list of ALL upcoming events
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.
