Torah Portion Torah Portion Torah Portion Announcements Announcements Announcements
As fireworks begin to fill the sky this Fourth of July, many of us hold mixed emotions. Gratitude and pride may sit alongside hold mixed emotions. Gratitude and pride may sit alongside hold mixed emotions. Gratitude and pride may sit alongside worry, heartbreak, or uncertainty about the future. We worry, heartbreak, or uncertainty about the future. We worry, heartbreak, or uncertainty about the future. We celebrate freedom while knowing that freedom remains celebrate freedom while knowing that freedom remains celebrate freedom while knowing that freedom remains unfinished work. unfinished work. unfinished work.
As fireworks begin to fill the sky this Fourth of July, many of us
As fireworks begin to fill sky this of July, many of us
Parshat Pinchas Parshat Pinchas Parshat Pinchas meets us in that tension. The portion begins in meets us in that tension. The portion begins in meets us in that tension. The portion begins the shadow of conflic the shadow of conflic the shadow of conflict and loss, but the Torah refuses to end t and loss, but the Torah refuses to end t and loss, the Torah refuses to end tthere. there. here.
Friday, July 10
5:30pm - Early Oneg
6pm - Erev Shabbat Services
Tuesday, July 14
2pm - Bereavement Group
Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite woman who cursed God. (25:10–15) woman who cursed God. (25:10–15) woman who cursed God. (25:10–15)
IIsra Isra sra el fights a war against the Midianites (25:16-18) el fights a war against the Midianites (25:16-18) el fights a war against the Midianites (25:16-18) AAA sseco seco eco nd censu nd censu nd censusss is taken. (26:1–65) is taken. (26:1–65) is taken. (26:1–65)
TTThe daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of he daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of he daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of property inheritance. property inheritance. property inheritance. ((27:1–11) (27:1–11) 27:1–11)
JJJoshu ooshu shu a is chosen to be Moses' successor. (27:15–23) a is chosen to be Moses' successor. (27:15–23) a is chosen to be Moses' successor (27:15–23)
TTThe sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail. he sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail. he sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail.
Instead, it turns toward healing, toward the future, toward the
Instead, it turns toward healing, toward the future, toward the
We the voices of the daughters of Zelophehad, women
Instead, it turns toward healing, toward the future, toward the sacred task of building a community where people can belong. sacred task of building a community where people can belong. sacred task of building a community where people can belong. We hear the voices of the daughters of Zelophehad, women
We hear the voices of the daughters of Zelophehad, women who courageous who courageous who courageously lly y stand before authority and say, in essence, stand before authority and say, in essence, stand authority and say, in essence, "See us. Count us. We matter." Their claim is not only about "See us. Count us. We matter." Their claim is not only about "See us. us. We matter." claim is not only about inheritance. It is about dignity. inheritance. It is about dignity. inheritance. It is about dignity.
How many of us know that longing? The longing to be seen for How many of us know that longing? longing to be seen for How of us know that longing? The longing to be seen for who we are. The longing to know that there is a place for us at who we are. The longing to know that there is a place for us at who we are. The longing to know that there is a place for us at the table. The longing to trust that our differences are not the table. The longing to trust that our differences are not the The longing to trust that our differences are not obstacles to community but blessings withi obstacles to community but blessings withi obstacles to community but blessings within it. n it. n it.
For a congregation made up of Jewish families, interfaith
For a congregation made up of Jewish families, interfaith
For a congregation made up of Jewish families, interfaith families, LGBTQ+ families, and people finding their own path families, LGBTQ+ families, and people finding their own path families, LGBTQ+ families, and people finding their own path into Jewish life, this Torah speaks directly to our hearts. The into Jewish life, this speaks directly to our hearts. The into Jewish life, this Torah speaks directly to our hearts. The promise of shalom is not that we will all agree. It is that we will promise of shalom is not that we will all agree. It is that we will promise of shalom is not that we will all agree. It is that we will keep choosing one another. Again and again. keep choosing one another. Again and again. keep choosing one another. Again and again.
This Shabbat, reach toward someone who may feel unseen. This Shabbat, reach toward someone who may feel unseen.
This Shabbat, reach toward someone who feel unseen. Make a phone call. Invite someone to your table. Learn a new Make a phone Invite someone to your Learn a new
Make a phone call. Invite someone to your table. Learn a new name. Share a story. In a world hungry for belonging, become name. Share a story. In a world hungry belonging, become name. Share a story. In a world hungry for belonging, become a builder of shalom, one act of welcome at a time. a builder of shalom, one act of welcome at a time. a builder of shalom, one act of at a time.
((28:1–30:1) (28:1–30:1) 28:1–30:1)
Suggestions for parents of our Suggestions for parents of our Suggestions for parents of our youngest congregants youngest congregants youngest congregants
Relax! God gave children their wiggle Relax! God gave children their wiggle
Relax! God gave children their wiggle there’s no need to stifle it in our sanctuary there’s no need to stifle it in our sanctuary there’s no need to stifle it in our sanctuary or chapel. or chapel. or chapel.
Sit near the front so your little ones can Sit near the front so your little ones can
Sit near the front so your little ones can better see and hear what’s happening on better see and hear what’s happening on better see and hear what’s happening on the Bima. They lose interest staring at the the Bima. They lose interest staring at the the Bima. They lose interest staring at the backs of others’ heads. backs of others’ heads. backs of others’ heads.
G G G ently explain our rituals and join in ently explain our rituals and join in ently explain our rituals and join in singing or clapping when it fits. Children singing or clapping when it fits. Children singing or clapping when it fits. Children learn how to participate by watching you. learn how to participate by watching you. learn how to participate by watching you.
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!
If you need to step out with your child, If you need to step out with your child, If you need to step out with your child, that’s okay but please return when you that’s okay but please return when you that’s okay but please return when you ccan. can. an.
Remember, how we welcome children in Remember, how we welcome children in Remember, how we welcome children in synagogue shapes how they feel about synagogue shapes how they feel about synagogue shapes how they feel about being here, about God, and about each being here, about God, and about each being here, about God, and about each other. Let them know they truly belong in other. Let them know they truly belong in other. Let them know they truly belong in this house of worship, here at Temple this house of worship, here at Temple this house of worship, here at Temple BBeth-El. Beth-El. eth-El.
