OurMusical Service Leaders
Joyce Liu
Pianist & Soloist
Joyce Beroth
Howard Brantz
David Coates*
Dr. Gerald Cohen
Alan Dissin
Frances Ewen Carr
Gizella Gann*
Jacob M. Getz*
Sharon Goldberg
Yahrzeits Shabbat Spotlight the
Eleanore Frishe Graham
Ruth Hill*
Isaak Khavina*
Esther LaHav Klasmer We
Etta G. Kochman*
Maurice Levin*
Zetta Levy
Evan Lieberman
Betty J. March*
Jacob L. Miller*
Abraham Mintz*
Marcos J. Nahon*
Bertha Ottenheimer*
Mark Ross*
Emanuel Schuman*
Harry Ullman
*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 - JennHannon@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 - Office Administrative Assistant 727-347-6136 - Allison@TempleBeth-El.com
Mike Shapiro - Temple President
727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El com
Balak Numbers 22:2-25:9
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison, Joyce Liu, & Stephen Miller
July 11, 2025
Stephen Miller
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parshat Balak teaches a deeply emotional and timeless lesson: sometimes, the greatest blessings in our lives are the ones we never see coming or never even realize are there. In the parsha, King Balak hires the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. But no matter how many times Balaam tries, he simply can’t do it. Instead of curses, blessings pour from his mouth. From the mountaintop, far from the Israelites’ view, God transforms intended harm into words of protection and praise culminating in the beautiful verse, “Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov” “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob ”
What makes this story so powerful is that the Israelites had no idea any of this was happening. They were completely unaware of the danger above them, and just as unaware that it was being turned into blessing. So much of life is like that. We face challenges, setbacks, or closed doors, and we don’t always understand why. But sometimes, what feels like a detour is actually a redirection What feels like a loss may be making room for something better There may be blessings unfolding behind the scenes, even in our hardest moments
Parshat Balak reminds us to trust that even in uncertainty, we are not alone. There is often more happening than we can see guidance, protection, and grace quietly shaping our path
This Shabbat, I invite you to reflect: Can you think of a moment where something that once felt like a disappointment turned into a hidden blessing? Take time to express gratitude not just for the visible good, but for the unseen kindness woven into your story.
As we enter Shabbat, may we open our hearts to both the blessings we know and the ones we ’ ve yet to discover
Parashat Balak: Numbers 22:2-25:9
Saturday, July 12, 2025 / 16 Tammuz 5785
Torah Portion Announcements
Friday, July 18
5:30pm - Early Oneg 6pm - Erev Shabbat Services
Wednesday, July 23
10:45am - Book Club
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!
Balak, the king of Moab, persuades the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he can defeat them and drive them out of the region. However, Balaam blesses the Children of Israel instead and prophesies that Israel's enemies will be defeated. (22:2-24:25)
God punishes the Israelites with a plague for consorting with the Moabite women and their god. The plague is stayed after Pinchas kills an Israelite man and his Midianite woman. (25:1-9)
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.
