Abraham Brean*
Budd Bugatch
Abraham Fortunoff*
Fay Fuldauer
Selma Gerson*
Mel Gross
Elaine Grossman
Lillian Haliczer*
Yahrzeits Shabbat Spotlight the
Yona Henshell
Mae Konigsburg We
Harold L. Leveen*
Abraham Nathan Olitzky*
Benjamin Robinson*
Harold D. Rossuck
Lewis Rubin
Dorothy Rudd
David Scheibel
Isidore Silverberg*
Ruth Simon
Sevilla Steiner*
*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
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parshat D’varim, the first portion in the book of D’varim (Deuteronomy), begins with Moses standing before the Israelites, offering words of reflection, guidance, and encouragement. After forty years of wandering, they are on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Rather than launching directly into action, Moses pauses to look back recounting their journey, their struggles, and their growth. It is a powerful reminder that before stepping into something new, we must first take time to understand where we ’ ve come from.
The end of summer offers a similar moment of pause. As the season begins to shift and a new cycle approaches, we are invited to reflect on our own journeys. Summer, with its slower pace and open horizons, gives us room to breathe, to grow, and to reconnect with what matters most. And as it draws to a close, it asks us: What have we learned? How have we changed? What do we want to carry forward?
Parshat D’varim encourages us to enter the next chapter of our lives not passively, but with intention. It teaches that every transition whether in the wilderness or in our everyday lives is a sacred opportunity to realign with our values and purpose. As we stand at the edge of a new season, we are reminded that we, too, can begin again. With reflection as our guide and hope as our compass, we step forward ready to write the next part of our story with clarity, courage, and heart
Torah Portion Announcements
Parashat D’varim: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Saturday, August 2, 2025 / 8 Av 5785 Friday, August 8
5:30pm - Early Oneg 6pm - Erev Shabbat Services
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!
Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. (1:1–21)
Moses reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. (1:22–45)
Moses recounts that all of the Israelite warriors who left Egypt died, as God had intended, and the people continued their wanderings and defeated their enemies. (2:14–3:11)
Moses reiterates that the Land of Israel was allocated to the Israelite tribes. (3:12–22)
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.
