08.22.25 - TBE Shabbat Spotlight

High Holidays are right around the corner.....

Yahrzeits

We Remember...

May their memory be a blessing and a lesson for how we can live our lives.

Diane Berni Howard Lichterman Sam Cohan* Louis Lobovits* Esther Cons* Lewis Moyer* Jerry DeGennaro George D. Reingold* Ruth Dikman Ted Roseman M. Alan Friedman* Mel Rosenberg Max N. Fuldauer* Shirley Schwartz Marshall Gootson Mabelle Silver Lloyd Gottesman Sarah Silverberg* Pearl Kahn* Jane D. Spilky* Caroline Kichler Abraham Spivack* Eva Kramer Ida Weisband Sol Lane*

the

Shabbat

Spotlight

*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 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

@TBEStPete @TBEStPete

Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El.com

400 Pasadena Ave S. St. Petersburg, FL 33707

Parashat R’eih

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 Rabbi Amy L. Morrison, Barbara Mazer, & the jammin’ jews #tbestpete

August 22, 2025

A Special Message from

Rabbi Amy L. Morrison

Parshat R’eih begins with a call that echoes through the soul: “See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse.” It’s more than a choice — it’s an invitation to live with intention, to wake up to the lives we’re shaping with each decision we make. As we enter Elul and approach the High Holidays, this message feels especially urgent. Now is the time to look inward, to ask: Am I living the life I’m meant to live?

Announcements

Saturday, August 23 10am - Torah Study & Brunch Wednesday, August 27 10:45am - Book Club

R’eih also speaks of sacred places and sacred rhythms — reminders that holiness isn’t abstract. It’s built into our lives, especially through Shabbat. Shabbat is our weekly pause, our chance to stop running and simply be. It offers a space to listen to the quiet stirrings of the soul — the same stirrings that become louder during the Days of Awe. In this season of return, Shabbat becomes our training ground. Each one is a chance to begin again, to reconnect, to prepare.

Here is your charge: Choose one Shabbat between now and Rosh HaShanah to fully show up — no distractions, no rush. Light the candles with intention. Pray with an open heart. Study something that challenges you. Reflect deeply. Let that Shabbat be your soul’s way home.

Torah Portion Parashat R’eih: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 Saturday, August 23, 2025 / 29 Av 5785 God places both blessings and curses before the Israelites.

They are taught that blessings will come through the observance of God’s laws. (11:26–32) Moses’ third discourse includes laws about worship in a central place (12:1–28); injunctions against idolatry (12:29– 13:19) and self-mutilation (14:1–2); dietary rules (14:3–21); and laws about tithes (14:22–25), debt remission (15:1–11), the release and treatment of Hebrew slaves (15:12–18), and firstlings (15:19–23).

Moses reviews the correct sacrifices to be offered during the Pilgrim Festivals—Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavuot. (16:1-17)

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 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!

Visit templebeth-el.com for a full list of ALL upcoming events

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.