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May their memory be a blessing and a lesson for how we can live our lives. Lawrence Aghassi Louis Kirschbaum Mark Allen Saul Klitsner* Frederick Auld Helen Laub* Carrie Barancik Betty Leibowitz Maxine Bardach Florence Lemkowitz Anna Berger* Shirley Lerner Lee Bernstein Arthur Nachbar* Dorothy Bertoty Ruth Rifkin Niall Charrett Selma Rothseid Shepard Hugh Cutler* Erwin Salzer Renee Daniels* Harriet Schiebel William Fleece Irving Serota Martin Friedrich Charlotte Singer Henry Girard* Kate Slavin Max Glass* Fran Timmins Harriet Goff Beatrice Trock* Herbert Goff Theodora Unterberger Leonore Harris Irene Weil* Jack Jenkins* Abraham Wolotsky
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 - Executive Director 727-347-6136 - Tara@TempleBeth-El.com Alexis Kelly - Director of Raymund Family Religious School 727-347-6136 - RaymundRS@TempleBeth-El.com
Parashat Noach Genesis 6:9−11:32
Tracy Nash - Administrative Office & Financial Coordinator 727-347-6136 - Bookkeeper@TempleBeth-El.com Tovah Feld - Marketing & Communications Coordinator 727-347-6136 - Tovah@TempleBeth-El.com Nancy Stein - Membership & Community Engagement Coordinator 727-347-6136 - Nancy@TempleBeth-El.com Jay Miller - Temple President 727-347-6136
Rabbi Rabbi Amy Amy L. L. Morrison, Morrison, Barbara Barbara Marin Marin & & the the Jammin’ Jammin’ Jews Jews #tbestpete
October 16, 2026
A Special Message from
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
This week we read the story of Noach, Noach, a story about a flood, an ark, animals coming two by two, and a whole lot of rain. It is also a story about responsibility. After the flood, God places a rainbow in the sky as a promise. God promises never again to destroy the earth with a flood. But I wonder if that promise is only about what God will do. Maybe it is also an invitation to us. is Judaism teaches that we are partners with God in the ongoing work of creation. God gave us the ability to choose. We have autonomy. We get to decide what kind of people we will be and what kind of world we will help create. And with that freedom comes responsibility. We are asked to care for the earth, for one another, and for the bodies we have been given. We are not simply passengers on this planet, waiting for God to take care of everything. We have a role to play.
Announcements Sat., Oct. 17
4:30pm - Havdalah B’Mitzvah Service of Sarah Cowart
Sun., Oct. 18 8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze 9:30am - Sunday School 10am - Sisterhood Mah Jongg (RSVP - All are welcome!) 10am - FAST Rodef Tzedek Justice Seekers Network Sacred Conversation 10:30am - Liturgy Class
Wed., Oct. 21 4pm - Sisterhood Mah Jongg (RSVP - All are welcome!) 5pm - Hebrew School
So, what does the rainbow mean for us today? Perhaps it is a reminder that the world is still ours to protect. We can waste less. Use less. Recycle. Plant something. Pick up the trash we did not put there. Take care of our bodies. Speak up when our environment or our neighbors need protecting. None of these actions will single-handedly save the planet, but together they matter. This Shabbat, I challenge you to choose one small way to be God’s partner in caring for this world. Because apparently, the rainbow is beautiful, but God still expects us to do some of the work.
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!
Torah Portion
Parashat Noach Genesis: 6:9-11:32
Saturday, Saturday, October October 17, 17, 2026 2026 // 66 Cheshvan Cheshvan 5787 5787 God God decides decides to to cause cause aa flood flood that that will will destroy destroy the the world, world, sparing sparing only only Noah's Noah's family family and and the the animals animals that that Noah Noah gathers gathers together together on on the the ark. ark. (6:9-8:22) (6:9-8:22) Life ag Life starts starts over over again again ain after after the the Flood. Flood. The The Noahide Noahide Commandments llisted, G Commandments are are listed, isted, and and God God od uses uses aa rainbow rainbow to to make make aa symbol symbol of of the the first first covenant. covenant. (9:1-17) (9:1-17) People People start start to to build build aa city city and and the the Tower Tower of of Babel. Babel. God God scatters scatters the the people people and and gives gives them them different different languages languages to to speak. speak. (11:1-9) (11:1-9) The The ten ten generations generations from from Noah Noah to to Abram Abram are are listed. listed. (11:10-29:2) (11:10-29:2)
Suggestions Suggestions for for parents parents of of our our youngest youngest congregants congregants Relax! Relax! God God gave gave children children their their wiggle—there’s wiggle—there’s no no need need to to stifle stifle itit in in our our sanctuary sanctuary or or chapel. chapel. Sit Sit near near the the front front so so your your little little ones ones can can better better see see and and hear hear what’s what’s happening happening on on the the Bima. Bima. They They lose lose interest interest staring staring at at the the backs backs of of others’ others’ heads. heads. Gently G Gently ently explain explain our our rituals rituals and and join join in in singing singing or or clapping clapping when when itit fits. fits. Children Children learn learn how how to to participate participate by by watching watching you. you. IfIf you you need need to to step step out out with with your your child, child, that’s that’s okay—but okay—but please please return return when when you you can. can. Remember, Remember, how how we we welcome welcome children children in in synagogue synagogue shapes shapes how how they they feel feel about about being being here, here, about about God, God, and and about about each each other. other. Let Let them them know know they they truly truly belong belong in in this this house house of of worship, worship, here here at at Temple Temple Beth-El. Beth-El.