Yahrzeits the
Frederick Auld
Carrie Barancik
Benjamin Benjamin*
Donna Berman
Jules Berman
Lee Bernstein
Dorothy Bertoty
Leah Marie Bonaparte
Morton Bregman
Shepard Hugh Cutler*
Alfred Dorf*
Max Englander*
Leanora Feder
Abram Fiermark
Martin Friedrich
Charlotte Gaffield
Henry Girard*
Leonore Harris
Mildred Johns*
Isaac Kurtz
Shirley Lerner
Marc Massar
Nathan Moyer*
Todd Rascoe
Ruth Rifkin
Erwin Stanton Salzer
Harriet Schiebel
Irving Serota
Charlotte Singer
Anna Siscovick*
Samuel Their*
Fran Timmins
Irene Weil*
Philip Wollock*
Abraham Wolotsky
Esther Zumberg*
*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
Alexis Kelly - Raymund Family Religious School Principal 727-347-6136 - RaymundRS@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
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison, Barbara Marin, & the jammin’
Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El.com October 17, 2025
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
As we Floridians stepped outside this week and felt the unexpected chill in the air, many of us paused a momentary shiver, a break from our usual warmth. It’s fleeting, of course, but it invites reflection. How quickly we notice even the slightest change in the natural world.
This week, we read Parshat B’reishit, the beginning of the Torah and of creation itself. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1). From light to darkness, sea to sky, animals to human beings every aspect of creation unfolds with purpose and intention. And yet, by the time we reach the end of the portion, we already see imbalance, disobedience, and disruption in that harmony.
The temporary cold reminds us how fragile and dynamic creation is Here in Florida, we know change is part of life weather shifts, seas rise, communities evolve B’reishit calls us not just to witness creation, but to be shomrei adamah, guardians of the earth The chill in the air is more than a novelty; it’s a reminder that the natural world is always speaking to us
As we begin this new Torah cycle, may we recommit to noticing the world around us not just its beauty, but its needs. May we take the lessons of B’reishit seriously: that we are partners in creation, with the power to nurture or to neglect.
And may we, like creation itself, find renewal even in the unexpected.
Torah Portion Announcements
Saturday, October 18
10am - Torah Study & Brunch
7:30pm - TBE at the Rowdies Game
Sunday, October 19
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze
9:30am - Sunday School
10am - FAST House Meeting - Led by Brenda Breslow
10am - Daystar Lunchmaking
10:30am - Unorthodox Talks Class
Wednesday, October 22
10:45am - Book Club
5pm - Hebrew School
5pm - 4 & 5 Grade B’Mitzvah Orientation th th (Parents Only)
Friday, October 24
5:30pm - Early Oneg
6pm - Erev Shabbat Services
7:15pm - Shabbat Experience Dinner
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!
Parashat B’reishit: Genesis 1:1-6:8
Saturday, October 18, 2025 / 26 Tishri 5786
God creates the world and everything in it in six days and rests on the seventh. (1:1-2:3)
Adam and Eve are placed in the Garden of Eden, where they eat the forbidden fruit and are subsequently exiled. (2:153:24)
Adam and Eve have two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain kills his brother, Abel. (4:1-24)
Adam and Eve have another child named Seth. The Torah lists the ten generations from Adam to Noah. (4:25-5:32)
God regrets having created human beings and decides to destroy everything on earth, but Noah finds favor with God. (6:5-6:8)
Suggestions for parents of our youngest congregants
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
