Yahrzeits
We Remember...
May their memory be a blessing and a lesson for how we can live our lives. Bob McInnis Louis Arotlin* Logan Michewicz Mary Floyd Auld Milton Milch* Henry Barancik Edith Neimeth Leon Beroth Sallie Parks Josephine Blum Alan Platner Herbert Boksen* Soni Plotnick Sara Celia Borish* Genevieve Polack* Daisy Dimenstein Yetta Pollack Sarah Dreifuss Miriam Reuben Hannah Eichenbaum* Seymour (Sy) Ripps* Betty Gloria Englander* David Rotenberg Belle Friedman* Mel Shapiro Fay Fuldauer* Mildred Shavlan Arzena Conrad Ginsberg* David R. Spilky* Mitchell Goldstein* Sylvan Steiner Howard Gordon Joseph Susskind* Paul Grossman Jonathan Symonds Sophie Grove* Emanuel Weil* Edward Kunitz Jacob Weinstein* Martin Lebowitz Nathan Woolf* Mignon Leonard* Nava Zamoff Mitchell Ruth Leveen* *Denotes plaque in Memorial Alcove
the
Shabbat
Spotlight
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us with any questions.
Join us for :
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
Parashat Vayeira
Tracy Nash - Bookkeeper 727-347-6136 - Bookkeeper@TempleBeth-El.com
Genesis 18:1-22:24
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 & Joyce Liu #tbestpete
November 7, 2025
A Special Message from
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
As the days get shorter and it starts getting dark before dinner, it’s easy to feel that shift inside us too. The early sunsets can make everything feel slower, heavier, a little lonelier. Parshat Vayeira meets us right there—in the tension between light and darkness.
Announcements
Saturday, November 8 10am - Shabbat Morning Services & B’Mitzvah of Frankie Diamond Sunday, November 9 8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze 9:30am - Sunday School 10am - Social Justice Committee Meeting
Torah Portion
Parashat Vayeira: Genesis 18:1-22:24 Saturday, November 8, 2025 / 17 Chesvan 5786
Throughout the parshah, we see moments of both brightness and pain —Isaac’s birth and laughter, the destruction of Sodom, the fear on Mount Moriah. Through it all, Abraham keeps choosing faith, compassion, and connection.
Wednesday, November 12 5pm - Hebrew School
That feels like the challenge of this season too. When it gets dark so early, we can either pull back or reach out. We can let the darkness close in—or we can bring light to it in small, real ways: checking in on someone, doing something kind, being present.
Friday, November 14 5:30pm - Early Oneg 6pm - Erev Shabbat Service 7:15pm - Shabbat Experience Dinner
Abraham welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son. (18:1-15) Abraham argues with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (18:16-33) Lot's home is attacked by the people of Sodom. Lot and his two daughters escape as the cities are being destroyed. Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt. (19:1-29) Lot impregnates his daughters, and they bear children who become the founders of the nations Moab and Ammon. (19:30-38) Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah as his wife after Abraham claims that she is his sister. (20:1-18) Isaac is born, circumcised, and weaned. Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away; an angel saves their lives. (21:1-21) God tests Abraham, instructing him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. (22:1-19)
Saturday, November 15 10am - Shabbat Morning Services & B’Mitzvah of Lily Latham, Olivia Latham, & Zoe David
Suggestions for parents of our youngest congregants
Abraham sits at the entrance of his tent, still looking for people to help, even when things feel quiet and uncertain. His instinct is to open the door, to create warmth when the world is cooling down.
Vayeira reminds us that light doesn’t just happen—it’s something we make. Even when the days feel shorter, we can still create warmth, hope, and meaning that lasts long after the sun goes down.
Next week!
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
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!
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.