Yahrzeits
Anne G. Bass*
Delores Benjamin
Kira Brustein
Ruth Byrd
Simon Cooper
Robert Evan Corenswet
Albert Esrick
Susan Gamson
Murray Gessner*
William Glass
Allan Greenfield*
Jerome "Jerry" Hoffman*
June Jacobs*
Eugene Kaminsky*
Rose Klausner*
Edward Kunitz
Ellen Kunitz
Grischa Matracht
Anthony J. Miltich
Leo Mitteldorf*
George Mostert
Anne M. Pearlman
Marvin Peltz*
Nathan Rapoport*
Harold Richman
Edward Rosenbluth*
Ronald Sakol*
Agnes Schlitt
Harry Schuster
Frances Stern*
Rose Susskind*
Arnold Weisband
Jeanette Wilborn
*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 Join us for :
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
Genesis 25:19-28:9
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison, Joyce Liu, & Stephen Miller
Mike Shapiro - Temple President 727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El.com November 21, 2025
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parashah Toldot offers a powerful lens on what it means to pause, replenish, and regain clarity in the midst of life’s pressures. The parashah is full of tension siblings competing for attention, parents navigating complicated loyalties, and a household struggling to understand its own future. In the middle of all this emotional noise, no one seems to have the space to breathe. Isaac is trying to honor his past, Rebecca is trying to protect the future, and Jacob and Esau are each struggling to be seen. It’s a story that reminds us how easy it is to move through life in survival mode, reacting instead of reflecting.
Yet hidden inside Toldot is a quieter message: even in moments of conflict, we need room to step back and replenish ourselves Isaac models this when he digs and re-digs the wells of his father Wells are symbols of life, clarity, and renewal When Isaac pauses long enough to uncover fresh water, he reminds us that sometimes the most important spiritual work we can do is to clear away the debris that has piled up around us old fears, old habits, old stories so that something life-giving can flow again
Taking a break is not a sign of weakness; it is a recognition that our inner “wells” need attention When we push ourselves constantly, we lose perspective But when we pause, even briefly, we can return with gentler hearts and clearer minds We can choose our actions rather than being driven by exhaustion or anxiety
So, my charge for all of us is this: take the time to uncover your own well Step back, breathe, replenish so that when you return, you can offer the world not just effort, but your truest, most grounded self
Join us for :
Announcements
Saturday, November 22 10am - Torah Study & Brunch
Friday, November 28 5:30pm - Early Oneg 6pm - Erev Shabbat Services
Torah Portion
Parashat Toldot: Genesis 25:19-28:9 Saturday, November 22, 2025 / 2 Kislev 5786
Rebekah has twins, Esau and Jacob. (25:19-26) Esau gives Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (25:27-34)
King Abimelech is led to think that Rebekah is Isaac's sister and later finds out that she is really his wife. (26:1-16)
Isaac plans to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (27:1-29) Esau threatens to kill Jacob, who then flees to Haran. (27:30-45)
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!
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.
