“Guard me from despising others for their weaknesses, and, whatever my faults and weaknesses may be, let me not come to despise myself. Instead, encourage me to try harder to see the good in others, that I may come to see that there is strength and goodness in everyone including me!”
This quote by Rabbi Chayim Stern reminds us that it is an ongoing choice to decide how we see and understand “the other.” Just as we hope to be given the benefit of the doubt and to be thought of as a holistic being (and not just how we respond in any one given situation) so too must we repeatedly challenge ourselves to be open-minded and curious to what motivates, inspires, and influences those we interact with.
Noah, the main character of this Toral portion, was seen as a “righteous man ” however, that was a 360-degree view of his entire life. Had God’s decision to save him and his family from the flood been based on one of many times in Noah’s life when he was ‘less than righteous’ would the flood have wiped all humanity off the earth?
We deserve to see ourselves and those who surround us in the same light as God saw Noah. Each person is a whole story and not a single sentence or page within a book. May this Shabbat allow us to recognize where we can live ‘ more righteously’ but not to overshadow the many places where we already do.
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze Help needed to prep & clean up! 9:30am - Religious School
Thursday, Nov. 7
7pm - Cantor Pamela Siskin Memorial Choir Rehearsal
Upcoming Events
If you are new to Temple Beth-El, welcome!
Located in St. Petersburg on Floridas beautiful west coast, Temple Beth-E 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 uplfting 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 ShabbatShalom!
Torah Portion
Noach: Genesis 6:9-11:32 Saturday, November 2, 2024 / 1
God decides to cause a flood that will destroy the world, sparing only Noah's family and the animals that Noah gathers together on the ark. (6:9-8:22)
Life starts over again after the Flood. The Noahide Commandments are listed, and God uses a rainbow to make a symbol of the first covenant. (9:1-17)
People start to build a city and the Tower of Babel. God scatters the people and gives them different languages to speak. (11:1-9)
The ten generations from Noah to Abram are listed. (11:1029:2)
Relax! God put the wiggle in children. Don’t fee 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
Yahrzeits Shabbat Spotlight the Our Community in Photos
We Remember...
May their memory be a blessing and a lesson for how we can live our lives.
Joy Starks Baker
Henry Barancik
Anna Berger*
Jules Berman
Louis Cohen*
William Coleman*
Joseph Gordon
Ruth L. Gray
Mildred Johns*
Kevin McClellan
Marcia Michewicz
Ralph A. Moulton, Jr.
1. Avery DiBenedetto showing her Torah skills at TBE’s
SJC filling the GCJCFS Food Pantry with items donated by TBE
Simchat Torah Celebration 2. BEEFY Bowling Night with Teens from TBE, CBI, & TBI
