Upcoming Events
Yahrzeits the
Irene Backer*
Bruce Chaimowitz
Margaret Corralez
Mary Dokowsky*
Florence Drotman
Robert DuBov
Mack Esterson*
Jeanette Fleece*
David Forman*
Barbara Friedman
Harry Frieman*
Ethel Goldner*
Hyman Greenstein*
Lena Grobard*
Elizabeth Henry
Kathryn Higer*
Lee Higer*
Ida Hoffman*
Max Klarin*
Ira Kraus*
Hortense Lasher* We
Pauline Lederer*
Bernard Leff
Susan Marcus
Bernard Margolis
Daisy Massar
Leon Massar
Gertrude Mendelson*
Lucy Mostert
Israel Nuss*
Frances Olitzky*
Herman Osher*
Dorothy Pergricht
Sol Schaffer*
Esther Seidman*
Estelle Sekeres
Pamela Siskin
Rose Stern*
Jack Tyler*
Nancy Unker
*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
Daniel Weiss Parashat Ki Tisa Exodus 30:11-34:35
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
Mike Shapiro - Temple President
727-347-6136 - President@TempleBeth-El.com
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison & Joyce Liu
Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
In Parashat Ki Tisa, we read about a community in crisis. In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites stand at the foot of Sinai, newly freed and newly formed and suddenly, they feel alone. Moses is gone too long. The silence is unbearable. So they build the Golden Calf.
It’s easy to judge them. But who among us hasn’t felt that kind of anxiety? When the future feels uncertain, when leadership falters, when the path forward isn’t clear we reach for something solid. Something visible. Something that promises comfort. The Golden Calf wasn’t just an idol; it was a coping mechanism. It was what they built when they forgot who they were becoming.
Purim tells a different story of hiddenness and courage In the Book of Esther, God’s name is absent Identity is complicated Esther hides her Judaism to survive in a multicultural empire Many of us know that balancing act navigating multiple identities, belonging to more than one world, loving across difference But Esther’s turning point comes when she risks being fully seen. She claims her story. She acts from her deepest truth.
Ki Tisa and Purim speak powerfully to a diverse, interfaith, liberal community like ours. Both remind us that authenticity is not about purity or perfection. It’s about courage. It’s about remembering our values when fear tempts us to shrink. It’s about honoring the many layers of who we are and choosing integrity over invisibility.
This Shabbat, I invite you into a gentle but brave practice: Notice where you ’ ve been hiding or where fear has nudged you to build a “golden calf” of approval, distraction, or silence. Then take one step toward wholeness. Share a story that matters. Stand up for a value you cherish. Let someone see a truer version of you.
Because redemption begins the moment we stop pretending and start becoming.
Torah Portion Announcements
10am - 12pm - Shabbat Morning Service & B’Mitzvah of Harper Gjertsen Saturday, Mar. 7
Sunday, Mar. 8
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze
9:30am - Sunday School
10am - Adult Hebrew Class
10:30am - Unorthodox Talks
Tuesday, Mar. 10
2pm - 3pm - Bereavement Group
Wednesday, Mar. 11
5pm - 6pm - TBE Goes To Camp ‘Parents Only Meeting’
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 Ki Tisa: Exodus 30:11-34:35
Saturday, March 7, 2026 / 18 Adar 5786
Moses takes a census of the Israelites and collects a halfshekel from each person (30:11-16)
God tells Moses to construct a water basin and to prepare anointing oil and incense for the ordination of the priests. Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled artisans, are assigned to make objects for the priests and the Tabernacle. (30:17-31:11)
The Israelites are instructed to keep Shabbat as a sign of their covenant with God. God gives Moses the two tablets of the Pact. (31:12-18)
The Israelites ask Aaron to build them a Golden Calf. Moses implores God not to destroy the people and then breaks the two tablets of the Pact on which the Ten Commandments are written when he sees the idol. God punishes the Israelites by means of a plague. (32:1-35) Moses goes up the mountain with a blank set of tablets for another 40 days so that God will again inscribe the Ten Commandments. Other laws, including the edict to observe the Pilgrimage Festivals, are also revealed. (34:1-28) Moses comes down from the mountain with a radiant face. (34:29-35)
This is Home This is Home
By Sophie Efthimiou By Sophie Efthimiou
This is home, where I belong in this breath, in this heart
This is home, where I belong in this breath, in this heart
This is home, where I belong, in this voice, in this song
This is home, where I belong, in this voice, in this song