Adult Learning Opportunities

Torah on Tap

Tuesday, March 3 | 5:00 pm | Odd Colony Brewery

Join us at Odd Colony Brewery (260 N Palafox St) for an adult beverage, lively conversation, and Jewish learning. This month's topic will be: “Courage in the Megillah and Beyond." For more information contact Rabbi Joel.

Adult B’nai Mitzvah

Continuing Tuesdays, March 3 and 24 | 11:00 am | Temple Beth El

The learning journey to becoming Adult B’nai Mitzvah continues with an exploration of Jewish text and prayer in preparation for the special B'nai Mitzvah service on Saturday, May 23. Adult B’nai Mitzvah is open to adult Temple members. For more info, please contact Rabbi Joel. 

Introduction to Judaism

Concluding Wednesday, March 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Temple Beth El

Want to know more about Judaism? Thinking about conversion? Not sure how to answer your children’s questions about Jewish holidays? Join us for Introduction to Judaism! Together we will explore Jewish belief, sacred text, Jewish holidays, lifecycle events, and important historical events. The class will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month through March 4. For more information or to RSVP contact Rabbi Joel.

Torah Study: Book of Deuteronomy

Saturday, March 7 | 9:30 am | Temple Beth El and Zoom

Join us as we continue our study of Deuteronomy. We will explore the text with the help of both rabbinic and modern commentaries. Learners of all levels and experience are welcome. Bagels and shmear will be served. For more information contact Rabbi Joel.

Aleph Bet: Now What?

Sundays, March 8 and 29 | 10:15 am

Join us for a 7-session advanced beginner Hebrew Class. If you can identify letters and vowels, and are ready to put them together to learn common words and expressions, this class is for you! The class will continue Sundays, February 8, February 22, March 8, March 29, and April 12 from 10:15 - 11:15 am. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Andrea Fleekop at andreafleekop@gmail.com.

Mediterranean Cooking with Kate Lollar

Wednesdays | 3:00 pm | Temple Beth El

Interested in learning how to make healthy, delicious, and easy Mediterranean and Sephardic Dishes? Kate Lollar is offering weekly adult cooking classes at Temple Beth El. The only cost to participate is share of supplies. If you are interested in future classes, please contact Kate to let her know you plan to attend.

Megillah Reading

Sunday, March 8 | 11:15 am

The entire congregation is invited to join with students from School for Jewish Living at Temple Beth El as together we celebrate Purim with fun songs, reading of Megillat Esther, and shaking our graggers.

Costumes are strongly encouraged!

Join in the Continued Commemoration of our Temple’s 150th Anniversary!

Temple Beth El has partnered with the University of West Florida Historic Trust to present a special exhibition celebrating our anniversary. The exhibit will explore the history and culture of the Temple and its integral role in our community’s past, present and future. It will feature selected objects from Temple Beth El’s Judaica collection, the University of West Florida’s historical archives and The Bear Family Foundation collection. The exhibition will be presented at two venues: the Pensacola Museum of Art and Temple

Beth El.

The Pensacola Museum of Art exhibition will open Thursday, March 12,

2026 with an opening reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will run through March 29, 2026. The exhibition will then move to Temple Beth El, where it will remain on display through the 150th celebration.

The culmination and heart of our celebration is scheduled for the weekend of April 17- 19, 2026. Rabbi Joel Fleekop will lead engaging Shabbat services on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Both services will provide musical treats featuring Pensacola’s own Cantor Richard Cohn, former Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College. Friday night’s service will be followed by a special oneg, and Saturday morning’s service will be followed by a delightful Kiddush luncheon, both coordinated and prepared by Sydney McAbee. A lovely Gala including Havdalah, dinner and dancing is planned for Saturday evening.

In addition, Rabbi Joel Fleekop, Chuck Kahn, Bill Zimmern and Ray Engel will lead a tour of Temple Beth El’s historic cemetery on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

We have a rich history to celebrate and much to look forward to in the future!

Warmly, Janet & Chuck Kahn and Maria Goldberg

  The Cemetery Committee Needs Your Help!

Sunday, March 22 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Our 150th Anniversary celebration is almost here, so let's give our historic cemetery the care it deserves! Volunteers are needed to help clean the grounds and monuments for one of our best cleanups ever. Many hands make light work!

Contact Terry Gross at 850-449-1762 or Ray Engel at 850-516-3495 for additional information, or to volunteer.

Another Successful Poker Tournament!

Our Temple Poker Tournament was a night to remember! With 84 players filling the tables, the atmosphere was alive with excitement, friendly competition, and community spirit. From the opening deal to the final hand at 1:15 a.m., participants enjoyed delicious food, great company, and thrilling gameplay.

Congratulations to Cindy Gross, our top female finisher, and to Chuck Lisner, who represented us well as the last Jewish man standing at a respectable 10th place! Special thanks Terry Gross and our wonderful volunteers who made the event run smoothly—your dedication truly made the evening special.

The camaraderie and enthusiasm throughout the night showcased what makes our Temple community so great. Whether you're a poker pro or a curious beginner, we hope you'll join us next year for another unforgettable evening of competition, community and fun!

Reminders:

Hamantashen Baking

School for Jewish Living

Sisterhood Book Club

Sip Into Shabbat

Hamantashen, Cocktails and Comedy