Beth El Life

Monthly Bulletin of Temple Beth El Congregation

December 2023 | Kislev - Tevet 5784

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Calendar

of Events

November

Donations

December

Yahrzeits

Birthdays & Anniversaries

December Shabbat Worship

Friday December 1, 4:00 pm	Kabbalat Shabbat at Azalea Trace
Friday December 1, 6:00 pm	Shabbat Worship and Dinner
Friday December 8, 6:00 pm	Shabbat Hanukkah Worship and Latke Dinner
Friday, December 15, 7:00 pm	Shabbat Worship
Friday December 22, 6:15 pm	Sip into Shabbat - Wine & Cheese at 6:15 pm, Worship begins at 7:00 pm
Friday December 29, 7:00 pm	Shabbat Worship

Learning Opportunities

Torah Study - Leviticus: Striving for Holiness | Saturday December 2 and Saturday December 16, 9:30 am

Join us at Temple Beth El or via Zoom as we continue our study of Leviticus. We will explore the text with the help of both rabbinic and modern commentaries. Learners of all levels and experience are welcome. Bagels and schmear will be served. For more information contact Rabbi Joel.

Torah on Tap | Tuesday December 5, 5:00 pm

Join us at Odd Colony Brewery (260 N Palafox St) as we discuss this month's topic: Hanukkah: What Miracle Should We Be Celebrating?

Introduction to Judaism |Wednesday December 13, 6:30 pm

Want to know more about Judaism? Thinking about conversion? Not sure how to answer your children's questions about Jewish holidays? Join us at Temple Beth El as we explore Jewish belief, sacred text, Jewish holidays, lifecycle events and important historical events.

A Message from the President

As we look forward to Hanukkah and the New Year, I am writing to thank our Temple leadership for their efforts in guiding our congregation during what has been a particularly challenging time. Our wonderful members who volunteer in leadership continue to show care and commitment to addressing issues that are often complicated.

Our Safety Committee has met several times and works very hard to ensure the safety of all who visit our Temple campus. Our Ritual Committee, in partnership with Rabbi Fleekop, has launched “Sip Into Shabbat” a community-forward Shabbat experience that includes great music and pre-service wine & refreshments. The first two Sip-Into Shabbats were a great success and we look forward to containing this program monthly on the third Friday of the month. And finally, our Finance Committee has met, emailed, and conference called often to study and plan how our Congregation can meet the financial challenges of presents.

As I know you have experienced at home, the cost to maintain our building and programming has increased significantly. Plans are moving forward to work towards increasing support to keep up with these expenses. We all love Temple Beth El, and I want to thank all of you for making TBE fantastic. As times change so will our practices. Our leadership is working diligently to ensure continued growth through responsible action.

As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have any questions please feel free to reach me at my email: Dannyzuf@aol.com, or you may text or call me on my cell: 850-232-1944.

Upcoming Events

It's Latke Making Time again!

While making hundreds of latkes is a huge order, with a good team of volunteers we can get it done. If you are able to help peel, dice, food process, squeeze, measure, mix, form, or fry -- we could use your help! Food processors are also needed.

Sunday, December 3 | 8:00 - 11:00 am

Temple Beth El

To RSVP, even for a limited time, please contact Ray Engel at 850-516-3495 or via email.

Let's Talk: Caring for Ourselves and Our Children

In the wake of events in Israel and the uptick in antisemitism, Temple Beth El parents are invited to an important conversation facilitated by mental health professionals Jeanne Boyle and Jennifer Elzweig, as well as SJL Director Andrea Fleekop.

Sunday, December 3 | 10:00-11:00 am Temple Beth El

Together we will talk about navigating our emotions and parenting strategies during this challenging time.

Torah on Tap

Tuesday, December 5 | 5:00 pm

Enjoy an adult beverage, lively conversation and Jewish learning at Odd Colony Brewery (click for directions).

This month's topic will be Hanukkah: What Miracle Should We Be Celebrating?

Schmoozing starts at 5:00 pm, and learning will begin at 5:30. For more information, contact Rabbi Joel.

Eight Kegs of Hanukkah

Thursday, December 7 | 5:30 pm

The Pensacola Jewish Federation invites you to bring your family, your friends

and your Hanukkiah to light up the night!

Gary's Biergarten |3403 Gulf Beach Hwy

For more information, click below or contact Cindy Gross.

More Info

Shabbat Hanukkah Worship and Dinner

Friday, December 8 | 6:00 pm

Grab your family and favorite hanukkiah and join us in the sanctuary for a very special, music-filled Hanukkah Shabbat service featuring participation by students from the School for Jewish Living.

Following worship, the fun continues in the Max L. Bear auditorium with dreidel, music, and a Hanukkah themed potluck featuring latkes and sufganiyot!

Temple Beth El's Brotherhood will be cooking up delicious latkes, and a chicken entrée will be provided by Sisterhood. Please bring a salad, side, or dessert to share.

A Night to Honor Israel

Tuesday, December 12

7:00 - 9:00pm

Join Temple Beth El's Rabbi Joel Fleekop and shlicha Mia Slonimski as the local Faith Community presents: A Night to Honor Israel, a special program to show community support and stand together against antisemitism.

Doors open at 6:00pm, and the program will be held from 7:00 - 9:00pm.

Highpoint Church

1155 Gulf Breeze Pkwy

Sisterhood Luncheon

Wednesday, December 20

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Join us at Temple Beth El for our December Luncheon, featuring a Sisterhood Potluck and Clothing Drive.

Click below for more information, and to

RSVP by December 17.

More Info

RSVP

Temple Beth El Brotherhood

Community Cookout

Friday, December 22

Join us on Palafox Street as Temple Beth El Brotherhood and our neighbors at Gross and Schuster provide warm meals during our annual Community Cookout.

Volunteers are needed beginning at 9 a.m. For more information or to volunteer please contact Terry Gross.

Chinese Food & Movie

Sunday, December 24

6:30 pm

The tradition continues as we join together on Christmas Eve at Temple Beth El for Chinese food and a movie!

This year’s movie is Are You There God? It's me, Margaret. An adaptation of the beloved Judy Blume novel, the film, with warmth and humor, explores themes of family, identity, and transitioning to adolescence.

A child-friendly film will be shown in the youth room.

Dinner begins at 6:30 pm with movies starting at 7:00 pm. The cost for dinner is $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under.

RSVP to Chuck Lisner at 850-380-5585 or via email.

Christmas Brunch for Ronald McDonald House

Monday, December 25

8:00 am

Join Pensacola Jewish Federation and friends from across the Jewish community as we come together to make Christmas morning special for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House.

Our team of volunteers will help prepare a special holiday brunch and assist with household chores.

RSVP to Cindy Gross at 850-449-2409 or via email.

Holiday Angel Tree for Brentwood Elementary School Families

The Temple Beth El's Social Justice Team needs your help to make this holiday season special for the children at Brentwood Elementary!

Together we are working to provide items, identified by each child on a “wish list,” which they will receive as presents. Wish list items include essentials like clothes and shoes, as well as a few special toys. Whether shopping in person or online, the Angel Tree is a perfect opportunity to engage your own children in the mitzvah of giving to others.

Prefer someone else do the shopping? Sponsor a child financially and allow our team of volunteers to take care of the rest. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Sharon Marcus at 850-291-3373 or via email .

Let’s all be a mensch and make this a special holiday for the families in need at Brentwood Elementary!

Cold Weather Clothes Drive

Help support Sisterhood's Cold Weather Clothes Drive by bringing new or used coats, gloves, hats, winter scarves, sweaters, and other warm garments to Temple Beth El. A donation box is set up in the lobby. Donations of new underwear and socks are also greatly appreciated.

For more information contact Missy Hecht .

Sponsoring an Oneg is a wonderful opportunity to honor someone's memory on their yahrzeit, celebrate an anniversary or birthday, thank someone special, or observe a special occasion that has meaning to you. No planning experience is required!

To sign up/inquire about available dates, contact Sydney McAbee.