Beth El Life

Monthly Bulletin of Temple Beth El Congregation

November 2025 | Cheshvan - Kislev 5786

Make a Donation

Calendar

Donations

Yahrzeits

Birthdays & Anniversaries

November Shabbat Worship

Friday, November 7 \| 6:00 pm	Shabbat Worship & Dinner
Friday, November 14 \| 7:00 pm	Shabbat Worship
Saturday, November 15 \| 10:00 am	Shabbat Morning Worship and Bat Mitzvah of Maren Hobbs
Friday, November 21 \| 6:00 pm	Shabbat Under the Stars Worship and Dinner, Naval Live Oaks
Friday, November 28 \| 7:00 pm	Shabbat Worship

Adult Learning Opportunities

Torah Study: Book of Deuteronomy

Saturdays, November 1 and 8 | 9:30 am | Temple Beth El and Zoom

Join us as we begin 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.

Introduction to Judaism

Wednesdays, November 5 and 19 | 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 thru March 4. For more information or to RSVP contact Rabbi Joel .

Adult B’nai Mitzvah

We are excited to announce the start of a new Adult B’nai Mitzvah cohort this fall! The program will include an exploration of Jewish text and approaches to Torah study, as well as learning to lead prayers and chant from the Torah. The group will celebrate the completion of their studies with a special B’nai Mitzvah service on Saturday, May 23. The Adult B’nai Mitzvah is open to adult Temple members. For more info, please contact Rabbi Joel.

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.

Torah on Tap

Tuesday, November 4

5:00 pm

Enjoy friendship, libations and learning in the Sukkah, where this month's topic will be:

"Is Organ Donation Kosher?"

Schmoozing starts at 5:00 pm, and learning will begin at 5:30.

For more information, contact Rabbi Joel.

Facing the Wind

Wednesday, November 5

5:00 pm

Join Coastal Estate Planning and Elder Law at Temple Beth El for a free premier screening of Facing the Wind, a film about love, life and dementia.

Seating is limited. For more information and to RSVP, contact Kim Sullivan at 850-434-7276, or click below.

More Information

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Sunday, November 23 5:30 p.m.

Join with friends from Pensacola’s Historic Downtown Congregations for our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

This year’s service will be hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola.

The service begins at 5:30pm and is followed by a dessert reception.

Maren Hobbs Bat Mitzvah

Maren Hobbs will become Bat Mitzvah on November 15, 2025. She has been waiting for this moment, and we hope you will attend to share in her joy when she joins the Jewish community as a “daughter of the commandments.”

Maren is an 8th grader at Gulf Breeze Middle School where she is active in National Junior Honor Society, plays the alto saxophone in the Cool Breeze Jazz Band, and plays bassoon in the Symphonic Band. In addition, she was selected to play bassoon in the Pensacola Symphony Youth Orchestra, which features 49 students in grades 7-12 and is in its inaugural year, and is a member of the Temple Beth El Youth Ensemble. She enjoys volunteering at the Miracle League of Santa Rosa County, for the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and in the band room after school on Thursdays. She also enjoys food and sleep.

For her tzedakah project, Maren is collecting donations for the Escambia County Animal Shelter where she was rescued in January 2022 by her beloved pitbull mix Sadie. The animal shelter is in need of fleece blankets, flat sheets, dog and cat toys, leashes, collars, towels (new and gently used), paper towels, bleach, and canned kitten and puppy food. Or, you can donate your time as volunteer to help socialize dogs, assist with cleaning and caring for the animals, volunteer at adoption events, and create toys for enrichment programs. Children ages 12-15 can volunteer at the shelter under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Youth ages 15-17 can volunteer without the supervision of an adult if approved by the shelter. Fosters are always needed.

Maren’s choice to become Bat Mitzvah reflects her love for Judaism, her Temple Beth El family, and the larger Jewish community. Maren has developed deeply meaningful relationships with so many of you who have helped shape her idea of what it means to be a Jew, especially the sisterhood of Jewish girls and women who have embraced her. We look forward to celebrating with you.

Click to RSVP by November 11

Temple Beth El Goes Camping

at Naval Live Oaks

Friday, November 21 - Sunday, November 23

Temple Beth El is going camping and the entire community is invited!! Join us for two nights at the beautiful Naval Live Oaks Group Site as we share a relaxing Shabbat. There will be programs, games, bonfires, delicious food, and lots of fun for participants of all ages. The cost for the weekend, including breakfasts. lunch, and dinners is only $36 per family. Click below to register.

Don’t camp? You can still share in the fun by joining us for Shabbat worship, Friday night dinner, and other activities. The suggested donation for Friday night dinner is $18 per family. For more information, please contact Rabbi Joel.

Whether planning to camp or join us for worship and dinner Friday night, please register below:

Click Here to Register

Chai Discussion

Friday, November 21 | 12:00 pm

Join Pensacola Jewish Federation for November's Chai Discussion at Temple Beth El. Bring a bag lunch and a friend!

Hosted by Terry Gross and Steve Nissim.

For more information, contact Cindy Gross.

Temple Beth El is busy preparing to observe our 150th Anniversary!

Events have been planned, beginning with a special Sisterhood meeting and a Symphony Shabbat in January, culminating with a weekend of observance and celebration April 17-19, 2026.

This weekend will include a program of music through the years, featuring Cantor Richard Cohn, formerly director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of the Hebrew Union College. Also planned is a display of historical items and artwork, first at the Pensacola Museum of Art and then at Temple for the big weekend. Of course, delicious food will be part of the celebration with the Oneg Shabbat after Friday services, and a Kiddush Luncheon after Saturday services. A high point of the weekend will be a Gala Dinner and Dance on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Pensacola Yacht Club, complete with a wonderful show band.

Many members and friends have expressed a desire to be part of the celebration by making a contribution. We hope you will consider participating in this way. Funds raised will go toward expenses of the celebration, as well as to our very important Temple Endowment. Any contribution is appreciated and will be recognized in the program for the 150th Anniversary. Gifts of $5000 and above will be recognized on a plaque displayed permanently in the Temple. The deadline for fulfillment of your pledge is January 15, 2026.

Be part of our history and help ensure Temple Beth El’s future by joining others in sponsoring this unique and exciting commemoration. Thank you for your consideration and generosity.

Very Sincerely,

Janet Kahn and Terry Gross

Click Here to Donate

Dessert Oneg Hosts Needed!

We have returned to hosting Dessert Onegs following Shabbat Services. 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, click below or contact Sydney McAbee.

Click Here to Host a Dessert Oneg

Reminders:

Temple Beth El Gift Shop

Stop by the Gift Shop to browse our beautiful selection of gifts, jewelry, greeting cards and more!

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 2:00 pm

A Message from the Mitzvah Caring Committee

Temple Beth El's Mitzvah Caring Committee continues its important work of supporting those in our community who need assistance. Whether it's providing a home-cooked meal, making a friendly visit, or offering a compassionate phone call to someone who is ill, experiencing depression, or grieving a loss, our team stands ready to help.

If you know of anyone in our congregation who could benefit from these services, or if you would like to join this meaningful committee, please contact Rabbi Joel, Kym Lewis or Elaine Storms.

A Message from the Cemetery Committee

While it can be difficult to think about the end of our lives, it is an act of kindness to our loved ones to preplan our final arrangements. The Temple Beth El Cemetery offers the pre-purchase of Perpetual Care Agreements to Temple members for $3,000.

For more information, please contact Ray Engel at 850-516-3495.