Adult Learning Opportunities

Torah Study: Book of Numbers

Saturdays, January 4 and January 18| 9:30 am

Join us at Temple Beth El or via Zoom as we continue our study of Bamidbar - The Book of Numbers. 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, January 7 | 5:00 pm

Join us at Odd Colony Brewery (260 N Palafox St) for an adult beverage, lively conversation, and Jewish learning. Our topic will be: "Vows, Resolution and Jewish Tradition." Schmoozing starts at 5:00, learning at 5:30. For more information, contact Rabbi Joel.

Learner's Shabbat

Friday, January 10 | 7:00 pm

This special service will focus on the structure of our Friday night worship and the meaning of core prayers. Explanations will be offered throughout, and many prayers will be offered in English so as to highlight their meaning. A question and answer period will be held following services as part of the oneg reception. 

The congregation is encouraged to invite their friends of all faiths to join them for this special Shabbat. The Learner’s Shabbat is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about Jewish ritual and prayer. For more information on this unique Shabbat experience, please contact Rabbi Joel Fleekop at 850-438-3321 or rabbi@templebethelofpensacola.org.

Learn to Read Hebrew: Adult Beginner Hebrew Class

Sundays, January 12 and January 26 | 10:15 am

Interested in learning the Hebrew alphabet, how to sound out words, and recognize key terms? Join Andrea Fleekop and Temple friends for this special 8-session class. The class will meet Sundays, January 12, January 26, February 9, February 23, March 9, March 30, April 20 and May 4 from 10:15 - 11:15 am.

The class is free and open to all Temple members. Participants are asked to bring a copy of Aleph Isn't Tough by Linda Motzkin (click for Amazon link), index cards, and a writing utensil. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Andrea Fleekop at andreafleekop@gmail.com.

Be sure to follow Temple Beth El on Instagram for event information, updates, teachings from Rabbi Joel, and more!

Click here, or scan the QR code below:

Upcoming Events

Torah on Tap

Tuesday, January 7

5:00 pm

Join us at Odd Colony Brewery (260 N Palafox St) for an adult beverage, lively conversation, and Jewish learning.

Our topic will be: Vows, Resolution and Jewish Tradition 

For more information, contact Rabbi Joel.

Sisterhood Luncheon

Wednesday, January 15

12:00 pm

Join with Sisterhood friends as as our very own Sisterhood member Amy Bodkin discusses her book:

Special Needs Kids are People Too!

Cost of lunch is $20. Click below to RSVP by January 12.

Tot Shabbat

Saturday, January 18

9:00 am

Join us at Temple Beth El

for Tot Shabbat, featuring

Shabbat Songs, Playtime, Snacks and more!

Friends and families of children ages 0 - 6 are welcome.

Click below to RSVP.

Asher Morgenstern Bar Mitzvah

Hi, I’m Asher Morgenstern. I will become a Bar Mitzvah on January 25, 2025. My parents are Cassie and Ari Morgenstern and my little sister is Ella Morgenstern. I’m in 7th grade at Fairhope Middle School and am one of only 20 students in my school in the 99 Club. The club is for students who score in the 99th percentile on national testing. I am on the school archery team and have also played club soccer since I was 3-years-old.

For my Mitzvah Project, I have chosen the Israeli charity, the Oketz Unit Foundation. I built a website to educate and inform people about the work the foundation does to support the IDF’s canine special forces unit and to collect donations. I also have created a Notes of Hope card drive so my guests can create cards of support and hope for the IDF soldiers in my Uncle Eytan’s unit. During my next trip to Israel, I plan on volunteering with the foundation.

Becoming a Bar Mitzvah is meaningful to me because I have prepared so much for it. I am

proud to be Jewish, so becoming a Bar Mitzvah will bring me closer to my family and to HaShem. Please visit my Mitzvah Project website by scanning the QR code below:

Temple Beth El Volunteers Cook Up Hanukkah Joy

by Ray Engel

In a flurry of activity, 31 dedicated Temple Beth El volunteers gathered to perform a remarkable feat: producing over 500 latkes in just under three hours!

These culinary heroes turned teamwork into tradition, tackling the many steps required to create these delicious treats. The preparation process was no small task. Volunteers began with shopping for ingredients before diving into the labor-intensive work of peeling and shredding potatoes and onions. From there, they pressed and squeezed the shredded items to perfection, measured out the remaining ingredients, and mixed everything together. Next came the artful forming and squeezing of the latke mixture before it was finally deep-fried to golden perfection.

Approximately half of these freshly made regular and sweet potato latkes were enjoyed immediately at the Hanukkah Fest, much to the delight of attendees. The other half were carefully frozen, ready to be served at the upcoming Shabbat Hanukkah Worship and Dinner.

For those who love numbers, the cost to produce each latke—excluding the priceless value of volunteer labor—came out to just $0.60. It’s a testament to the dedication and efficiency of our community.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all the volunteers who made this effort such a success. Your hard work and spirit have added a little extra light to this Hanukkah season!

Reminders

Temple Beth El and Pensacola Jewish Federation's First Annual Hanukkah Fest

SJL 7th and 8th Grade Class Shabbat

Sisterhood Hanukkah Party

P.A.R.T.Y. Volunteers

Shabbat Hanukkah

TBE Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House

Mahjong and Mimosas