Beth El Life
Monthly Bulletin of Temple Beth El Congregation
April 2025 | Nissan - Ayar 5785
| | Friday, April 4 | 6:00 pm | Shabbat Worship & Dinner | Friday, April 11 | 7:00 pm | Shabbat Worship | Friday, April 18 | 7:00 pm | Sip Into Shabbat: Wine & Cheese at 6:15 pm, Worship begins at 7:00 pm | Friday, April 25 | 7:00 pm | Shabbat Worship | | |
Adult Learning Opportunities
Torah Study: Book of Numbers
Saturdays, April 5 and April 19| 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 on April 5 and Matzah Brie will be served on April 19. For more information, contact Rabbi Joel.
Torah on Tap
Tuesday, April 1 | 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: "Ask the Rabbi." Schmoozing starts at 5:00, learning at 5:30. For more information, contact Rabbi Joel.
Learn to Read Hebrew: Adult Beginner Hebrew Class
Sunday, April 20 | 10:15 am
Adult Learn to Read Hebrew, taught by Andrea Fleekop, continues with a session on April 20. The class is free and open to all Temple members. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Andrea Fleekop at andreafleekop@gmail.com.
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Click here to reserve your seat Temple Seder. Space is limited!
Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, April 8
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Mahjong & Mimosas
Sunday, April 6
10:00 am
Join Temple Beth El Sisterhood for a fun morning of Mahjong & Mimosas!
Mahjong play will take place during SJL from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
No experience necessary.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Paula Vienneau.
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Women's Seder
Wednesday, April 16
12:00 pm
Join Temple Beth El Sisterhood for a special Passover Seder led by Andrea Fleekop, featuring rituals and meaningful readings for women.
No charge for paid up Sisterhood members. Guests $25 each.
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Tot Shabbat
Saturday, April 19
9:00 am
Families with children ages 0-6 are invited to join us for Tot Shabbat, featuring a morning of kid-friendly fun featuring Shabbat songs, playtime, snacks, and more!
To RSVP contact Andrea Fleekop.
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Mimouna Celebration & Dinner
Sunday, April 20
6:00 p.m.
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Join us as Temple Beth El embraces the tradition of Mimouna, the exuberant festival celebrated by Moroccan Jews on the evening and day after Passover. Over the years, this cherished celebration has spread across North Africa, to America, where it provides a festive closure to the Passover season, and to Israel, where the Moroccan Jewish community gathers in Jerusalem. The holiday traditionally continues the next day with picnics and outings at beaches, fields, and cemeteries.
Our Mimouna celebration will feature lively music, dancing, and a feast of traditional delicacies including muflita - a delicious pancake-like crepes drizzled with butter and honey, falafel, fresh salads, savory dips, and sweet treats.
All are welcome to join!
For more information, contact Kate Lollar.
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Strengthening Security
at Temple Beth El
Since October 7, 2023, Temple Beth El has engaged a private security company for Friday Shabbat services and Sunday School, with additional off-duty Pensacola Police Department (PPD) officers for major events like the High Holy Days. While our private security provider has served us, recent changes within their company have led to inconsistency in the quality of service.
In response to feedback from our congregation, the Temple Board and our Safety Committee, led by John Macias, have made the decision to enhance our security measures. Moving forward, off-duty PPD officers will be present for all Sunday School sessions, and soon they will also be stationed at Shabbat services on Friday nights. The professionalism and training of PPD officers will ensure a strong and reliable security presence. We appreciate the service provided by Triton
and wish them well, but the safety of our congregation is paramount, and this change is necessary.
This improvement comes with increased costs, but thanks to the leadership of past president Terry Gross, a quiet appeal to those he believed could assist has already secured over $20,000 in pledges. We deeply appreciate those who have stepped up, and we want to extend the opportunity to any congregant who would like to support this effort. If you wish to contribute, you may do so by mailing a check to:
Temple Beth El
800 N Palafox St.
Pensacola, FL 32501
Please note on your check that it is intended for the Temple’s Security Fund.
The safety of our congregation is a shared responsibility, and we are grateful for the generosity and commitment of our community in ensuring a secure and welcoming space for all.
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Record-Breaking Success at Temple Beth El's 2025 Poker Tournament!
Temple Beth El's Annual Poker Tournament was a huge success, setting a new record and raising the bar for excitement and engagement. This year we welcomed participants from across the community, and the competition was fierce. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all participants, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to making this event the most successful poker tournament in TBE history.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year !
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Temple Beth El is pleased to welcome Jessica Jacobson as our new Temple Administrator.
Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jessica relocated the Pensacola area three years ago with her now 18-year-old daughter, AnnaBelle. Jessica brings to Temple Beth El a unique combination of skills, with a background in business, construction, and office management. In addition to spending time with her family, Jessica loves the outdoors, baseball, and travel.
Next time you are at the Temple, please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome Jessica to our Beth El community!
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Temple Beth El's Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on
Sunday, May 4th at 4:00 pm.
All congregants are encouraged to attend in order to stay informed, vote on critical matters, and be part of the decision-making process that shapes the future of our community. Additional details will be coming soon.
We look forward to your presence and participation!
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Join Us in the Fight Against Hunger!
The Social Justice Committee is excited to announce our annual collaboration with Manna Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Last year, this drive resulted in a total of 74,000 pounds of nonperishable food donations for our community. With your help, we can meet or exceed this number!
This year's food drive is taking place on Saturday, May 10.
Look for a bag to be placed in your mailbox, fill it with your generous donations, and simply place it back in your mailbox for pickup. Together, we can help make a difference in the lives of many. To learn more, please reach out to me at debrbuch@icloud.com.
Deborah Buchalter
TBE Social Justice Committee
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We are continuing to host Dessert Onegs following Shabbat Services and are in need of sponsors. 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.
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Temple Beth El Gift Shop
Stop by the Gift Shop to browse our beautiful selection of new Passover books, Seder plates, greeting cards, and more!
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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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.
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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:
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TBE Community Corner: Look what we've been up to!
| | March Sisterhood Luncheon | |
Joel Fleekop, Rabbi
Danny Zimmern, President
Board of Directors:
Danny Zimmern, President
Brenton Goodman Vice President
Carol Rosenblatt, Treasurer
Alice Klein, Secretary
Steve Eilen, Past President
Renee Eilen, Sisterhood Co-President
Paula Vienneau, Sisterhood Co-President
Terry Gross, Brotherhood President
Andrea Fleekop, Director, School for Jewish Living
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Board Members at Large:
Lewis Bear III
Ray Engel
Nichole Friedland
David Goldberg
Janet Kahn
Ryan Greenhut
John Macias
Kim Sullivan
Andrew Rothfedder
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