Our History
Temple Shalom History 1961 – 2019
 

 

1961
  • The idea of a Port Charlotte congregation is born
 
  • Group begins to meet at the home of Allen and Judy Levin
 
  • General Development Corporation makes Scout House at Olean and Conway Blvd. available.
 
  • Articles of Incorporation are adopted for Port Charlotte Jewish community Group, Inc.
 
  • Charter from the State of Florida is received
1962
  • First Presbyterian Church offers venue for religious services and meetings
 
  • Constitution and By-Lawsare adopted
 
  • First Purim Party at the Port Charlotte Community Center
 
  • General Development Corporation donates 4.75 acres of land
 
  • First High Holy Day Services in Charlotte County
 
  • Temple Shalom's Sisterhood is formed
1963
  • Deed to the land where Temple now stands is received
 
  • $25,000 Bond issued to pay for construction of building in the shape of a Star of David
 
  • President Abe Golden pledges personal assets for a mortgage
 
  • Ground broken with Rabbi Joseph Liberles of Temple Beth Ell officiating and Reverend Henry Stout, Pastor of First Presbyterian church giving the benediction
 
  • Building designed by Ray Griffith, Architect
 
  • George Wright, Contractor, working at cost
 
  • First Sabbath Services in new building
 
  • First High Holy Days Services in new building
1964
  • Dedication of The Port Charlotte Jewish Center
1964-1974
  • Mortgage paid off.
 
  • Bonds redeemed.
 
  • Men's Club is formed,
 
  • Hebrew School begins under the tutelage of Mitchell Goldsmith and Jules Taylor
1973
  • The "Shalom" (monthly bulletin) was born, Harry Friedman, Editor
1974
  • First Youth Group Service
 
  • November 29, 1974 Temple's first Bat Mitzvah - Joy Tehrani
1975
  • Charter from the Union of American Hebrew congregations was received
 
  • First full-time religious leader, Cantor Simcha Ben Gail
 
  • May 23, 1975 Temple's first Bar Mitzvah - David Levin
 
  • In October the Children's Hebrew School started
 
  • Sisterhood's Judaica Gift Shop
 
  • First Memorial Tablet was installed

1976
  • The name "Temple Shalom" was adopted
1977
  • Storage and conference room/class room was completed (Now the Rabbi's office)
1978
  • Construction of new Sanctuary began
 
  • First High Holy Day Services in the new Sanctuary, Rabbi Lewis E Bogage officiating
1979
  • Cantor Samuel Kligfeld becomes new religious leader
 
  • Hebrew and Sunday school starts under Robert Burke
 
  • A library was established
1982
  • The kitchen was expanded
 
  • Entry was redesigned
 
  • New Ark and Bima were completed
1983
  • First B'Nai Mitzvah Class
 
  • Original Tree of Life was installed
 
  • Sunday Night Study Group was formed
 
  • Chavurah and Saturday Morning Sabbath Services began
1984
  • First woman president was installed
 
  • Blood Bank was instituted
 
  • Monthly Family Night Service began
1986
  • Rabbi Lewis E. Bogage assumed pulpit responsibilities.
1986-1987
  • The new building was constructed under the guidance of Phillip and Lucille Kallenberg.
2003
  • Rabbi Solomon Agin D.D. started as rabbi in Temple Shalom.
 
  • The Katz family underwrote expenses for renovations in our sanctuary
2004
  • We were visited by Hurricane Charley, which necessitated extensive repairs to our building
2005-2009
  • Major remodeling of bathrooms
2010-2012
  • Harry Kramer Memorial Fund Grant -security system, fortified doors, hurricane improvements, cameras, exterior lighting
  • Harry Kramer Memorial Fund Grant- Asbestos removal, office improvements, mold mitigation, storage of sacred texts
  • Harry Kramer Memorial Fund Grant- Shabbat T'ilah, art projects for adults and youth, music specialist, kiddush lunches
2017
  • New tree of life plaques installed
2019
  • New memorial tables are being installed





23190 Utica Avenue Port Charlotte Florida 33980

941-625-2116

Affiliated with Union for Reform Judaism