At Temple Beth Shalom, we believe that our success
emanates from the strength of our Synagogue Family. We strive to
provide the kind of worship services, programs, activities and
relationships that help to reinforce the bond between individual family
members and the Synagogue. In these ways, we reinforce the vibrant
relationship between ourselves, our people, the world-at-large, and
God.
Diversity is the key word of our
congregation, our members come from Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox
backgrounds and we meet in the heart of the "All America" City of
Ocala, Florida. Our "Synagogue Family" extends throughout Marion, Levy,
Alachua, Citrus, Lake and Sumter Counties, as well as Orlando. During
our 30 plus year history, we have successfully responded to the
life-cycle needs of individuals and families who have become involved
in our worship services and religious education programs. We also offer
other cultural and social events and activities - all of which are
designed to provide valuable guidance, support and fellowship.
Temple Beth Shalom is a member of the (URJ)
Union for Reform Judaism, participating in the Southeast Region. We
invite you to visit their informative web site: http://urj.org for
enrichment and resources.
By definition, a synagogue is "a gathering
place for the community." Ours is a house of worship, study and
assembly. It is the nucleus of our cultural, spiritual, and social
awareness and activity.
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Temple Beth Shalom was organized in 1975 with
approximately twenty-five family units and was incorporated on March 2,
1976. Our founding members wanted a traditional service with rabbinical
leadership as the major focal point. To meet these goals, they met in
homes, rented stores, and a warehouse until they purchased a modest
former church. Since acquiring their "home" in 1977, they added a
social hall, kitchen, rabbi's office, temple office and expanded our
sanctuary To better serve our growing membership we doubled the size of
our social hall in 2004. We have the second oldest Jewish cemetery in
the State of Florida.
Over the years many rabbis served Temple
Beth Shalom. Among them were Rabbi Max Weiss, Rabbi Max Selinger, Rabbi
Morrison Bial, Rabbi Herbert Rose and Rabbi Aaron Koplin. Rabbi Bial,
of blessed memory, along with Rabbi Haskell Bernat were our interim
rabbis from 1997 through 2001. Since these exceptional gentlemen were
both into their retirement, we went looking for a resident spiritual
leader who would join our family. Rabbi/Cantor Samuel Dov Berman was
our full-time clergy/spiritual leader from 2001 until 2008. We have
recently welcomed Rabbi Ze'ev Harari to our congregational family.
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Ocala is a rare gem of a city. Richly mounted in the
rolling hills of Marion County - just off Interstate 75 -- you and your
family are bound to fall in love with the dazzling variety of beauty in
Ocala and Central Florida -- just as we did.
View this "Slideshow Tour of Ocala"
narrated by WOCA personalities Robin and The Giant. Ocala is the "Horse
Capital of the World." The pace is a bit slower, the residents polite
and patient; there is an exquisite charm to the area, unique to
Florida. In Marion County you drive down scenic roads, and view rolling
hills, open spaces and expansive horse farms. What a grand place to
choose to live, all the amenities of a city with all the charm and
freshness of the countryside on your doorstep.
You will fall under the spell of this
delightful way of life and decide to stay. Here is your opportunity to
see what being out of the rat race really means. While there is growth,
Ocalans are trying hard to safeguard their rural peace and tranquility.
Please consider relocating as a part-time or permanent resident and
become a valued member of Temple Beth Shalom, ready to take part in all
that it offers. You will have an opportunity to experience everything
that makes Ocala/Marion County great and different.
Congregants have relocated here from all
over the States and Canada for our wonderful, safe way of life. Young
or young at heart, our vibrant mix of housing options, from
single-family homes to 55+ communities, to luxurious ranch and farm
estates means that you have fair-priced options in your choice of
lifestyles. This most beautiful county is ideal for families wanting a
wonderful area to raise children safely, or couples planning for
retirement. Marion County has excellent school systems, both public and
private. You can read more about our great community at Ocala/Marion
County Chamber of Commerce , Ocala Magazine, Ocala.com, Ocala Style
magazine, or The Star-Banner and South Marion Citizen newspapers.
Here you will find one of the largest civic
theaters in the state, as well as the Central Florida Symphony
Orchestra. We have a gem in the Appleton Museum of Art located right
near Silver Springs Amusement Park and Wild Waters. Home to E-One and
Taylor Bean, our county's industry is technology-based, and features
clean industries, plus our world famous horse farms. HeathBrook and On
Top of the World, the Colonnades are both opening up town centers.
Dillards and many other fine restaurants and businesses are looking
forward to calling Marion County, home. Fresh air, blue skies and 3
seasons delight the residents.
Ocala has two new state-of-the-art high
schools, Forest and West Marion, which hosts a school of the arts.
Locally there are state and private colleges. We are within an hour of
the University of Florida, in Gainesville, where there is a chair in
Jewish studies, a Hillel, plus an outstanding library available for
research.
Healthcare and Hospital options are
plentiful and highly rated. From Assisted living communities to nursing
homes, you are assured of quality care. Veteran's can feel secure that
their needs are being met. Regionally there are wonderful centers such
as the Moffat Cancer Institute, with a branch locally. The Mayo Clinic
and Shands Teaching Hospital are close by and maintain excellent
standards of care.
Just a short drive and you can be
experiencing the amenities of the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, Orlando,
Daytona Beach, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, and Gainesville. You
can easily take advantage of many theme parks, theatre, symphony,
museums and sporting events. In St. Petersburg, you will find the
Salvador Dali Museum and a Holocaust Museum.
Join us in expanding our vibrant
Jewish congregation, become part of our future, serve as a link to
future Jewish generations. With your membership and active
participation we will continue to thrive and flourish with excellent
services and programming. We reach out to all of you, Jewish,
Intermarried or those looking for answers in Judaism to come and
involve yourself, as we grow into the future in Ocala/Marion County,
Florida. Contact Ted Schvimmer, 352-854-6446, with any questions at all.
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