History: A Full-Service Temple

The final decade of the 20th century heralded the multimedia era in Sarasota when the first TV channel, SNN, went on the air. As an example of the ethnic acculturation process, MOSATC, a celebration of the Jewish experience in Florida, was organized and co-sponsored locally by the Sarasota Manatee JCC and the Jewish Federation. The exhibit became part of the commemoration of the Christopher Columbus quincentenary in 1992. With the creation of the history of the Jews in Florida recorded for the first time plus local TV coverage, Sarasota and Temple Beth Sholom began to experience more visibility, viability and vitality.

The 1990's brought many changes to Temple Beth Sholom and to the Temple leadership. With the formal dedication of a Men's Club Holocaust Memorial Garden in October 1993, the entrance to our building was enhanced. Mayor Gene Pillot and other invited dignitarie s attended as the celebration was extended to the community. Joni Mandel became our new Executive Director in 1992. The membership of the Temple numbered 630 families in 1994 under the leadership of Co-Presidents Marty Sonnenfeld and Neil Malamud. During the following year, Rabbi Joel Mishkin became our spiritual leader, and Diane Nathanson was voted in as a member of the Cantors Assembly, and subsequently was invested as Hazzan.

In September 1996, a Family Education Program was instituted as part of our Religious School curriculum. Parents became involved with the programs at the Temple more than ever before. Another first, this time furnished by the Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood, was the dedication of a new Sefer Torah. On Simchat Torah, October 6, 1996, a marriage of our new Torah to the old was performed by Rabbi Mishkin. The 70th Anniversary of the first Jewish religious service held in Sarasota was celebrated during the weekend of December 5th to 6th, 1996, with a gala dinner dance and silent auction. This successful event was chaired by Sandra Malamud and Susan Samson, assisted by more than 50 volunteers.

Temple Beth Sholom was now on its way to actualize its potential. The Temple office was computerized and became an even busier beehive of activity. The Temple became a full service Conservative congregation with a

kosher kitchen that had a catering component as a major project, an active and growing Adult Education Program and the Martin and Mildred Paver Religious School with Michelle Jenkins as our Director of Education.

In 1998, the Temple leadership decided to expand its already existing day school to encompass elementary and middle school grades K to 8th. This expansion was given a great start through a one million dollar gift by congregant Goldie Feldman, followed by a Capital Campaign, The Director of the Justin Lee Wiesner Early Childhood Learning Center and Goldie Feldman Academy is Kavita Vasil, beginning her tenure in 1994.