History: Introduction

This is where the introduction to the history section would go. All the rest of the text here is as a placeholder until that text is actually written. 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 dignitaries 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.

Please select to continue your journey through our history (links are located on each page):

• Temple Beginnings
• Development
• Expansion
• Renewal
• Turning 50
• 1980's
• A Full-Service Temple
• The Future