Temple Shalom in Port Charlotte, a Reform Jewish congregation, was founded in the early 1960s as the Port Charlotte Jewish Center and dedicated its first building in 1964 in a Star of David design. After a name change and expansion, its current Temple was completed in 1991, and the congregation joined the Union for Reform Judaism in 1993. The temple also hosts the Conservative congregation, Temple Beth El, after Temple Beth El faced declining membership and loss of its own facilities in the early 2020s. 

Key Historical Milestones:

Early 1960s: A group of Jewish families in Port Charlotte formed the Port Charlotte Jewish Center, a Reform congregation, to establish a permanent Jewish home. 

1962: The Articles of Incorporation were adopted, the First High Holy Day Services were held in the county, and the Temple Shalom's Sisterhood was formed. 

1963: The congregation received the deed for the land where Temple Shalom now stands and took out a bond for the construction of a new building designed as a Star of David. 

1964: The Port Charlotte Jewish Center building was dedicated. 

1980: The congregation officially changed its name to Temple Shalom. 

1991: Construction of the current Temple Shalom was completed. 

1993: Temple Shalom joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism). 

2022: Temple Shalom provided a new home for the smaller, North Port-based Temple Beth El after it lost its lease and storefront. 

Temple Beth El's Move:

Early 1970s: The founding families of Temple Beth El, a Conservative congregation originally located in North Port, began to form. 

2022: Facing declining membership and losing its facilities, Temple Beth El began holding its Saturday morning services at Temple Shalom. Temple Beth El's sacred pieces are now housed at Temple Shalom as well.