How it all began in North Port …

In the early ’70’s, a number of Jewish families from the colder, northern regions would come to Warm Mineral Springs in the North Port area to spend the winter season. Soon, some of them began to stay in this welcoming climate year-around. These people became the founding families of our congregation. The brother of one of one of the visitors died and he gathered a group of men to say Kaddish. This led the founders to begin to build a home for the congregation.

As time passed, the founders decided to follow the practices of the Conservative movement and adopt the name Temple Beth El. They built our first home on Biscayne Drive which served us for many years. Our small, but dedicated congregation, became active, observing Shabbat, holy days and festivals throughout the year.

Supplementing religious observances, the congregation developed an active sisterhood and held regular programs, including a very popular Sunday brunch. Led by the Cantor Lyle Rockler, Temple Beth El continued to thrive until his death in 2015. The congregation then engaged a part-time cantor to lead it. However, as time wore on, the building became a burden. Upkeep, repairs and maintenance became too great to sustain. The decision was made to sell the building.

Temple Beth El continued on, finding a new home on Tamiami Trail where services and programs took place without interruption.  As the congregation’s membership changed, a greater proportion of the people again became snowbirds, leading to our operation becoming seasonal.

Temple Beth El entered into its third phase in 2022. Challenged by the cost of maintaining a separate facility and by the need to protect the membership from the ravages of Covid-19, we entered into a new relationship with Temple Shalom, a Reform congregation in Port Charlotte. We now operate as a congregation within a congregation at the temple in Port Charlotte.

Our Jewish center prides itself on being warm, welcoming, inclusive egalitarian, nurturing and supportive. Congregants come from all parts of the world and have various backgrounds.

The active new residents of South Sarasota and North Charlotte counties find Temple Beth El North Port Jewish Center in Port Charlotte an affordable and friendly congregation that values the experience that each person brings. The synergy of new residents and existing members will carry the founders’ dreams for the temple well onto the 21st Century.