Temple Shalom is a Reform Jewish Congregation serving Central Florida between Orlando and Ocala, next to The Villages.

Celebrate your Simcha...
purchase a leaf on the Tree of Life!

You can reserve your leaf and its position on the Tree by calling Renee Braun (751-6883) or by visiting the Temple and picking up an order form (they are available in the lobby). Renee is in the office on Friday afternoons and will be glad to assist you. You may fill out the form and leave it in the drawer (by the mailboxes) labeled "Tree of Life."

Please DO NOT attach anything to the tree itself – the leaf you see on the tree is the one that is to be engraved, and Scotch Tape® can damage the finish (yes, it has happened!). Reserve the leaf you want through Renee Braun.

Thank you for your support.

The Arts Committee

Temple Shalom Op-Ed Pieces

The American Jewish Committee's 2006 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion (click for complete report) reports on attitudes and opinions that reflect changes in the viewpoints of American Jews. Surveyed issues and opinions include International Affairs, Israel, National Affairs, Anti-Semitism and Jewish Identity.

In answer to the question, "Do you think that anti-Semitism in the United States is currently a very serious problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem at all, fully 91% of American Jews surveyed see it as a problem: 26% Very Serious; 65% Somewhat.

Accordingly, Temple Shalom's Board of Directors will allow articles and op-ed pieces on issues that impact the Jewish people to be distributed by the Temple via email and its website. A committee comprised of Larry W, Elaine D, Marvin J, Gerry P and Ed Z review submissions and approve them for posting.

If you would like to submit an op-ed piece, please email it to Ed Ziegler for consideration.

Click Here to See Op-Eds

Yahrzeit is the anniversary of a loved one's death. It is commemorated each year by lighting a Yahrzeit candle (or using an electric memorial lamp) and reciting the Mourner's Kaddish prayer with the loved one's name at the Shabbat Service immediately following the loved one's date of death.

Because we conduct Shabbat Services every week, we need your loved one's Yahrzeit notice as far in advance as possible. To properly honor our loved ones, the list read at Shabbat Services will include the names of ONLY the following week's Yahrzeits.

In order to implement timely Yahrzeit memorials, the Temple must have (as soon as possible) the exact date of the Yahrzeits you wish to have read. Some members want the English date commemorated, and others want to be informed of the date on the Jewish calendar. We can favor both of these requests, however, only if you advise the Temple with complete information as shown here:

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

1. Name of Loved One:
2. Relationship of Loved One:
3. Date of Death:
4. Specify: "Use English Date" or "Use Jewish Date"
5. Name of Member:
6. Phone Number of Member:

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

To provide us with this information, click here to open a new email to Larry Wallace, president. You may add as many individual's Yahrzeit information as you like in one email message.

If we have any questions about your submission, we will contact you.

NJC Bingo is held every Wednesday at Temple Shalom. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION AND WINNINGS.

- 26 games -
- Three $250 Jackpots -

Cantor Harold Orbach Temple Shalom's 1st "Cantor in Residence" Friday, May 8, 2008

Cantor Harold Orbach appeared as Temple Shalom's 1st Cantorial Scholar in Residence. Cantor Orbach is one of the most well-known and acclaimed voices in all of Judaism today. 

Harold Orbach was born March 31, 1931, in Dusseldorf, Germany. He immigrated to America in 1940 after being smuggled out of Germany via the Kindertransport to England. His concert career began with a performance at New York’s Town Hall at age 18. He served his first congregation as a cantor when he was only fifteen prior to the establishment of any school that trained cantors in this country.

The cantor at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan (2nd largest Temple in North America) for 41 years, Orbach graduated from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s School of Sacred Music where he also received an honorary doctorate degree. Orbach was a winner of the Katherine Long Scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music and earned a Masters’ degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was president of the American Conference of Cantors and received the Metropolitan Detroit’s 2001 Maas Foundation prize for Achievement in Jewish Culture and Continuity. His voice appears on fourteen recordings and has been used as background for films. He was awarded the State of Israel Culture Medal by the late Prime Minister Golda Meir.

"Israel at 60" Israel Independence Day Temple Celebration May 8, 2008

The program featured one of the finest cantors in America, Harold Orbach. 

Cantor Harold Orbach performed "A Salute to Israel on it's 60th Anniversary."  He has performed this program in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and now at The Villages.  An Israeli slide show and Israeli music and dancing added to the evening. A "Taste of Israel" with Israeli foods helped fill the body as well as the spirit. Thanks to Sandy Solomon for managing the arrangements.

Temple Shalom Celebrates
2008 Passover Seder
as reported in

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO
OF FEATURED SCHOLAR

TO SEE PHOTOS OF SOBEL EVENTS,
CLICK HERE.