- December 20, 2024
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Temple Beth Shalom Rabbi Rose Eberle holds up the "Shamash Award" give to the temple by the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Alex Maller, chair of the 50th anniversary committee, Carol Maller, chair of the celebration at Pine Lakes Golf Club, Temple Beth Shalom President Robert Arkin and Publicity Chair Marylynne Newmark. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin applauds Temple Beth Shalom on its 50h anniversary. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin reads the city's proclamation honoring Temple Beth Shalom on its 50th anniversary. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Jane Alexander has lived in Palm Coast since 1980, the year the Temple Beth Shalom congregation held their first Shabbat service in "the little shul in the woods." Photo by Brent Woronoff
Margaret Oettinger and Linda Goldman participated in Temple Beth Shalom's 50 anniversary celebration. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and his wife, Debbie, attended Temple Beth Shalom's 50th anniversary celebration Oct. 29 at Pine Lake Golf Club. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Temple Beth Shalom Rabbi Rose Eberle delivered a blessing before the event. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Carol Maller, the chairperson of the 50th anniversary celebration, welcomed the celebrants. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Rabbi Rob Lennick, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, told the gathering that in times of sorrow "we are obligated to celebrate the simchas (festive occasions)." Photo by Brent Woronoff
Margaret Oettinger has been a member of Temple Beth Shalom of Palm Coast for 36 years.
“There was only one traffic light in town then,” she said. “It was at Old Kings Road and Palm Coast Parkway.”
Jane Alexander moved to Palm Coast with her husband in 1980, when Temple Beth Shalom held its first service at what came to be known as its “little shul (synagogue) in the woods.”
Oettinger and Alexander were among the 80-plus celebrants at the temple’s 50th anniversary celebration Sunday, Oct. 29 at Pine Lakes Golf Club.
In 1973, there were about 18 Jewish families living in the newly-built C Section. According to the temple’s archives, compiled by publicity chairperson Marylynne Newmark, Dave and Anita Barber held an open house at their home for the Jewish newcomers. While munching on an appetizer, someone said, ‘Hey… we have a minyan (at least 10 men needed to hold a service) … we can start a shul!’”
Fourteen families formed the original congregation, according to a July 15, 1973 article in the Palm Coast News. They named their congregation Temple Beth Shalom, which means “house of peace” in Hebrew.
The congregants held their first Friday night service at ITT’s Welcome Center. They outgrew the Welcome Center and then a model home and then the dining room at the original Yacht Club and began looking for a home of their own. They purchased a 3-acre parcel on Wellington Drive in 1978.
Construction of the new synagogue was completed two years later. On March 14, 1980, 110 people attended the first Shabbat service at the temple.
The golden jubilee weekend began on Friday, Oct. 27 with a Shabbaton, a celebration of the Sabbath that included prayer, learning, guest rabbis and music, and ended with the celebration and dinner on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Robert Arkin, Temple Beth Shalom’s president, spoke at Sunday’s celebration. He said it wasn’t crazy that a few families living in the woods decided to establish a synagogue.
“Fourteen Jewish families became a community,” he said. “It was not wishful thinking. They weren’t doing anything different than their families had done over the centuries. Their love of Judaism and belief in Torah were etched in their hearts. Today, the Temple Beth Shalom family continues to be one in peace and humanity.”
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin read a city proclamation designating Oct. 27 in honor of Temple Beth Shalom’s 50th anniversary.
Rabbi Rob Lennick, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, presented Temple Beth Shalom Rabbi Rose Eberle with a “Shamash Award.” Shamash means servant in Hebrew.
Lennick said the federation “wishes blessings for the future” for the little shul in the woods.
