OUR STORY!

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Temple Beth David is a vital, active Reform congregation that works ceaselessly to fulfill its goal of being a focal point of Jewish identity in Hernando County and the neighboring counties in Florida.

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We are a welcoming presence for Jews from all traditions - Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Renewal and Orthodox - Jews by choice as well as interfaith families – indeed to all who come to worship with an open heart – providing Reform religious services, educating our young about Jewish traditions and liberal Jewish values with a firm commitment to the Reform belief of Tikkun Olam – improving and redeeming the world.

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The roots of Temple Beth David were established in 1972 by a small group of Jews who lived in Hernando County, a small, rural county, with a population at that time of about 20,000, located about 40 miles north of Tampa.

 

Feeling the need to be connected to the Jewish community in a predominately non-Jewish area, they established a Jewish Social Club and met informally at the Senior Citizens Center and in the homes of members. Eventually the group incorporated as the Jewish Community Center of Hernando County. Still a social group, they wanted and needed religious services. This desire lead to holding Shabbat services one Friday a month. By 1980, a lay service leader was chosen. As the group grew, so did the desire for a permanent building and the desire to become a Temple oriented people.

 

After years of paper drives, bake sales and other fundraisers, an all-purpose building was constructed at our present site in 1986 and the Congregation was named Temple Beth David Jewish Center. By 1991, Temple Beth David was able to hire a part-time Rabbi. As the Congregation membership and programming grew, the need for a building expansion became apparent. The beautiful Forbes Family Sanctuary and additional office and meeting rooms were added and dedicated in 1998.

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Now firmly rooted in Hernando County, Temple Beth David looks forward to an ever brighter future.

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