Jewish Community To Celebrate 50 Years in Spring Hill

By MARLENE SHAW

In 1974, as the new community of Spring Hill was developing, a small group of Jews who recently relocated to Hernando County incorporated as the Jewish Community Center of Hernando County. Though primarily a social group at that time, they wanted and needed religious services and began meeting for Sabbath services once a month at the Senior Citizens’ Center neighboring churches and members’ homes.

As the years progressed and membership grew, an all-purpose building was constructed on the present site in 1986 and the congregation was named Temple Beth David Jewish Center. By 1991, the Congregation was able to hire a part-time Rabbi. As membership increased, programming and religious services did as well. A full time Rabbi was hired and the need for a building expansion became evident. The Forbes Family Sanctuary, lobby, office, several meeting/library, classrooms and a Rabbi’s study were added and dedicated in 1998.

Temple Beth David, from its earliest days, has always enjoyed a comfortable and active relationship with its predominately non-Jewish neighbors. Its leaders helped form the now-defunct Hernando County Brotherhood Sisterhood Association, an interfaith organization working to bring together people from many different racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. Our members were also instrumental in the founding of People Helping People, a non-denominational organization which works to combat hunger and homelessness in Hernando County. A team from TBD continues to work on its Weekend Blessings program until today and many of our members are or have been active Board members. The Temple is a member of the Chamber of Commerce as well.

On June 15, from 5-9 p.m. the Congregation will celebrate 50 years of Jewish life in Hernando County with a Gala evening of dining, dancing and fun at Wellington Clubhouse. Several families will be honored for their long-time contributions to the Temple. We invite everyone in the community to celebrate with us. To reserve tickets, go to www.tbdfl.org/events by June 5. Sponsorships and congratulatory ads may be purchased. For more information email [email protected].