Our History

  Our History
 

Temple Beth El is the oldest Jewish congregation in Southwest Florida. The dream that became Temple Beth El began in 1954 with 22 Jewish families. Originally, “Temple Beth El-Fort Myers Jewish Community Center” was affiliated with the Conservative Movement. By Chanukah 1955, the congregation held it first Chanukah party in its first building in Fort Myers at Grand and Linhart Avenues.

In 1964, the Rosen brothers, the developers of Cape Coral, donated land in Cape Coral, on Del  Prado, for a new building.  It was perfect timing, since the building in Fort Myers was not large enough to accommodate services.

Temple Beth El’s congregation grew and with the 1991 donation of land on Winkler Avenue, began the construction of the building that houses Temple Beth El today. The building was designed by congregation member, Bruce T. Gora and was ready for High Holy Days 1994. The building’s unique architecture incorporates a sense of spirituality in the sanctuary, an attribute the architect was most proud of.

With Temple Beth El’s long history of leadership in the Jewish community and continuously being the largest synagogue in Lee County, it’s no wonder that the congregation will soon be celebrating its 70^th birthday and the building its 30^th birthday.