About Us
Congregation Shalom Aleichem was founded in 1981 in Kissimmee, FL.
Carol, Harry, and David Lowenstein were among the founding members. Harry conducted the services for many years, with David assisting. Several years later they searched for a Torah. One was located in Miami, which was purchased. Carol and Harry also purchased the mantle for everyday and holy days, as well as the rimonim, which were dedicated to their parents. As the Temple grew a Yahrzeit board was needed – the Lowenstein family provided the board and dedicated it to the Weitzenkorn and Lowenstein families, who perished in the Holocaust. Harry is the only survivor of his large family. Click here to learn more about Harry's incredible story.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
The Temple received funds from selling Mah Jongg cards and has used those funds for a donation to the Perlman Food Pantry of Jewish Family Services in Orlando, Salvation Army, and food for the Food Pantry of St. Rose of Lima Church in Kissimmee.
MEMBERSHIP: Click HERE to obtain a membership application.
Contacts:
Temple office:
407-935-0064 - use for all messages, or use the "Contact Us" form
Congregation Shalom Aleichem's mailing address is:
P.O. Box 581367, Kissimmee, FL 34758
The Temple is located at:
3501 Oak Pointe Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL, 34746
Click on names with links for bios:
Spritual Leader:
Board Members:
Marilyn Glaser - President
Peter Simonson - 1st Vice President
Douglas Goodman - 2nd Vice President
Frank Gutworth - Treasurer
Lorie Pearce - Recording Secretary
Directors at Large:
Richard Plass
Larry Shapiro
Betty Schoenberg
Marilyn Uslan
Committees:
Larry Shapiro - Ritual chair
Irene Port - Sunshine
Betty Schoenberg - Oneg Coordinator
Richard Plass - Membership
Sidney Simon - Website
Memorial Holocaust Torah
A Memorial Torah was also obtained for the Temple. Click HERE for additional information about the Memorial Torah.
"Each Memorial Scroll is a memory of the past and a messenger for the future" Memorial Scrolls Trust, London, U.K.
They escaped destruction by the Nazis. They survived Communism. They found their ways to new homes around the world. This is a story of three Torahs that had their roots in vanished Czechoslovakian Jewish communities. Up until World War II, Czechoslovakia had a thriving Jewish population that first reached the area over 1000 years ago. With the rise of Hitler came increased anti-Semitism and eventually the The Final Solution. Throughout Europe, synagogues were burned and the vast majority of Jews were murdered. Almost all Jewish artifacts - Torahs, candlesticks, prayerbooks - were destroyed. The one exception was the Bhoemia and Moravia, with its popluation of 115,000 Jews. This area in Czechoslovakia was declared a "German protectorate." Miraculously, except fo the items in Sudetenland, most of the artifacts remained unscathed during the early years of the war. Click here to read more.
The Memorial Holocaust Torah is maintained by the host organization. Click here to read about a recent repair and view the parade returning it to the arc.
This photo is our Czech Torah being carried during the processional of the Torahs at the 60th Anniversary event in Sarasota, Fl on November 10th, 2024.
Gardens at the Temple
New Garden, in memory of Steve Schoenberg, in front of the building, on Pleasant Hill Road:
New garden, in memory of Mickey Plass, in back of building along parking lot:
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