Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Temple L'Chayim, a Reform/Conservative congregation, conducting traditional services in Clermont, Florida, since it was first organized in early 2014, announces the grand opening of their new location within the Clermont City Center as of January 2015. Led by Cantor Isaac Kriger and Rabbi Howard Schwartz, Temple L'Chayim is the only Jewish synagogue with both a rabbi and a cantor in Lake County, Florida. The two clergy provide a very special blend for the spirituality and musical enhancement of the services. Temple L'Chayim was founded this past year by Nathan Axel and Jay Forman, residents of Kings Ridge.

The Temple L'Chayim Sisterhood, led by Judi Axel and Sandee Kosner with assistance from Dan Temkin, will start the evening with a traditional Jewish Sabbath dinner, starting at 6 p.m. Those who are interested can reserve a seat for only $10 by calling 352-242-6135.

The abbreviated Friday night Shabbat service will begin at 7 p.m. Cantor Isaac Kriger and Rabbi Schwartz will perform the ceremony in honor of this special grand re-opening celebration to help open this new facility. This opening Shabbat service is free and open to the entire community of any faith or belief.

Rabbi Schwartz notes, "Our synagogue's first reading of the Torah on this Sabbath Sh'mot includes the first five chapters of the Book of Exodus, a signal that Passover/Pesach is just ahead when spring arrives. The thoughts of spring can give us all an optimistic outlook for 2015. We can gather around for a reading from the sefer Torah closely to enjoy the story's beginning about Moses and his family, now that we will have finished the story of Joseph and his family. We will begin to feel like one family, since Jewish life has a focus on the family. The 9th of January of the new secular year is a great time to bring our temple and community mishpuchah/family together. May our family and all the world's families begin to enjoy peace and an end to violence! Or as Dickens had Tiny Tim put it: 'God bless us, every one!' What a great blessing!"

A special part of the evening's festivities will include celebrating Millie Altholz's 100th birthday with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in addition to the Temple L'Chayim family and the entire Clermont community. In honor of her birthday, Altholz donated the beautiful new Temple Torah crowns. To celebrate, there will be a large after-service Oneg Shabbat with wine, challah, pastries and a grand opening/birthday cake. 

Temple L'Chayim believes in creating a warm and welcome home for its members and the community, while working tirelessly to create a world in which the principles of Judaism are a profound and positive force for humanity. Temple L'Chayim will now be located at Clermont City Center, 620 West Montrose Street in Clermont, Florida 34711.

Temple L'Chayim services will be held every second and fourth Friday of each month as well as for all special Jewish holiday which will be announced on their website and Facebook pages. The Temple L'Chayim Sisterhood will help hold special Jewish holiday events, fundraisers and social luncheons throughout the year. For more information on membership and events for Temple L'Chayim, call Nathan Axel at 352-242-6135, email: NAxel@cfl.rr.com or visit: http://www.TempleLChayim.com.