In 1979, a small group of families made a commitment to create a center for Jewish life in Vero Beach. The first Services were held at St. Helen’s Parish Hall. Every Friday night the group prayed in the warm glow of the Shabbat candles. A wooden Ark was soon built and it was designed to be portable. During the High Holy Days the Ark was moved to the Community Church. Inspired by the Ark and the Torah inside, Temple Beth Shalom was established at its present location in 1984.

The site of the building was chosen because of the beautiful trees that surrounded it. The roof of the synagogue is older than the rest of the building. Charles Block, an architect and one of the founding families saw the roof dismantled from a church being torn down while he was  driving home from South Florida one day. He stopped and inquired about the unique roof that was designed as hands praying to heaven. All in one year Mr. Block purchased and stored the roof and funds were raised to break ground. Skylights were added for natural light from heaven and a window to G-d. The building was completed in 1984.

Local artist Paul Pickel designed the stained glass which faces East towards Jerusalem and is located above the Ark.

The school wing was built in 1987,  with a  playground  added for the children in 1997. In 2007 the Block family donated our biblical garden that winds along our path that connects our campus.

Temple Beth Shalom has had full time Rabbis since 1980.