Kol Ami (Tucson, Arizona) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kol Ami Synagogue |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
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| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 225 North Country Club Road, Tucson, Arizona 85716 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Arizona
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Eli Blount (1910) |
| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Date established | c. 2019 (merged congregation)
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| Completed |
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| Established | 2005 |
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| Location | 564 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701-2308 |
| Type | Jewish museum |
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Temple Emanu-El (1910)
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 564 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701 |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Eli Blount |
| Part of | Barrio Libre Historic District (ID78000565) |
| Designated CP | October 18, 1978 |
The Kol Ami Synagogue is a Reform Jewish place of worship, also known as a synagogue. It is located in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States.
The Kol Ami congregation was formed in 2021. This happened when two older congregations, Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Or Chadash, decided to join together. Temple Emanu-El started in 1910 as The Hebrew Benevolent Society. Congregation Or Chadash began in 1995.
Leaders from both groups started talking about combining in 2018. The two Reform Jewish congregations officially merged the next year, creating Kol Ami. Rabbi Malcolm Cohen became part of Kol Ami in July 2022. Cantor Jennifer Benrey joined Kol Ami in July 2024.
When it was known as The Hebrew Benevolent Society, it was the very first synagogue in the Arizona Territory. This makes it the oldest Jewish congregation in Arizona. Temple Emanu-El's first building, called the Stone Avenue Temple, was built in 1910. It is the oldest synagogue building in Arizona. This historic Stone Avenue building is now used as the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of Kol Ami Synagogue
Temple Emanu-El's Beginnings
Jewish people in the area had been meeting to pray for many years. They started collecting money to build a synagogue in 1905. The group officially became "The Hebrew Benevolent Society" on March 20, 1910.
Their first synagogue building, the Stone Avenue Temple, opened on October 3, 1910. This was the first synagogue ever built in the Arizona Territory. In 1949, the congregation moved to a new building on North Country Club Road.
The Stone Avenue Temple Building
The original Stone Avenue Temple building was made of brick. It was designed by an architect named Ely Blount. He combined a Greek Revival style, with its classic columns and triangular roof, with rounded windows and two towers. This style is called Rundbogenstil.
In 1937, the building was covered with stucco. The beautiful original stained-glass windows are no longer there. In 1982, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is part of the Barrio Libre Historic District. Efforts to save this synagogue gained national attention. It even received an award for historic preservation. Today, this building is home to the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.
The Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center
The Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center was once known as the Jewish History Museum. It was also called the Jewish Heritage Center of the Southwest. This Jewish museum was created in 2005. It formed when two groups joined together. One group worked to save the historic Stone Avenue Temple building from being torn down. The other was the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Arizona.
The museum's building was the first synagogue built in the Arizona Territory. The Holocaust museum helps teach people about the victims of the Holocaust. It shares stories from survivors, especially those who now live in Tucson, Arizona.
Besides its regular exhibits, the museum also hosts special shows and talks. It holds an annual exhibit of wedding items and a Jewish Storytelling Festival. It is also where the Jewish Arizona Oral History Project is located. This project records stories from Jewish people in Arizona.
Congregation Or Chadash's Story
Congregation Or Chadash was formed on August 18, 1995. It was started by Rabbi Thomas Louchheim. He had previously worked as an Assistant Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El.
The congregation received a special gift: a Torah scroll. It came from B’nai Sholem, an Orthodox congregation in St. Joseph, Missouri. Congregation Or Chadash also started a Jewish school. By late 1999, it had more than 104 students.
In 2002, the congregation bought a property that was about 4.2 acres. They used donations and loans to buy it. A large house on the property, about 400,000 square feet, was turned into a chapel, classrooms, and offices.
More to Explore
- History of the Jews in Arizona
- Tucson Hebrew Academy
