Temple Kol Ami (Thornhill, Ontario)

Temple Kol Ami is a Reform Jewish congregation in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.

The congregation was founded in 1988 by a small group of families. Their vision was to establish a Reform synagogue that was inclusive and welcoming, where prayer was joyous, personal, and meaningful; and so Kol Ami began. The first services were held in members' homes, and later at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre.

In 1990, Rabbi Nancy Wechsler joined the congregation as its first rabbi. Services and Religious School were being held within the Leo Baeck Day School, first on Kenton Avenue in North York, and later at Leo Baeck’s new campus on Atkinson Avenue in Thornhill. Cantorial Soloist Dawn Bernstein added her vocal talents in 1994.

Daniel Gottlieb became the congregation's rabbi in 1996 and continued to 2011. During his tenure the Kol Ami community grew exponentially, truly becoming a presence in York Region. Throughout this time the congregation pursued its dream of establishing a permanent home. Several options were explored, including building an independent facility or joining the community campus on Bathurst Street.

Finally, the seeds were planted of what can best be described as a “There’s no place like home” movement. Rather than build a separate facility, the decision was taken to create a permanent partnership with the Leo Baeck Day School. Extensive renovations and beautification of the school's sanctuary and lobby, as well as the construction of offices, a chapel, and youth lounge, yielded a space that could serve as home to both institutions.

With the appointment of Rabbi Micah Streiffer in the summer of 2011 and the redesign and renovation of sacred spaces within Leo Baeck now completed, Kol Ami finds itself spiritually and physically at home, nestled comfortably in the heart of Jewish York Region.