Temple Kol Ami came to life in the latter part of 1988. Founded by 52 original families, the congregation rented space in a Lutheran church. Rabbi Herring was hired as its spiritual leader, and Michael Rosenthal became its first administrator. At first, all activities were held at the church, but growth required the congregation to move half of its religious school to a nearby preschool facility. Bar and Bar Mitzvah parents acquired space for their ceremonies at local hotels and resorts.

By the early 1990’s, it was clear that the congregation had outgrown its first home, and fundraising was initiated to gather funds for a property and building somewhere within the Congregation’s demographic. A parcel was found, and a search for an architect was instituted with leadership from the School of Architecture at ASU. Of the 27 applicants for the job, internationally recognized local architect Will Bruder was selected and construction was completed in 1994 with 12 class rooms, offices and, of course, a sanctuary. By then the congregation had grown to 250 families.

Kol Ami saw itself as a community family from the start. As such, typical temple organizations such as brotherhood and sisterhood were evolved into K’hilla, a Kol Ami group dedicated to the goal of continuing the Temple as a place of learning, worship and social gathering. Tikkun Olam (social activism), a platform plank of Kol Ami joins youth, seniors and all those in between in the work of building better worlds as a reflection of our Jewish faith. With the addition of more classrooms (now 14), its stunning architecture, an athletic field, added office space, a charming social hall, and a beautiful memorial garden set in its beautiful, park-like five acres, with an older Rabbi Herring and an older Michael Rosenthal as Administrator, Temple Kol Ami has achieved a vibrant maturity with an eye still toward tomorrow.