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Our new home at Kimel Centre.QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT OUR NEW HOME. 

 

Kol Ami has moved to the Kimel Family Education Centre at the Lebovic Campus in Thornhill.

Here are the top questions to help you learn more about our new home and what it means to you, as a Kol Ami member.

1. Why did Kol Ami move from the former Le Baeck School Building at 36 Atkinson? 

Our new landlord gave us an eviction notice as they wish to use our current space for their own operations. This was allowed under our lease. 

2. Where did Kol Ami move to?

As of October 1, 2021, Kol Ami has moved to the Kimel Family Education Centre at the Lebovic Centre in North Thornhill. Our newly renovated  Beit Midrash is now open!  We are now located at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Ilan Ramon Blvd just north of Rutherford Road.

3. Is there onsite parking?

There is plenty of onsite surface parking at the Kimel Centre. There is additional parking space available, both above and underground at the adjoining Schwartz-Reisman Centre. 

4. Will my contribution for dues increase?

No. As Kol Ami does not have a fixed annual dues model anymore, our membership is invited to contribute to the best of their ability under what we call your Community Commitment (formerly Voluntary Community Support).  

5. Will we have a bigger space in the new home?

Some of the spaces, such as the classrooms, will be bigger and other spaces, such as the Beit Midrash where most services will be held will be smaller. But we will have options to expand our space as required, for example for B’nai Mitzvahs or Rock Shabbat. We will be renting the adjoining Auslander Hall when required at the adjoining Schwartz Reisman Centre.

We have to live within our financial means and balance that with our space requirements. For example, since we couldn’t use our office at Atkinson since the pandemic began, we have chosen to continue without a physical office during the pandemic. This is also saving significant funds.

6. Is the Shul fully renovated and decorated?

Yes, thanks to the efforts of the Sacred Space Committee, our new Beit Midrash is ready to go!  We have new flooring and a fresh coat of paint and new LED more modern lighting. The sacred space committee is gradually decorating our new space, adding paintings and other enhancements. In the months ahead, we will also install our memorial plaques and a benefactor’s wall.

7. Are we holding in-person services in the Kimel building?

Services are now being held weekly in our newly renovated hall.  All Shabbat services are hybrid with Zoom offered in addition to in-person.

8. What about Torah Studies and Friday Night Shabbat services?

Kol Ami is holding in-person Torah study in the Beit Midrash with a Zoom option. For now, Friday night Shabbat services remain on Zoom only. 

We will be holding some hybrid live-Zoom version of Rock Shabbat starting on December 3, 2021, at a larger hall.

9. Can I come into the Shul anytime?

You can attend services, but you must register in advance.

10. How many people will fit in the Beit Midrash? What happens if there are too many people attending?

Approximately 110 people can fit into the Beit Midrash. However, for now, we are restricting capacity to approximately 65 people.  

Kol Ami is requiring online registration for health and safety reasons.

11. My child has an upcoming B'nai Mitzvah in 2022 or 2023. How will the Shul’s move affect this?

Our first priority is to accommodate the B'nai Mitzvah families. We are working with those families to ensure all the arrangements are in place for their Simchas. 

12. Will my child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah be in the Kimel Building?

Yes, depending on the size of your guest list. Kol Ami can reserve the Auslander Hall in the Schwartz Reisman Building for those families with larger groups attending. 

13. Is the Rabbi’s office open for meetings?

Kol Ami is not renting office space during the pandemic as our staff is working from home and it saves funding. Rabbi Streiffer is now on sabbatical, returning on June 1, 2022. We do have three other excellent Rabbis who are filling in for Rabbi Streiffer. But if you have an urgent matter, please call our office 905-709-2620 or email admin@kolami.ca.

14. Will the religious school be in the Kimel building too?

Yes. We are renting high-quality, modern classrooms at the Kimel Building, one of the reasons it was our preferred choice.

15. When will the students start school in the Kimel Building? How many classrooms are there?

In-person classes will resume on Saturday, December 4, 2021.  We will be monitoring the Covid-19 situation to ensure our students and staff’s safety.

We have 11 classrooms available. 

16. If I am vaccinated, can I come to the Shul?

If you are fully vaccinated you can attend once we slowly move to limited in-person services. You must bring proof of vaccination certificate.

The leadership will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation to ensure safety for our community.

17. What is your vaccination policy? Will you be requesting vaccination certificates? What about my child? Do they need to be vaccinated? Do I have to wear a mask indoors?

Kol Ami pre-screens all attendees and requires full vaccination for all persons attending.  Children 12 or over must be fully vaccinated. We will allow a limited number of children under 12 to attend.  Everyone attending must wear masks during services and classes.

 

More questions? Email us at move@kolami.ca 

Pictures of our new Sanctuary

 

 

 

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784