The History of Kol Ami Tucson

A Tale of Two Synagogues Made Stronger

Under the aegis of The Union for Reform Judaism, in 2020, Rabbi Scott Saulson was hired as Interim Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El to work with clergy and the boards of both Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Or Chadash to bring these two Jewish communities together.

 This remarkable union is underscored by the name of the new synagogue—Kol Ami, All Of My People—as well as by its mission, “To Be A Home Of Joyful Judaism For All,” both of which reflected deliberate consideration and enjoyed overwhelming endorsement by both memberships. 

The original Temple Emanu-El on Stone Avenue in Tucson, AZ

History of Temple Emanu-El

The first known Jewish settler arrived in southern Arizona in 1854. In 1880 Jewish pioneers Isadore, Jake and Dave Gottheif, Kuno Baum, and Albert Steinfeld assembled Jewish citizens in Tucson and appealed to them to form a congregation. By 1908 more than 65 families from as far away as Globe and Nogales had pledged funding for a building. By April 1910 a building fund of $2,500, a loan to cover the remaining cost of $4,512, and a plot of land were acquired. Masons from Lodge 4 Tucson laid the cornerstone for the first synagogue building in the territory of Arizona on June 20, 1910.

 

On Rosh Hashanah Eve, October 3, 1910, the unpaved major Tucson thoroughfare, Stone Avenue, became home to the first Jewish place of worship in the Arizona Territory:  Temple Emanuel (later changed to Temple Emanu-El).  Rabbi E.M. Chapman from Albuquerque, N.M. was hired to conduct the services and preside at the dedication.   After conducting High Holy Day services, the rabbi was offered a one-year contract with a salary of $1000, which he accepted. The building on Stone Avenue fulfilled many dreams and many needs. 

A succession of Rabbis…

From 1910-1924 a succession of rabbis served the Temple Emanu-El congregation; they included Rabbi Dr. Benjamin 4533-2 Cohen (professor of Old Testament at University of Dubuque, IA) and Rabbi Dr. Chapman, and Rabbis Belchman, Ellinger, Levi, Freed and Freehof. In 1924 with no rabbi available, Max Lisitzky conducted the High Holy Days Services. Finally, in 1930 the first permanent rabbi, Rabbi Moise Bergman, was installed. However, by 1934 Rabbi Bergman was replaced by Rabbi Joseph Stolz for the High Holy Days. From 1935 to 1937 Rabbi William Rosenblatt led the congregation. In 1937 Rabbi Hyman Iola assumed the role of spiritual leader. Rabbi Iola would die a premature death at the age of 39 in October of 1941. Rabbi Joseph Gumbiner of Reno, NV, was selected to lead the congregation from late 1941 to 1947. In May of 1947 Rabbi Albert T. Bilgray was hired as the last rabbi to lead the congregation in its original building on South Stone Avenue.

 Temple Emanu-El needed to facilitate a growing membership when by the end of 1944 it had 101 paid members. Land was purchased at 225 No. Country Club Road and plans for the construction on the auditorium which would serve as the initial sanctuary began.  The original building became the Stone Avenue Temple, lost its red brick facade to white plaster, and is presently the home of the Jewish Heritage Museum. 

Groundbreaking ceremony of the new Temple Emanu-El
October 10th, 1948

In May of 1951, the final plans for the Religious School were approved.  The proposed eleven-room school building would be the largest Jewish school in the Southwest at the time.  The total cost of the building, including furnishings, was projected at $60,000. 

 

In December of 1955, Temple awarded a contract to the Murray J. Schiff Construction Company for a new Temple annex.  This addition would include a chapel with a pulpit, ark, choir area, and organ.  The wing would also have administrative offices and a library.  The building was to have "innovative sealing features for floors and ceilings" to make "the unit almost dustproof."  The proposed cost for the complex was $150,000. The dedication of the Convocation Building, housing the Schlanger Chapel, meeting room, library, offices, and rabbi's study, took place on March 22, 1959.

 

In 1962, the Sanctuary building with its mosaic windows was completed and dedicated by Gov. Fannin on February 24. The school building was dedicated in May, with excitement that "film strips, visual aids and tape recorders will supplement older methods of teaching."  At that time, 500 students attended.

 

In 1966, the Nogales, AZ branch of Temple Emanu-El Religious School opened with 25 students.  Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gordon established the Carol Gordon Fist Gallery of Judaica, including treasured art and religious objects.

In the early 1970s, Tucson was emerging from its laid back, small town, desert image. As more people moved West, Tucson grew into a metropolitan community. With this growth, more synagogues were started. The membership of Temple Emanu-El doubled, and members could now attend services at their newly completed building on Country Club Drive.

In September 1972, Rabbi Joseph Weizenbaum assumed temple leadership.  Rabbi Wiezenbaum had earlier led a 1971 delegation of POW/MIA families to Paris and to Laos where they met with the North Vietnamese. The congregation celebrated Rabbi Bilgray's 25 years of service in November. When he retired from Temple Emanu-El, the rabbi was recognized as a leader in interfaith relations.  He was elected Rabbi Emeritus at his retirement. The congregation had grown to 600 families.

In 1994, Under the leadership of Rabbi Weizenbaum, the membership of the congregation reached close to 1000-member families. the leadership passed from Rabbi Weizenbaum, when he retired, to Assistant Rabbi Thomas Louchheim on an interim basis for one year. For the next five years, there were several other rabbis, and Temple appeared to be on the verge of closing. A core group of members decided they wanted to avoid this. Major funds were pledged, a new Board of Directors was formed, and Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon was hired.

March of 2000, initiated the celebration of Temple's 90th anniversary.  A Heritage Shabbat was held March 11th at the Stone Avenue Temple, and on the 17th, Joan and Donald Diamond were honored for the unqualified support they provided, without which it was written, "we wouldn't have a Temple today." 

In 2018, Rabbi Cohon, after 18 years, resigned from the synagogue. Rabbi Batsheva Appel took over after that.