I

Spirituality

Left: Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Norman Roman speaks
to his congregation at the groundbreaking.
Above: Sara Kravitz and her daughter, Elise, 5, of
Farmington Hills

Going Green

Kol Ami's expansion boasts environmental certification.

Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor

T

emple Kol Ami celebrated a his-
toric milestone on Dec. 9 when
the congregation broke ground
on Phase I of a building project that
will expand and modernize its existing
structure on Walnut Lake Road in West
Bloomfield.
The expansion will give the build-
ing much-needed classrooms so the
synagogue will be able to house its own
religious school for the first time in its
history. Classes have been held at various
sites, including a public elementary school
and other synagogues.
Another significant step is that the
building will be certified "green" under
LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certification, a
process that encompasses various envi-
ronment requirements, including separat-
ing and processing as much demolition
debris as possible at a recycling center,
using certain types of carpeting and

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December 20 • 2007

paints and using heat-
"It's not just about
ing and cooling units
bricks and mortar;
and lighting systems
this is about the
that are highly energy-
vitality of Temple
efficient.
Kol Ami and our
Each phase will take
forward-thinking
separate certification.
approach to our
This step adds some
growth:' said Mel
cost initially, but the
Chudnof of West
environmental and
Bloomfield, capital
energy-efficient ben-
campaign co-chair
efits are significant.
and the past co-pres-
Though other local
ident who initiated
synagogues are making
the building project
environmental strides,
with his with, Nena,
Kol Ami member Paul
also a past co-presi-
Decorated shovels are ready to be
Gross says he believes
dent.
used to break ground.
his synagogue is the
"After years of
first in the area to seek
planning, we're so
certification.
proud that this day
"I understand that this will be the
is finally here said Bill Faber of Orchard
first certified 'green' synagogue between
Lake, a current co-president with Howard
Washington and Chicago, and I say, 'Bring
Katz of West Bloomfield.
it on!'" said U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg,
A capital campaign started several years
R-Farmington Hills, during the ground-
ago, with a goal of reaching $5 million to
breaking ceremony.
fund the project. So far, about $2.7 mil-

lion has been raised, says Sallyjo Levine
of West Bloomfield, campaign co-chair.
Architect for the project is Dan Redstone
of Southfield, with Micco Construction
as the contractor. Phase I is expected to
be completed this spring and will include
the school (classrooms and multipurpose
rooms) and administrative wing. Phase
II, which consists of the main sanctuary,
social hall, kitchen and foyer, is expected
to be started as soon as funds are raised,
hopefully within a year or two, Levine
says.
Kol Ami members of all ages are excited
about the project. They spoke at a celebra-
tion held after the groundbreaking.
"I think it's so exciting that everything
Temple Kol Ami does will finally be in
our own building:' said Lisa Redmond of
Farmington Hills.
"We're coming home; it's going to be
great to have school in our building:' said
Jordyn Kaplan, 12, Commerce Township.
"A dream is a wish your heart makes:'
Levine said. "We had our dream, and we
wished and worked to get to this day"

