Tampa is a city on Tampa Bay, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Tampa is known for its many museums, Busch Gardens amusement park and historic Ybor City, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar-factory workers at the turn of the 20th century. Tampa is also the home of the Kol Ami Brotherhood.
Congregation Kol Ami is a kehillah (community) dedicated to innovation and tradition resulting in an inclusive, multi-generational community committed to improving ourselves and the world through ritual, educational, and social activities consistent with contemporary Conservative Judaism. Kol Ami seeks to advance and promote the ideals, values and practices of Conservative Judaism and is characterized as highly participatory, egalitarian, and energetic. Emphasis is placed on providing educational opportunities for our members, fostering Jewish values and ideals and encouraging our members to grow Jewishly. Our Congregation has an ongoing commitment to promoting awareness concerning, and the interests of, the State of Israel.
The Kol Ami Brotherhood is much more than integral arm of Kol Ami. In the words of Kol Ami Brotherhood President Jon Zimmer, “Brotherhood is fun. We offer many social events such as the annual Super Bowl party, Craft Beer Tasting Night, various happy hours/pub nights where we can relax and enjoy a beverage together, our annual Firearm Safety Day (fun AND educational!), our annual Cigars and Scotch night, and more.“
“Brotherhood is chavurah (fellowship). We hold sessions throughout the year called “Hearing Men’s Voices”, in which we discuss men’s issues such as Jewish men, such as how to be a better father, men’s health issues, dealing w/ loss and grief, and other important issues in a confidential setting among men. While we are not clergy, nor do we intend to take the place of clergy, we are here for any of our brothers should they need a fellow Brotherhood member to listen to them should they encounter any challenging life issues.
Brotherhood is service and mitzvot. Our Chai Guys team, led by the very capable Ari Horowitz, helps clean and beautify the shul and the grounds, as well as setting up the chairs for High Holidays, and more. Brotherhood is Torah, Israel, and davening. During our annual Scholar in Residence/Brotherhood and Sisterhood Shabbat program, which is co-sponsored with Sisterhood involves our members read Torah and help lead services. We also sponsor various lectures dealing w/ Israel, current events, and more. We are working on putting more educational events studying Torah and other sacred texts.“
“Brotherhood is you. As president, I want to hear from you and get your thoughts and opinions on things you’d like to see us do and how we can improve. I would love to increase our membership. While we do charge for annual membership dues, we do not turn anyone away and will work privately and discretely with anyone working with special circumstances if needed. I’m looking forward to serving our congregation as Brotherhood president and spending time with as many of you as possible.” – Jon Zimmer, President Kol Ami Brotherhood
Men’s Club is Brotherhood. Jon Zimmer is the President of the Kol Ami Brotherhood of Tampa, Florida and Yellow Candle Chairman for the Florida Region of FJMC. Learn more about the Kol Ami Brotherhood at https://www.kolami.org/brotherhood.html and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kolamitampa/. For more information about the Kol Ami Brotherhood, please email Brotherhood President Jon Zimmer at brotherhood.kolami@gmail.com.
The Kol Ami Brotherhood of Tampa, Florida is a proud member of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, an interconnected network of over 200 affiliated Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and beyond. Learn more about how your Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate at https://www.fjmc.org/content/affiliating-fjmc.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Club’s and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. If you are not yet affiliated with the Federation, then today is the day to join us.
Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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