Congregation Or Ami (“Light of My People”) was founded in January, 1997 as a group of families came together to create a traditional Reform Jewish congregation to service the west San Fernando and Conejo Valleys and surrounding communities. Or Ami’s vision is that “People Matter!” The congregation strives to be a light for its families and community and to create a warm, friendly and supportive environment. As a young congregation, one of the exciting pleasures is to share “first-time” events and to enjoy the evolution of those events as they grow with our community.
- Or Ami formed with Doug Cotler as Cantor (1997)
- Or Ami hires Rabbi Jerrold Goldstein (1997)
- Or Ami opens its first religious school class (Sept. 1997)
- Rabbi Paul J. Kipnes becomes Or Ami’s first full-time spiritual leader (July 1998)
- Or Ami dedicates its first combined sanctuary/office space (Sept. 2003)
- Or Ami’s first Israel trip (2006)
- Or Ami innovates with social media use (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, streaming services through Internet) (2009)
- Or Ami wins URJ Technology award for innovative use of the Internet (2011)
- Rabbi Julia Weisz is consecrated as our 2nd rabbi (Oct. 2011)
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Or Ami Village is founded as the second Jewish Village in the United States (2019)