Music and Poems for All
This is a collection of all Kol HaLev "Shabbat Unplugged" recordings.
This Shabbat
Join Cantor George for Shabbat this Friday May 14, 7:00 p.m. Click on the blue title above to join in.
This week’s Torah portion, B’Midbar (Numbers 1:1–4:20), recounts the taking of a census of the Israelite men of military age, specifies the arrangement of the tribes in their encampment and travels, emphasizes the special status of the Levites, and assigns them tasks in the service of the sanctuary.
The Haftarah portion (Hosea 2:1-22) speaks of reconciliation between God and the children of Israel, beginning with a prediction that “[their] number will be like the sand of the sea” and ending with a striking image of betrothal.
For our discussion, we may consider the central position of the portable sanctuary in the Israelite’s encampment, as protector and protected, and also as a source of danger; the consecration of the first-born to God; and the image of covenant as a marriage between the divine and the human. In particular, what might it mean for us today to consecrate the first fruits of our life’s work to God? All are welcome to join the service and Torah study by clicking on the blue title above.
Revisiting Global Shabbat
Watch KHL’s April 9 Global Shabbat service and enjoy the myriad voices of our Jewish world: Sephardic, Ugandan, and American. KHL welcomed in Shabbat with prayers sung by Jews from around the globe, while reflecting on and celebrating our own cultural backgrounds within the Kol HaLev community.
Counting the Omer
From the evening of the second Seder until Shavuot is 7 full weeks. The 7 weeks between freedom and revelation is the period of counting the omer (sfirat ha'omer). Even as this was an important period of preparation for the original receivers of revelation, so too is it an important period for us. This is a time of reflection, self-examination, improvement, and repair. These 7 full weeks can be really full of our effort to make this world a better place.
The technology of counting the omer is a significant tool in our effort at betterment/repair. Each day of the 7 weeks (49 days) represents a different attribute that we can enliven for ourselves and for the world.
Join Cantor George and Steven Silvern as we journey from enslavement to revelation. Each night at 8:00 p.m. from March 28 through May 16 we will virtually gather to count the omer.
An omer counting page with a chart has been created for you to follow. For those of you wanting a text for the counting of the omer, you can download that by clicking here.
The technology of counting the omer is a significant tool in our effort at betterment/repair. Each day of the 7 weeks (49 days) represents a different attribute that we can enliven for ourselves and for the world.
Join Cantor George and Steven Silvern as we journey from enslavement to revelation. Each night at 8:00 p.m. from March 28 through May 16 we will virtually gather to count the omer.
An omer counting page with a chart has been created for you to follow. For those of you wanting a text for the counting of the omer, you can download that by clicking here.
Calendar of Events
Designate KHL At AmazonSmile
Kol HaLev now has an account with AmazonSmile - basically anyone in the congregation, or elsewhere, can elect to have Amazon donate 0.5% of the purchase price of anything they buy on AmazonSmile credited to Kol HaLev.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Kol HaLev every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to KHL. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. Make sure you are logged in at AmazonSmile each time you shop.
Sun, May 16 2021
5 Sivan 5781
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CANCELLATIONS DUE TO CORONA VIRUS
To best protect the members of our community Kol HaLev services and activities AT CHC have been canceled until further notice.
Candle lighting, Torah study, classes, and other gatherings will continue virtually online. Read the weekly bulletin or check on this Kol HaLev website for details on how to connect to these virtual gatherings and for announcements about when we will be meeting again in person.
Shabbat Music
Kol HaLev, with the guidance of Cantor George has been introducing new, exciting, stimulating, joyful music to our services. Much of this music is for Friday nights and is played by Kol HaLev Unplugged on the fourth Friday night of the month. Kol HaLev Unplugged has made recordings so that the community can learn the melodies more easily. This link takes you to the recordings and the lyrics for the songs. You can also check out our latest You Tube video of Kol HaLev Unplugged singing Cantor George's Shalom Rav! Come to Shabbat and enjoy guitar, drum, voices and song!
Black Lives Matter
Kol HaLev has joined over 400 Jewish synagogues and organizations that signed this declaration:
Jewish Organizations and Synagogues say: Black Lives Matter
We are Jewish organizations and synagogues from across the racial and political spectrum; from different streams of Judaism; whose members trace their lineage from countries around the world.
To read more, click here.
"Social Distance, But Not Disconnect"
While we are doing what we can to ensure our physical health and safety, let’s think creatively and wisely about our mental and spiritual health and wellbeing. This is quite a strange new world we are adapting to, but let’s not forget what makes life meaningful: our relationships, our sharing of joys and sorrows and ideas and experiences, our caring, our witnessing and accompaniment of each other, our learning and growing together. Something sacred goes on. We have noted before that among the features of a successful community that most celebrated are the friendships (and the bonds beyond friendship) that are formed and enjoyed. Let’s not let this feature of Kol HaLev wane.
So now is NOT the time to forego the mental and spiritual benefits of our synagogue community. There are many ways to continue and even extend our “religious” practices while we are not meeting together in person. Cantor George, with Shabbat Unplugged, has recorded many of the songs we sing, and you can access them here. Sing or chant uninhibited, in the privacy of your own home. If you do not have a copy of our prayerbook, you can access the Daily Prayerbook, the Shabbat Vehagim, or Prayers for a House of Mourning by clicking on the title of each prayerbook. Now may be the time to make a concerted effort to learn something new in order to participate more fully.
It is also true that KHL can continue to be KHL by means of the help we offer to each other. Should a need arise, we’re here for you! We can continue the practice of care and attention, of service and support. Our Chesed network invites everyone to let Lysh, Laurie or Shira know if you need special help during this time. Others have offered to help by shopping and delivering groceries or other needs.
Please know that you are not alone, that we’re all in this together, and we can double down on love of self and neighbor. Commitment to the collective, and to each other, is the source and substance of religious community. It is the special sauce, the most important ingredient, our most important asset. The objective is to thrive, not simply survive.
Please know that you are not alone, that we’re all in this together, and we can double down on love of self and neighbor. Commitment to the collective, and to each other, is the source and substance of religious community. It is the special sauce, the most important ingredient, our most important asset. The objective is to thrive, not simply survive.
KHL - Please Join Us
We are located in The Church of the Holy Comforter (CHC), 130 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville 21093. All Friday and Saturday Shabbat services are handicap accessible. For directions to the Shul please click here.
Sun, May 16 2021 5 Sivan 5781