CANCELLATIONS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
All Kol HaLev and CHC activities have been canceled until further notice to best protect the members of our community. Virtual candle lighting, Torah study, classes, and other gatherings will continue online. Read the weekly newsletters 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.
Virtual Candle Lighting
Join Cantor George for our next virtual community candle lighting on Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. The link to join us is: https://zoom.us/j/701279054. For instruction on using zoom go to https://www.kolhalevmd.org/candle_lighting.
Virtual Torah Study
Click on Zoom to be connected to the virtual Shabbat Torah study. Please join us at 10:00 a.m. on Shabbat morning, March 28 for a learning discussion of parashat Vayikra, Lev 1:1-5:6. Yes, the Book of Leviticus is all about the sacrifices -- the means of "drawing near" or "approaching." And it is interesting to note the kinds of sins for which offerings were to be made -- deceit and fraud and lying... Overall, one scholar presents Leviticus as the cosmic struggle between the forces of Life and the forces of Death, "holiness" or "impurity." Profanation and pollution can be made right, purged and cleansed, allowing for renewed contact with and proximity to God. And what of the role of blood in the sacrificial system? Some say it absorbs the impurities and represents the victory of Life over Death.
"Social Distance, but Not Disconnect"
“Social Distancing,” on the face of it, seems anathema to our avowed goals and purposes as a community. As a rule, we seek connection, contact, company and solidarity. We are our best selves when part of a collective. I am constantly learning and preaching about “the spiritual practice of belonging.” Staying home in semi-quarantine, avoiding meetings and crowds, is quite a challenge! Our worship, learning and fellowship are, by nature and design, communal. The social isolation and distancing that is (appropriately) called for today applies to our bodies, but what about our minds and spirits?
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. I have noted before that among the features of a successful community that I most celebrate are the friendships (and the bonds beyond friendship) that are formed and enjoyed. Let’s not let this feature of Kol HaLev wane.
Of course we are heeding the advice of experts about maximizing our physical health and resistance to this virus — about sleep and exercise and fresh air and disinfecting surfaces and touching our faces and washing our hands and ‘six feet’ and… It is also true that the stress and anxiety and downright fear we are experiencing also diminishes our immunity and resistance and resilience.
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 or the Shabbat Vehagim by clicking on the title of each prayerbook. If you can not access these, we will deliver one to you for your reading / reflecting / contemplating / praying practice. You may follow the weekly Torah-reading schedule. We can all share recommendations for inspirational reading material. Now may be the time to make a concerted effort to learn something new in order to participate more fully. (What may be of interest?)
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.
Cantor George writes, “Perhaps everyone can think of someone in their area or family who could use some help, whether it be with food deliveries or just a phone call or note to see how they’re doing. Isolation and depression go together, especially if you’re in a high risk group. Expand our virtual community at a time when we can’t be together in person. And be thankful every day for what we have.”
Shira wants to remind everyone about our Chesed (Lovingkindness) network, inviting everyone to let Lysh, Laurie or Shira herself know if you need special help during this time. Others have offered to help by shopping and delivering groceries or other needs.
And Susan adds a reminder about charities to help those in need, such as Meals on Wheels, the Maryland Food Bank, and the International Rescue Committee.
We have been converted into believers in “Zoom rooms!” Our initial foray into virtual gatherings — candle lighting this past erev Shabbat — was a good beginning. Stay tuned for more on that. We can continue our Tuesday evening class in this way, and other important meetings.
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.
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. I have noted before that among the features of a successful community that I most celebrate are the friendships (and the bonds beyond friendship) that are formed and enjoyed. Let’s not let this feature of Kol HaLev wane.
Of course we are heeding the advice of experts about maximizing our physical health and resistance to this virus — about sleep and exercise and fresh air and disinfecting surfaces and touching our faces and washing our hands and ‘six feet’ and… It is also true that the stress and anxiety and downright fear we are experiencing also diminishes our immunity and resistance and resilience.
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 or the Shabbat Vehagim by clicking on the title of each prayerbook. If you can not access these, we will deliver one to you for your reading / reflecting / contemplating / praying practice. You may follow the weekly Torah-reading schedule. We can all share recommendations for inspirational reading material. Now may be the time to make a concerted effort to learn something new in order to participate more fully. (What may be of interest?)
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.
Cantor George writes, “Perhaps everyone can think of someone in their area or family who could use some help, whether it be with food deliveries or just a phone call or note to see how they’re doing. Isolation and depression go together, especially if you’re in a high risk group. Expand our virtual community at a time when we can’t be together in person. And be thankful every day for what we have.”
Shira wants to remind everyone about our Chesed (Lovingkindness) network, inviting everyone to let Lysh, Laurie or Shira herself know if you need special help during this time. Others have offered to help by shopping and delivering groceries or other needs.
And Susan adds a reminder about charities to help those in need, such as Meals on Wheels, the Maryland Food Bank, and the International Rescue Committee.
We have been converted into believers in “Zoom rooms!” Our initial foray into virtual gatherings — candle lighting this past erev Shabbat — was a good beginning. Stay tuned for more on that. We can continue our Tuesday evening class in this way, and other important meetings.
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.
Literature at Lunch
Master storyteller Bernard Malamud (1914-1986) explored the mystery and magic of love in the two short stories that we will discuss in our last session this year. These stories also focus on parents' dreams and wishes for their children, and what happens when children choose a different path. In "The First Seven Years," a Holocaust survivor toils as a shoemaker to earn the hand of a young woman whose immigrant father wants her to "marry an educated man and live a better life." The title refers to the Biblical story of Jacob being obliged by Laban to work and wait before being allowed to marry his daughter Rachel (Genesis, chapters 29-31). In "The Magic Barrel," another immigrant, an elusive matchmaker whom Malamud calls a "commercial Cupid," tries to find a suitable bride for a picky young man. The story ends with an unexpected twist. Join Gail Lipsitz on Saturday, May 2 at noon to discuss these memorable stories. For a biography of Bernard Malamud, click here.
KHL Educational Programs
KHL Sunday School - ENROLL NOW!
Kol HaLev's Sunday School is an educational program serving children entering pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Classes begin Sunday, September 8 at our new time, 9:30 a.m. and meet two days a month. For more information about the KHL Sunday School program, click HERE. To enroll now, click HERE.
B'nai Mitzvah Program - 7th graders - Enroll Now!
This is the year! Your child is coming of age, and we have a way to do that Jewish-ly, to help shape and inform that emerging adult. If your twelve-year-old is going to become a bar or bat mitzvah, you need to enroll them in this program. Our 7th grade class will meet one Sunday evening per month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. starting September 15. For more information on the program click HERE. You must be a KHL member to enroll your child in the B'nai Mitzvah program.
Kol HaLev's Sunday School is an educational program serving children entering pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Classes begin Sunday, September 8 at our new time, 9:30 a.m. and meet two days a month. For more information about the KHL Sunday School program, click HERE. To enroll now, click HERE.
B'nai Mitzvah Program - 7th graders - Enroll Now!
This is the year! Your child is coming of age, and we have a way to do that Jewish-ly, to help shape and inform that emerging adult. If your twelve-year-old is going to become a bar or bat mitzvah, you need to enroll them in this program. Our 7th grade class will meet one Sunday evening per month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. starting September 15. For more information on the program click HERE. You must be a KHL member to enroll your child in the B'nai Mitzvah program.
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, March 29 2020
4 Nisan 5780
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Joint KHL/CHC Study
Please consider joining KHL and CHC on Wednesdays as they explore and discuss scripture together. Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the CHC parish hall.
Learn Hebrew!
As an entry point into Judaism and Jewish life, Hebrew language familiarity is the "Golden Gate." Those who have learned a little Hebrew can attest to how much more they can understand, access the wisdom, participate in and appreciate our communal services, celebrations and commemorations. All are welcome; no Hebrew required.
We offer an "Aleph Bet for Beginners" class on Wednesdays (5:00 to 6:00 p.m.) and Hebrew Literacy for adults is offered throughout the year on Wednesdays, (6:00 to 7:00 p.m.).
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!
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.
Weather Closing Policy
It is Kol HaLev's policy that if Baltimore County Schools are closed due to weather then any KHL service or event scheduled for that day will also be canceled and/or rescheduled.
Sun, March 29 2020 4 Nisan 5780