Our History
In 2007 a group of 20 families began discussing the formation of a new synagogue community with Geoff Basik, who was then completing his rabbinical studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Once Rabbi Basik was ordained, the Baltimore-area synagogue was incorporated as Kol HaLev. For its first High Holy Days services in 2007, Cantor George Henschel joined KHL and became its regular Cantor.
In 2009 we moved to Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church, where we have our own shul, as well as access to a large function hall for High Holy Day service, Pesach Seder, Chanukah celebrations, monthly family Shabbat dinners and musical events, as well as joint interfaith activities with the church.
In 2010 we officially became a Reconstructionist synagogue.
KHL has grown to approximately 100 member households. KHL has become home to many young, often multi-faith families who want to raise Jewish children. Our family education efforts expanded so that our school, Beit Lev, now serves over 45 children. The community has become increasingly active with Jewish educational programs, weekly Kabbalat Shabbat, a monthly “mindfulness” Shabbat minyan, Shabbat Unplugged, book club, family home gatherings, and much more. Our High Holy Day services, held in the BMW Fellowship Hall expanded to serve over 250 people last year. Although located just across the city line in Baltimore County, BMWPC has been accessible to both urban and suburban families.
BMWPC has been an excellent location for KHL; Unfortunately for BMWPC, the landlord strategy was not able to overcome the impact of their declining congregant population and recurring deficits. In 2017 they decided to merge with Govans PC and sell the entire Woodbrook property. They terminated their lease with KHL and the other occupants of the facility effective June 2018.
In 2017, the community was invited to get involved in a new location search effort. About 30 members volunteered to be involved at various levels and began meeting on a monthly basis. A total of nearly 20 locations/properties were identified. The members unanimously and independently found that the Church of the Holy Comforter (CHC) (Episcopal) in Lutherville was the best choice for our next location that will serve us well for the next 4 to 5 years.
Our move to Church of the Holy Comforter was completed on June 27, 2018. The move went smoothly and efficiently, and it looks like this will be a comfortable location. All Friday and Saturday Shabbat services will now be held at CHC in the chapel.
Wed, June 19 2019
16 Sivan 5779
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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 will now be held at CHC in the chapel. The chapel is handicap accessible.
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 Shabbat Unplugged on the fourth Friday night of the month. Shabbat 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 access them from this home page under the Program tab above). Come and enjoy guitar, drum, voices and song!
Interfaith Learning and Discussion of the Hebrew Scripture with CHC: Focus on the Prophets.
Rabbi Geoff is joining Pastor Chris Tang in co-teaching the Wednesday morning "Bible Study" class at CHC. The theme is "Prophets and Prophecy," the timeless messages of the Hebrew prophets have importance and relevance for all. (And it is a chance to familiarize ourselves with less-often read books of TaNaCh.) This promises to be good learning and, even more important, good inter-faith conversation and expansion of understanding. The Wednesday Scripture Study group will hold their final session on Wednesday, June 19, 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall. They will reconvene in the fall, date TBD.
Learn Hebrew!
Of all the entry points into the Jewish wisdom tradition, the Hebrew language is the "Golden Gate." Join Rabbi Geoff on Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m. The group will break for the summer and hold their final session on Wednesday, June 19. Materials will be provided, and in no time you will gain skills to participate competently and comfortably in services, knowledge of key words and meanings, access to the wisdom embedded in the language -- the acquisition of immensely valuable resources to connect with and use, be they blessings, prayers, songs, Torah itself, and other texts. Please join us, your religious life and identity is about to get a lot richer!
Jewish Summer Camp!
Reconstructing Judaism runs two fantastic summer camps, Camp Havaya in the Poconos in Pennsylvania, and Camp Havaya Arts in southern California. “Havaya” (with a hey, not a chet) means “being.” They are among the jewels of the movement, and they help young people grow and discover their potential within a framework that is shaped by Reconstructionist Jewish values and community building. You’re welcome to contact Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, who directs camp, at isaac@camphavaya.org. We can also help you get in touch with parents around the movement for more info about the experience. The staff at either camp are also happy to help people explore what resources may be available to help cover costs.
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.
Wed, June 19 2019 16 Sivan 5779