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.
Tue, April 13 2021
1 Iyyar 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.
Tue, April 13 2021 1 Iyyar 5781