Kol HaLev DropDowns

Kol HaLev Committes

We are a participatory community. Each year nearly all members work for Kol HaLev, generally through the committees described below.

These committees work to:

  • develop us as a spiritual community

  • further the education of adults and children

  • perform acts of loving kindness

  • encourage us to try to repair the world

  • keep us connected and informed, and

  • help formulate our policies and plans.

Our committee chairs welcome hearing from you. While each committee needs members for continuing service, chairs will also welcome hearing from you even if your schedule allows you to give only short-term or very focused help. 

Committee service is an important way to be involved in the life of Kol HaLev, but there are many others.  Click here

Each year, as our committee chairs review their objectives with our leadership and, as needed, our Board, this list and the committee descriptions, as Reconstructionists like to say, "evolve."

For a list of our officers and Board members, click here.
For member phone numbers or emails, click here.
("Members Only" section. User name and password are required.)
Links to our Bylaws are shown for our standing committees only.

Communications

For some communications guidelines, **click here**. (Members Only)

  • Newsletter Editor: Sue Weidenbaum
  • Emails: Ron Kohn
  • Webkeeper: David Conn; technical support by Brian Miller

Adult Education Committee  Co-chairs: Sue and Eric Kisch

Our Adult Education Committee plans and implements educational opportunities so members can study and enrich their understanding of Judaism in all its aspects, historical, cultural and religious, including the Reconstructionist perspective. It also helps other committees develop educational programs related to their objectives. To view the committee's Web page, click here.

Building Liaison  Michael Caputo

The only person authorized to deal with Ratner School re: our use of their facilities. Members are asked to work with Ratner School through the Building Liason.
Cemetery   Chair: Mike Armin 

Deals with our section of Hillcrest Cemetery and the rules for purchase and use by Kol HaLev members and their families.  To learn more, click here.        

Child Care Coordinator   Gina Villa
Development Committee  to be named

Engages in developing fundraising strategies and events.

Executive Committee   Chair: Allen Binstock, President

Per our Bylaws, this committee (our President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Rabbi) is a facilitative body to appoint committee Chairs, strengthen the operation of committees, develop the agenda for Board meetings and follow up on Board decisions.

Finance Committee   Chair: to be named

As stated in the Bylaws, the Finance Committee prepares our annual budget with assistance from the Treasurer and from other committees. It is also responsible for monitoring the treasury function and coordinating all funds. Our Dues page is approved by this committee and our Treasurer. 

Hesed Committee   Chair: Marianne Lax

Hesed means "loving kindness". Our Hesed Committee performs Gmilut Hasadim - acts of loving kindness - to the members of our community by aid and support during life cycle events and other times of need. We arrange for meals or transportation for members who are ill, bereaved, or experiencing transition such as new parenthood. We ensure minyans for shiva services, send gifts and cards as appropriate, and mobilize a phone tree to contact members about timely matters. Our small committee can provide these Gmilut Chasadim because over the course of the year nearly all members help. If you have a need or know someone who does, contact the chair.

High Holy Days Committee   Co-chairs: Nancy Hecht, Claudia Weissman

Each year our tradition of participation can be seen in the work of the High Holy Days Committee which, with the advice of Rabbi Steve Segar, plans our celebration of the High Holy Days. Then it "orchestrates" the hundreds of small steps that will create our observance of the Days of Awe. Nearly all of our members will play a part -- large or small -- in this process.

Holidays Committee   Chair: Deb Schein

Organizing our holiday celebrations - Hanuka, Purim, Simchat Torah, Sukkot and more - is the mission of the Holidays Committee. It emphasizes both community and home celebrations and building inter-generational activities.

Kiddush Coordinator   Robin Shell

Our Shabbat morning services are followed by a simple kiddush hosted by one or two member families. The sponsors are usually sharing the joy of a special event - a major birthday, wedding anniversary, a child's graduation, or the birth of a child or grandchild - with the community. The coordinators arrange for hosting at each service and maintain our Guidelines for Hosting.

Membership Committee    Co-chairs: Judy Vida, Renee Siegel

Per our Bylaws, this committee is responsible for recruiting and retaining members. Its emphasis is 'inreach' - to welcome new members and help all members get connected with the activities and committees that would be of most interest to them. It also conducts 'outreach' activities - helping potential members make an informed choice (see our Membership page) about joining our community.

Newsletter Editor   Sue Weidenbaum

Newsletter Proofreader   Beth Friedman-Romell

Rabbi Liaison Committee    Co-chairs: Selma Gwatkin, Barry Epstein

This committee was formed when we engaged Rabbi Steve Segar. It meets regularly to hear his views of how things are going and what needs he might have, to share with him the views of the committee and feedback from other members, and to be a sounding board for his ideas, concerns, and plans.

Religious Practices Committee   Chair: Barbara Truitt 

Our Religious Practices Committee (see Bylaws), working closely with Rabbi Steve Segar, arranges for Shabbat Friday evening and Saturday morning services. This includes writing guidelines, selecting leaders, analyzing services that have been held, etc. The committee conducts workshops on leading a service, on the structure of a service, and the meaning of prayer. It also determines many of our ritual practices, e.g., how to handle kashrut. With the rabbi's advice and the participation of members it recommends guidelines on other matters, such as the role of the non-Jew in ritual and our B'nai Mitzvah celebrations, for Board approval. See our Services page.

Tikkun Olam (formerly Social Action)    Chair: to be named

Our goal is to provide our members with opportunities for tikkun olam(repairing the world). Projects are created for people of all ages with the hope that they will be inspired to volunteer in some way during the year. We plan various avenues in which one may give such as donations of food and/or money to a food bank, tutoring children in an inner city school, aiding a housing project for the homeless and political action initiatives. Our committee also runs our High Holy Days food campaign for Mazon and local needs. See our Tikkun Olam page.
Torah Study    Chair: Anna Kelman

This year starts two years study of the Prophets. All members are welcome to join in these monthly meetings in member homes.  Learn more

Webkeeper    David Conn;  Technical Support: Brian Miller

Our community website may be Cleveland's largest "shul" site.  Learn more
Weekly Email    Ron Kohn      

Since 2000 we've sent a weekly email to our members with news, reminders and requests. For guidlines on what can be emailed, **click here**.
Youth and Family Education    Chair: Kirby Date

This committee was established in January 2002 to address the educational needs of our children and provides support to our Director of Youth and Family Education.