Kol HaLev Services

Shabbat Morning Services

At 10:30 am on the first and third Saturday mornings of each month, we hold a Shabbat morning service in the chapel at the Ratner School. (Should a Bar/Bat Mitzvah be celebrated that morning, our service is usually held in the auditorium of the Ratner School.)

Our services reflect the spirit of Kol HaLev, with its blend of lay and professional leadership and the warm welcoming of guests. We use the Reconstructionist Kol Haneshamah siddur which has Hebrew, with full egalitarian translations, extensive transliterations, and a large selection of contemporary poetry and readings.

Services are preceded by Torah study for adults that begins at 9:30 am and lasts 45 minutes. The Torah portion for each Shabbat is noted on our calendar. We have humashim for the reading and study of the Torah portion, donated in honor of our Founding Rabbi Jeffrey Schein.

Here is a guide to our Shabbat morning service.

The morning ends with kiddush (blessings for wine and bread) and conversation among members and guests. Click here for Kiddush instructions.

We have a Shabbat educational program for children on the first and third Saturday mornings of each month. (Learn more about our Hagiga program.) In addition, there is a Tot Shabbat at 11:00 am as well as babysitting available for all members and guests.

Shabbat Kehillah

On the fourth Saturday mornings of most months, the format for our Shabbat morning service includes elective workshops and an intergenerational service. We begin at 10:00am with elective workshops which vary from month to month. Some of the workshops have included Shabbat Tai Chi, Text Study, Games, Music and Knitting. After the workshops, we have an intergenerational service at 11:00am in the chapel at the Ratner School. Families and all ages are welcome to attend and participate in Shabbat Kehillah.

Friday Evening Services

At 8:00 pm on the fourth Friday evening of most months, we hold a Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming Shabbat) service in the chapel at the Ratner School. Each service supplements the traditional prayers with choices made by the service leaders. There may be discussion of a topic, meditation, additional songs, poetry and readings. These services are almost entirely musical with very little speaking. Occasionally, we will precede the service with a family potluck dinner and singing.  The evening ends with an Oneg Shabbat (literally 'joy of the Sabbath') - a kiddush (blessings for wine and bread) - and a time for conversation for members and guests.

Other Shabbat Services

Living Room services (Shabbat morning services held in a less formal setting, often at the home of a member) are now held periodically throughout the year rather than monthly. Some will be followed by a potluck lunch. These services are a wonderful way for members to pray together in an intimate setting and also a great opportunity for members to learn how to lead a service in a much less intimidating setting. They are completely lay-led — Rabbi Steve will not be attending, although he is available to help in your preparation of the service.

Our fifth Shabbat services will now be focusing on four types of services:

• Book of Blessing services:

  We will hold these three or four times a year. Our first service based on Marcia Falk’s reworking of the traditional liturgy was one of our best-attended alternative format service. We believe these services will help meet the needs of many Kol HaLev members.

• Meditation services:

  These will be held several times throughout the year and will provide another opportunity for people who wish to explore their spirituality in a less traditional and formal way.

• Holiday-focused services:

  In those months when holidays occur, we may have services that will educate and explore the themes particular to those holidays.

• Intergenerational services or gatherings:

  These may be Shabbat morning services or Shabbat afternoon programs that include storytelling, singing, a third meal and havdalah. These services will offer more opportunities for all of our generations to spend time together in community.

Healing Services

Our Healing Services are held on request in the early evening on a weekday at the home of a member. Usually about an hour long, they include simple ceremonies, quiet prayer, meditation and the optional sharing of personal concerns in a small group setting. Members interested in being part of a Healing Service are asked to contact Rabbi Steve.

Holidays

We celebrate many holidays in prayer together and gather together to observe holidays such as Hanuka, Purim, Simchat Torah and Sukkot. (For a view of some of these happy multigenerational chagim, with a focus on the children of the community, visit the “Album” section of this web site.)

High Holy Days

We welcome those who are not members of our community to share the High Holy Days with us as members for the month of Tishri - from Selichot through Sukkot. (Learn more about Tishri Membership.)

Unlike Shabbat services where walk-in guests are welcome, for the High Holy Days we require pre-registration. Our prayerbook is the Reconstructionist Mahzor Leyamim Nora'im (prayer book for the Days of Awe). It is an inclusive, comprehensive volume for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services; one that is rooted in the traditional Hebrew liturgy, yet fully contemporary. The Mahzor, which can be purchased from the Reconstructionist Press, is a book with so many thoughtful readings that some members read it as a way to prepare for the High Holy Days.