Kulanu B'Yachad – All of us Together

    Kol HaLev is highly participatory community. The deep sense of belonging which our members experience comes in large part from the opportunity to create everything that we do, together. It's wonderful to enjoy each others' company and contributions at services and community programming, of course. But what deepens members' connection to the community is working collaboratively with one another to shape, plan and produce those services and programs. Members find many ways to contribute mental, physical, social and other kinds of energy to the community, in increments that suit them. Doing so pays dividends, as one of the most joyful aspects of being a Kol HaLev member is helping devise and nurture the opportunities to connect with others that make our community thrive. 

    Here are three ways members can increase their involvement: 

    • Keep up with Kol HaLev mailings and emails
    • Join a committee or activity group.  Read through the list below to discover what feels exciting to you. Our committee chairs welcome your interest -- and will also be delighted to hear from you even if your schedule only permits short-term or very focused help.  
    • Reach out. If you're not getting all our emails, let us know at connect@kolhalev.net.  If you're not sure how to connect with a particular committee, ask the Welcoming Team at community@kolhalev.net. 

    Keep up with Kol HaLev communications 

    Kol HaLev has five primary communication platforms we use to keep our members informed, excited, and connected:

    • Kol HaLev Happenings, our monthly newsletter*
    • The Weekly Update, for members only, which goes out by email each Thursday and contains Zoom links*
    • This website
    • The Members-only Facebook group, for members who spend time on Facebook+
    • Rabbi Steve's Friday "Good News" Email, which goes out to members each Friday with the handouts for the next day's Shabbat service attached (those service handouts are also located here).*

    *If you aren't receiving these asterisked emails please let us know at connect@kolhalev.net! 

    +Current Kol HaLev members who want to join our Facebook group, should send a Facebook friend request to Lila Hanft or Dan Barach (if you aren't friends already). Then let us know via private message that you'd like to join the group.  

    Join a Committee or Activity Group!

    Adult Education

    Our Adult Education Committee plans and implements a wide range of creative adult learning experiences which encourage meaningful communal engagement and personal development. Through Torah study, meditation, book group, and workshops on topics ranging from environmental activism to wise aging, members can broaden their understanding of Judaism spiritually, historically, culturally and religiously, with attention to the Reconstructionist viewpoint.
     

    This committee also helps other committees develop educational programs related to their own objectives. Learn more about Kol HaLev Adult Education here.

    Book Discussion Circle/Hug HaSefer

    Our Book Discussion Circle generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. and focuses on Jewish content in both fiction and non-fiction. We're currently meeting on Zoom, but if we return to in-person meetings you can find specific information about the location of each month’s meeting in the newsletter and the Weekly Update. Note that the Newsletter also contains a brief summary of the book for that month.
     

    All KHL members are welcome to attend these discussions and to recommend books for discussion. Contact Kevin Weidenbaum at KJW@oberlin.net to be added to the group’s email list. You can find this year's reading list and meeting dates here.

    Cemetery 

    The Cemetery committee deals with Kol HaLev's section of Hillcrest Cemetery and the rules for purchasing plots for use by Kol HaLev members and their families. To learn more, Learn more about our cemetery options and committee here.

    Climate & Sustainability Action Team

    The Climate & Sustainability Action Team, an outgrowth of our Tikkun Olam committee, works to make positive change through education, advocacy, actions at home, in the community, and nationwide. Some activities include planting pollinator gardens, home and community tree planting, joining a national campaign of holding Sidewalk Seders outside big banks to demand they stop investing in fossil fuels, a year of adult ed programs helping members decarbonize and switch to green investments, and more. The team partners with other congregations whenever possible to share knowledge, increase our influence, and act as climate and sustainability leaders within Cleveland's Jewish community.

    Communications Subcommittees

    The work of keeping members informed and engaged requires many volunteers. Do you have writing or journalism experience? Do you like to organize information? Are you an observant proofreader? Do you have intermediate-level skills in using Google Docs, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, Sign-Up Genius or Mailchimp? Then we could use your help on one or more of the following Kol HaLev communications subcommittees:

    • The Calendar Crew makes sure our Google calendar is up-to-date and accurate. 

    • The Zoom Crew makes policy decisions about Zoom, and recruits and trains new volunteer Zoom hosts.

    • Although the Weekly Update is edited by a single volunteer, it is always in need of proofreaders.  

    • Our monthly newsletter, Kol HaLev Happenings is always seeking both ideas for stories about Kol HaLev people and events and people to write those stories. Suggest a story idea to newsletter editor Lila Hanft at newsletter@kolhalev.net.

    • The Communication Team creates email blasts using Mailchimp, oversees external communications and handles internal communication not otherwise assigned.  

    Fundraising Committee

    The Fundraising committee develops fundraising strategies, campaigns, and events.

    Finance Committee 

    The Finance Committee, which consists of the members of the board of trustees plus 4-7 additional members with experience in finance, nonprofit management and similar areas, focuses on financial problem-solving and strategic planning. It also provides oversight and support to the board Treasurer.  

    Greeter Corps

    Members of the Greeters Corps (aka "Greeters") assist at the front door to welcome members and guests. They receive training in situational awareness and other safety protocols to make sure that everyone -- member and guest alike -- who comes through our doors has a welcoming experience and remains safe while they're with us. The Greeter Corps is lead by two co-Coordinators who also serve as our liaisons with Jewish Federation of Cleveland (JFC) Security, which provides us with guidance and training. In addition, JFC Security guards are stationed in our parking lot within sight of the front doors in case a first responder is needed.

    Hesed Helpers

    Hesed means "loving kindness". Our Hesed Helpers 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 transitions such as new parenthood. We ensure minyans for shiva services, send gifts and cards as appropriate, and may mobilize a phone tree to contact members about timely matters. Our small committee can provide these acts because over the course of the year, nearly all of our members help in some way or other. If you have a need, know someone who does, or would like to volunteer to help, please contact the Hesed co-chairs.

    High Holy Days Committee

    Each year our tradition of participation can be seen in the work of the High Holy Days Committee which helps coordinate 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 play a part – large or small – in this process.

    Holidays Committee

    Organizing our holiday celebrations – Hanukkah, Purim, Simchat Torah, Sukkot, Tu B'shvat, and more – is the mission of our newly-reconvened Holidays Committee. This committee works with the rabbi and other staff to bring us community-wide holiday celebrations that encourage intergenerational relationships.

    Marketing

    Our marketing committee creates strategy and opportunities designed to better communicate and strenthen our brand and messaging, and attract new members to the community. This committee's work permeates many of the activities being undertaken across our community.

    Membership Committee

    This committee helps engage new members in community life and works to keep all members connected to the community and each other. 

    • The Welcoming Team is a subcommittee of the Membership Committee which responds to inquiries about membership, makes contact with prospective members, and welcomes new members so that they "find their people" within the larger community. 
    • The Calling Team makes good and wellness calls to check in on members we see less often.

    Pandemic Advisory Committee (PAC)

    Throughout the pandemic and its aftermath, a much-appreciated team of physicians and epidemiologists have met regularly to evaluate COVID-19 data and make recommendations to the board, which sets our COVID policy.

    Religious Practices Committee

    Our Religious Practices Committee (RPC) works closely with Rabbi Steve to arrange for our Shabbat and holiday services. Their work includes guiding the creation of Shabbat practices with input from the community and training and recruiting service leaders, leyners (Torah chanters)and Torah Study leaders. The RPC also determines many of our ritual practices, e.g., how we handle kashrut, and may make recommendations on guidelines for related matters, such as Shabbat Practice Guidelines, the role of non-Jews in Kol HaLev rituals, and our B'nai Mitzvah celebrations, for Board approval. See our Services page.

    Song Circle

    The Kol HaLev Song Circle is for everyone who would love to sing Jewish and secular music with friends. We are not a performing group, although we have led the congregation in a group sing from time to time. All voices and instruments are welcome, no experience or special talent required! We meet on the third Shabbat of every month in person at Ratner, at 1 pm following services. Bring your Rise Up Singing songbook if you have one!

    Space Committee

    The Space Committee researches and advises the board on decisions about our sacred space and our office space.

    Tikkun Olam Committee (formerly Social Action)

    This committee's mission is to provide our members with opportunities for tikkun olam (repairing the world), planning various avenues in which one may give of themselves, from opportunties for donations of food, time, or money to a food bank, aiding a housing project for the homeless, or political action initiatives in support of local needs.

    Kol HaLev is also a founding and active member of Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), non-partisan organization of faith communities and partner organizations in Cuyahoga County working together to build power for social justice. Many of our members participate in GCC activities and initiatives and have contributed to systemic change in health care and education. 

    Youth and Family Education (YFE) Committee

    This committee addresses the educational needs of our children and provides support to our educators.

    Committee service is a great way to be involved in Kol HaLev life, but there are also many other ways to participate in the community.  Click here for more ways to participate!