Kol HaLev—Voice of the Heart—honors Judaism’s traditions in a contemporary and diverse congregation located in Lutherville, MD. Families find a welcoming spiritual community offering multi-generational activities and a B-Mitzvah program designed for preteens living in today’s complex world.
Kol HaLev draws from the richness of Jewish traditions while practicing a Judaism relevant to our current lives. A member of the Jewish Reconstructionist movement, we emphasize democratic participation and inclusivity within our community, and share a commitment to social responsibility, compassion, and deep respect for our Jewish culture and traditions.
The congregation’s multi-generational activities present an engaging way to learn more about Jewish liturgical and artistic traditions. A partnership between Kol HaLev and Art with a Heart, facilitates a unique monthly “Sunday School” of family art workshops, creating opportunities for parents, children, and extended families to share inspiration, ideas, and hands-on artmaking.
Each workshop begins by introducing a timely Jewish theme, usually connected to an upcoming holiday, and follows with a hands-on opportunity to explore community, art, and Judaism. According to Art with a Heart’s Anna Gallahan, “By weaving in Jewish content, the hands-on projects celebrate culture, heritage, and shared values while allowing families to collaborate, share stories, and strengthen connections across generations.”
“I became a rabbi for many reasons,” says Rabbi Emily Stern. “As a child, I had positive associations with Hebrew School and the holidays. At Kol HaLev, we aim to create those kinds of healthy, joyful associations with our families. Our Sunday school meets just once a month, and everyone is welcome: Parents, grandparents, siblings, and cousins of all ages and artistic abilities.”
Celebrating a child’s passage to teenager has traditionally held special importance in Jewish life. Kol HaLev’s B-Mitzvah program focuses on the process of “becoming a teen”, promoting dialogue between parents and preteens and addressing the social and emotional needs of fifth, sixth, and seventh graders. The B-Mitzvah program draws on Jewish teachings and rituals to address current issues in the lives of our families.
Kol HaLev uses the experiential Moving Traditions B-Mitzvah Family Education Program. Moving Traditions’ approach inspires connection to Jewish community by centering on human development and the parent-child relationship. Our congregation’s B-Mitzvah cohort is the next step of personal, joyful exploration and growth for fifth, sixth, and seventh graders. Periodic gatherings with families enable an added layer of holistic understanding that continues to involve both the student and family.
Kol HaLev member, Jennifer, writes that: “KHL’s B-Mitzvah program centered our child’s experience and that of her peers within a broader context of what it means to be part of a community, family, and synagogue. The experience brought us together as a family, along with other families, to share and learn from each other. Both of my children have gone through the B-Mitzvah program with Rabbi Emily and have thrived by spending time and learning from her. She is patient, kind, and so clearly interested in the children as individuals. It has been a wonderful experience for our family.”
At Kol HaLev, Judaism’s traditions and rituals guide the strengthening of family connections. The multigenerational Art with a Heart “Sunday School” and B-Mitzvah programs are a part of Kol HaLev’s contemporary Judaism.
We invite you to join with us and Art with a Heart as we decorate the sukkah. Regular sessions, the first Sunday of the month, are held at AWAH headquarters, 3000 Falls Road. Everyone is welcome!
October 5 @ 10:00 am (All ages) 130 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville, MD
We will also hold our first B-Mitzvah cohort gathering in the sukkah. Together, we will explore commonly held beliefs about B-Mitzvah and Judaism, our expectations of teenage life, and the transformative ritual of B-Mitzvah.
October 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (Families with children in grades 5-7) 130 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville, MD
For more information about both Sunday programs, please contact us at [email protected]
To learn more about Kol Halev, visit our website. https://www.kolhalevmd.org/
