Kol HaLev, Cleveland's Reconstructionist Jewish Community, invites you to explore your Judaism with our joyful, creative, intellectually curious, welcoming community. Welcome to Kol HaLev, Cleveland’s Reconstructionist Jewish Community
"We’re evolving together in every way, not just for the sake of change, but for the sake of learning, and for finding meaning and value." We began in 1992 as a sma
ll group who came together out of an interest in Reconstructionist Judaism and a desire to create Jewish experiences that combine creativity and critical thinking, comfort and challenge, innovation and tradition. Today Kol HaLev is a community of nearly 150 households who continue to build an open, fulfilling environment for celebrating our Judaism and supporting meaningful communal and personal growth. We’re a welcoming, inclusive community with a commitment to social justice. Members from varied backgrounds and ages share creative worship services and learning opportunities, holiday celebrations and life cycle events, many of which are planned and co-led by our members, with the hands-on guidance and resources of our spiritual leader, Rabbi Steve Segar. Even as we continue to grow in size and opportunities, Kol HaLev’s personal, friendly atmosphere thrives. Our name, Kol HaLev means “voice of the heart” in Hebrew; from our innovative youth education program to our participatory governance, all of our members’ voices are engaged and respected, along with the voices of our tradition. The Kol HaLev Vision
We are a sacred Jewish community that celebrates the Divine, builds meaningful human connections and repairs the world. The Kol HaLev Values
A learning community spanning and bridging generations
A participatory egalitarian community committed to open and democratic decision making grounded in Jewish traditions and contemporary perspectives
A welcoming community embracing a diversity of life experiences and Jewish journeys
A warm, caring community nurturing connection and support among its members
A vibrant spiritual community celebrating and cultivating self expression and holiness in the rhythms of Jewish life
An involved community dedicated to Israel, Reconstructionist Judaism and repairing the world
The Kol HaLev Mission
Kol HaLev is a vibrant Reconstructionist Jewish community dedicated to the continuity and evolution of our people and tradition. We are a welcoming community that embraces a diversity of life experiences and Jewish journeys and fosters connections, communication and support among our members. We are a spiritual community celebrating and cultivating self-expression and holiness in the rhythms of Jewish life through thoughtful rituals, meaningful religious services and joyful celebrations. We are a learning community providing creative and engaging Jewish educational experiences encompassing youth, adult and intergenerational programming. We are an involved and caring community, serving the needs of both our members and broader society, dedicated to Israel, Reconstructionist Judaism, and repairing the world (tikkun olam). We are a fiscally responsible and participatory community, sustained by our members' financial commitments, voluntary efforts and involvement in our open, democratic decision-making process. What is Reconstructionist Judaism? Kol HaLev is a member of the Jewish Reconstructionist movement. Reconstructionism developed out of the creative Jewish thinking and living of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the first half of the 20th Century. Rabbi Kaplan defined Judaism as the “evolving religious civilization of the Jewish People.” For Reconstructionists, Judaism is what the Jewish people make it. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to actively create a Jewish way of life that reflects both the richness of our tradition and contemporary American life.
