Kol HaLev is a Jewish congregation where tradition and modern life meet through shared prayer, music, relationships, and open exploration.
Kol HaLev-“Voice of the Heart”-refers to an inner, intuitive guide representing one’s authentic self. At Kol HaLev, every voice matters.
The Voice of the Heart emphasizes listening to inner feelings like love and compassion, essentials for living a full life. That voice serves as an internal compass, aligning actions with true desires, values, and passions. It is about speaking from the soul or essence, connecting with oneself, and communicating with presence. At Kol HaLev, we believe Judaism is most meaningful when lived together and shared. Prayer and listening guide us as we join together and support one another.
Rabbi Emily Stern guides the Kol HaLev congregation. Her approach is grounded in relationship and listening. Through her teaching, music, and pastoral care, Rabbi Emily helps create a community where people feel inspired, connected, and supported in their Jewish lives. She leads with warmth, wisdom, and deep spiritual authenticity. Her presence is personal and relational, not distant or hierarchical. She knows her congregants by name, listens deeply, and builds genuine connections. At Kol HaLev, people recognize you, welcome you without judgment, and encourage you to join as your true self.
A senior congregant said: “Rabbi Emily expresses such deep empathy for my struggles and such genuine joy in my triumphs, saying just the right words I need and want to hear, in just the right tone that I know in my bones her heart and soul are with me. She is brilliantly loving, caring, and emotionally and spiritually intelligent, a precious gem we’re so fortunate to be with.”
Music, the heartbeat of Kol HaLev, shapes how we pray and connect.. Services include music with guitar, viola, and the congregation’s participation. Participatory songs, led and often written by Rabbi Emily, cantorial soloist Mara Yaffee, and our member musicians, enable congregants to feel present and connected. For many, music opens a doorway into prayer.
A recently joined member says: “Services are filled with participatory song. Singing together opens hearts and builds connection…It makes services feel alive, meaningful, and accessible.”
Kol HaLev’s Jewish community attracts individuals and families with many backgrounds and philosophies. We affirm the importance of social justice and social action. We value Jewish wisdom and ritual, and also make space for conversation and reflection. At Kol HaLev, we encourage people to explore Judaism thoughtfully, bringing their own experiences and questions into a shared community life.
People are welcomed and invited to participate as they feel comfortable, knowing they will be heard. We have created a community where relationships grow and conversations matter.
“At Kol HaLev, questions are encouraged,” stated a congregant. “Multiple perspectives are welcomed. There is no expectation to believe or practice in a single prescribed way. Spiritual honesty and thoughtful exploration are valued.”
Kol HaLev is rooted in Reconstructing Judaism, drawing from Jewish tradition while engaging with modern life. We honor the wisdom of those who came before, respond to the needs of the present, and remain open to the future. Torah shapes our learning, the Jewish calendar shapes our year, and a commitment to justice shapes how we act in the world. This approach welcomes people with many beliefs and questions, where exploration and conversation are part of community life.
“At Kol HaLev we understand Judaism as a living, evolving faith shaped by history, community, and individual choice,” explained a member of the congregation’s Service Leadership program. “We honor Jewish wisdom and practice while inviting people to engage thoughtfully, ask questions, and discover a Jewish life that feels relevant and alive in the world today.”
Many people come to Kol HaLev looking for a synagogue and discover something deeper. Kol HaLev can be a place where you can grow, reflect, and discover a Judaism that resonates with who you are and who you are becoming.
At Kol HaLev, the Voice of the Heart, you can expect an experience that touches your life, not just your calendar.
You will not have to fit a mold or prove what you believe. We respect your questions, doubts, and spiritual path, and your presence will matter from the moment you arrive.
Under Rabbi Emily’s leadership, you can join a warm community where people know your name, listen to your story, and care about you.
Through music-filled, participatory services, prayer becomes something felt, not just words on a page. Singing together creates moments of joy and connection to yourself and others.
We celebrate and share life’s meaningful moments together, and support each other through illness or loss. Many members describe Kol HaLev as a family by choice.
Rooted in Reconstructing Judaism, Kol HaLev invites thoughtful exploration rather than rigid answers. You will encounter teachings and conversations that feel relevant, honest, and meaningful.
Kol HaLev offers room to connect with yourself, explore your spirituality, and deepen your sense of purpose in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.
Rabbi Emily Stern’s warmth, wisdom, and accessibility shape every aspect of community life, creating an atmosphere that feels caring, grounded, and deeply human.
Whether to yourself, to other people, or to Jewish life, Kol HaLev is a place where connection grows and becomes part of your life.
