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robyn novickHAGIGA HAPPENINGSIt is with much excitement that I share that we were just awarded a “PJ Goes To School” Grant from the HaroldGrinspoon Foundation, the wonderful people who support the PJ Library program. This grant provides booksappropriate for Zorim (Kindergarten – grade 2) educational instruction and mentorship. Our particular grant is ajoint venture of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and the Grinspoon Foundation, as the educational piece isuniquely Reconstructionist.This program is perfect for our community! We have a strong emphasis on using literatureto teach values, as well as utilize experiential elements to reinforce the concepts that we arelearning. I believe that we, both Hagiga and PJ Library, are looking for the same outcome:moving learning into living. As the PJ Library website explains:PJ Goes to School (PJGtS) is a companion program to PJ Library to enhance the Jewish content ofclassrooms. It works to strengthen the connection between home, school, and community by fosteringcollaboration and conversation the same way PJ Library inspires dialogue in the home.PJGtS is in approximately 500 classrooms in 20 PJ Library communities and growing. The program workswith both preschool classrooms and complementary schools for kindergarten to second grade.PJ Goes to School is not a curriculum, and it is not prescriptive: We use, at our core, the creativity and spirit of each teacher. We weave Jewish values throughout each school's existing programs. We support schools as they inspire Jewish conversations in the classroom and in the home.As each week of Hagiga is a unique and self-contained program, each meeting can utilize a new book from ourgrowing collection. I have the great fortune to participate in an educational webinar series with nationally-renowneducators, as well as eight other Reconstructionist educators participating in the program. It is truly chevruta(traditional small group learning) in which we can learn and work collaboratively with people all over NorthAmerica.This month the Zorim will read and discuss the first of our PJ Goes to Shul books, The Mitten String by JenniferRosner. It is a lovely book that discusses the values of Love Your Neighbor as Yourself, Hospitality, and Not Curingthe Deaf, nor Placing a Stumbling Block before the Blind. It should be a wonderful lesson about how we treatothers and Embrace the Mosaic.Kol Tuv,RobynRabbinic Corner, continued from page 3From this perspective, it is natural to question whether the plagues -- punishments afflicting the entire Egyptianpopulation -- is in fact morally justifiable. The fact that apparently innocent Egyptians were forced to suffer in thisway significantly complicates the moral voice of the narrative.It is my intention and hope to further explore this and similar questions at our pre-trial adult education session onWednesday evening April 6 and we can all look forward to this argument being brought to life at the mock trial, ThePeople vs. Moses, on April 17.Rabbi Stevemarch 2016Page 4Kol HaLev Happenings

hesedWe send wishes for a refuah shleimah, a complete and speedy healing, to Abe Chasin, Fred andMarsha Chenin, Margaret Cohen, Adina Davidson, Selma Gwatkin, Dick Jones, Ron Kohn, BenLewis, Marilyn Litvene, Julio and Aurelia Pelsmajor, Pauline Raymond and Linda Sylte.We would love to hear from you if you or another Kol HaLev member you know of would like to beincluded on this list.Thanks to Molly Berger for serving as the February Monthly Coordinator. During the month,members cooked and delivered meals, provided rides, sent cards and attended shiva minyanim.Can We Count on You?The work of the Hesed committee depends on the willingness of communitymembers to say “YES” when requests for support go out. We almost always are ableto be there for one another. Unfortunately, right now we are looking for more of you tobe involved in order to support one another in a sustaining way. We are looking for: Monthly Co-ordinators. This role changes from month to month, depending on theparticular needs of our members. In general, it usually involves a few hours of one’stime. Martha and Robin are always available to help out when needed.Cooking Party Co-ordinator(s). The board authorized a Hesed Fund to receivedonations, and we hope to use these funds to prepare meals to be ready whenemergency situations come up and there isn’t time for member-prepared meals. Wehave had a good response to previous requests for volunteers, but we are still lookingfor a couple of people to step forward to coordinate this event.Shiva Volunteers. We would love to see a larger pool of people who are committedto attending shiva minyanim. Often these take place with little time to rearrangeschedules. The more people we have in the pool will the likelier it is that we will havea minyan for this vital support for our mourners.If you are able to help in these specific ways or would like to talk with us aboutgetting more involved in Hesed support, please be in touch with Robin orMartha. We are always happy to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.Thank you so much for all you do to help create a wonderful, caring community.If you wish to participate in the work of the Hesed Committee, or if you know of anyone who may needthe support of our committee, please contact Rabbi Steve or Robin Holzman (robinholzman@gmail.com) and Martha Schubert (marthaschubert@mac.com), Hesed Co-chairs.march 2016Page 5Kol HaLev Happenings

The People vs. Moses, continued from page 1witnessing gifted legal talent argue against and defendthe actions of King David, Eve, Abraham, and Joseph’sBrothers. This year’s legal talent is truly exceptional. Ahearty welcome back to Steven Dettelbach, partner atthe law firm BakerHostetler and former U.S. Attorneyfor the Northern District of Ohio, who will reprise hisrole as Prosecuting Attorney. Defense counsel for Moses is Charna Sherman, President, Charna E. Sherman Law Offices. We look forward to their vigorousargumentation before The Honorable Michael J. Ryan,Juvenile Court Judge for Cuyahoga County Court ofCommon Pleas, whom we’re pleased to welcome asour Presiding Judge.Our legal team brings interesting and diverse perspectives to their roles. Judge Ryan's recently published autobiography, The Least Likely, chronicles how a childborn to a 14-year-old mother and whose father went toprison overcame those circumstances through a commitment to education and perseverance and became ajudge. Charna Sherman is recognized nationally as anadvocate for breaking down the barriers women havefaced in the legal profession, and recently foundedthe "Ruby Shoes Fund" to support new initiatives toempower women to succeed in the profession. StevenDettelbach recently returned to his position as a partnerat BakerHostetler after serving for almost seven yearsas U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.Among Dettelbach's major achievements as U.S. Attorney are the successful political corruption prosecutionsof Jimmy Dimora and other former county officials,and negotiating a settlement with the CityLike “Theof Cleveland over police use of excessivePeople vs.force.Moses” on“I expect to seethe sparks flyingat this year's trialwith Dettelbach andSherman as opposing counsel" saysKol HaLev memberAlan Weinstein, whoserves as the mocktrial committee’sliaison with bothCleveland-MarshallCollege of Law andmarch 2016Facebook to learnmore about ourstellar cast, andthe social, ethicaland legal ideasunderlyingthis year’schoice ofdefendant.And please sharewidely!the event’s legal cast members, helping formulate thecharges and instructions to the jury.The notion of religion as a tool of, or excuse for, violence comes into sharp relief when reflecting on thestory of the Exodus from Egypt. We live in a worldin which horrific acts done in the name of God andreligion are tragically common. While our mock trialshave always highlighted ourshared humanity, it has neverbeen more important to use thisforum to foster deeper understanding, connection and comNatalie Kertes Weaver, Ph.D.mon ground between peopleacross religions and beliefs.We have chosen our panelists withthis opportunity in mind. Theyare: The Reverend Richard M.Gibson, Pastor, Elizabeth BaptistChurch; Natalie Kertes Weaver,Ph.D, Chair and Associate Professor of Religious Studies, UrsulineCollege; and Rabbi Nancy FuchsKreimer, Ph.D,Rev. Richard GibsonDirector, Department of Multifaith Studies andInitiatives and Associate Professorof Religious Studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College inPhiladelphia. All three have doneformidable work at the intersection of religion, violence and socialRabbi Nancy Fuchsjustice.Kreimer, Ph.D.Our theatrical format, combined with the audience participation and rousing interfaith dialogue, has served KolHaLev well in introducing the creativity and nuancedperspectives of Reconstructionist Judaism to a diverselocal audience. And as a fundraising event, it has provided substantial new means to help with the costs ofoperating Kol HaLev.Our success would not be possible without supportfrom our generous sponsors: The Leon and GloriaPlevin Fund; Cleveland-Marshall College of Law;Reminger Co., LPA; The Laura & Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program at Case Western Reserve Unicontinued on page 7Page 6Kol HaLev Happenings

The People vs. Moses, continued from page 6versity; Ursuline College Department of Theological andPastoral Studies; J.A.C. Business Communications Inc.;and media sponsors 90.3 WCPN / ideastream and TheCleveland Jewish News. We applaud and thank them allfor modeling this community-building behavior.Sponsorship opportunities are still available: To inquireabout the benefits of promoting your business or organization before this diverse, sophisticated audience, pleasecontact Greg Selker at 216-593-0400.More of our Mock TrialsFor a taste of our past fourenthralling mock trials, youcan listen to audio recordings,thanks to our partnershipwith ideastream , who alsorebroadcasts our mock trials on90.3 WCPN several weeks afterthe live events. Access the audiorecordings on the Kol HaLevwebsite at kolhalev.net/peoplevs-mock-trials.)Tickets for “The People vs. Moses” are on sale NOW.Purchase online at www.kolhalev.net/trial, or use the order form in this newsletter and mail in your order. Tickets are 30 - 125; top ticket price includes seats closeto the action, and a private catered hors d’oeuvres reception with the cast, immediately before the trial. Discounted tickets for students are available (students only, ID required). Continuing Legal Educationcredits (CLEs) are pending for attending attorneys through CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.Please bring your friends and colleagues and join us for what promises to be a fun and transformativeevening! Your participation is what makes it truly special.Before the Trial: april 6 Adult Education sessionBut wait -– there’s more! To help us all prepareour minds and whet our appetites for the trialevent, Rabbi Steve Segar will lead an adult education session on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.at Siegal College’s Beachwood building, 26500Shaker Boulevard, Beachwood.Free of charge and open to the community, theeducation session will focus on the range of waysPharoah and the Egyptians have been portrayed inJewish texts.James Jacques Joseph Tissot, Pharaoh and HisDead Son, from The Old Testament, c. 1896-1902“The Exodus story is typically told from the soli- tary perspective of the Jewish people’sexperience of enslavement and redemption,” says Rabbi Steve. “Pharaoh and the Egyptians areportrayed as ‘the bad guys’. Our texts and traditions often frame groups and individuals labeledas ‘enemies’ in a very black and white way; but of course there are always other sides to thestory. On April 6, we’ll look at finding the humanity in our supposed enemies, to help us viewthe story and its characters in a more holistic way.”march 2016Page 7Kol HaLev Happenings

presentsSunday, April 17, 7:30pmCleveland-Marshall College of Law Moot Courtroom on the CSU CampusWere the lives of thousands of Egyptianstoo high a price for freedom?Join Kol HaLev and a cast of legal, religious,and academic all-stars* for this live court roomdrama, and YOU, the audience, will decide!Then, join a rousing interfaith discussionon the ethical implications of Moses’ actions,still intensely relevant in our own times.Tickets 30 - 125 on sale at kolhalev.net/trialOr use the mail-in order form in this newsletter 125 best seats pre-trial private hors d’oeuvres reception with the cast. Student prices & attorney CLEs available!*Starring: Steven M. Dettelbach, Partner, BakerHostetler and former U.S. Attorney Charna Sherman,President, Charna E. Sherman Law Offices The Honorable Michael J. Ryan, Judge, Cuyahoga County Courtof Common Pleas The Reverend Richard M. Gibson, Pastor, Elizabeth Baptist Church Natalie KertesWeaver, PhD, Chair and Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Ursuline College Rabbi Nancy FuchsKreimer, PhD, Director, Department of Multifaith Studies and Initiatives, Reconstructionist Rabbinical CollegeSponsors(to date):The Leon and Gloria Plevin FundPantone 2756 Bluemarch 2016Page 8Pantone 1797 RedKol HaLev Happenings

MAIL - IN TICKET ORDER FORMThe People vs. Moses Sunday, April 17, 7:30 pmTo pay with Mastercard or Visa, visit www.kolhalev.net/trial (convenience fees apply).YOU:Name: Phone:Company Name (if applicable):Address:City ST Zip: -Email (for order confirmation):Kol HaLev does not send unsolicited email or regular mail, nor we do share your information with others. However, wewould like to be able to share information about our programs.Yes, please send me information about Kol HaLev programs: by mail rby email rNo mail or email, please rTICKETS:# at 125 each* (premium seating pre-show private hors d’oeuvres reception with the cast)# at 60 each (main floor rear and front balcony seating)# at 30 each (rear balcony seating, limited availability)# at 15 each (STUDENTS ONLY, ID REQUIRED, rear balcony seating)x 125 x 60 x 30 x 15 # of ticket holders requesting Attorney CLE credits**I would like to make an additional tax-deductible donation to Kol HaLev:TOTAL ENCLOSED: *Buying more than 10 seats @ 125?Thank you! If we get your order before press time, we’ll list youas a Patron in the event program. How do you want to be listed?PAYMENT: r Check **CLE credits are complimentary with ticket purchase.Must check in at Continuing Ed table to receive credit.(Please make check out to Kol HaLev)To pay by Mastercard or Visa, visit www.kolhalev.net/trial beginning 3/1/16. Online convenience fees apply.MAIL IN: Complete this form and return with your full payment by check or money order to:Kol HaLev, Attn: Trial, 2245 Warrensville Center Rd. #215, University Hts, OH 44118Orders must be received BY APRIL 12, 2016. If the event is sold out prior to receipt of your order, you willbe contacted and your money returned. Otherwise, all sales are final; tickets are non-refundable. To pay withMastercard or Visa, visit www.kolhalev.net/trial. Kol HaLev does not take orders or reservations by phone. All tickets will be held at the door. Doors open at 6:45 pm. (6pm for private reception ticket holders) If you provide an email address above, you will receive an email confirmation of your order. A portion of your contribution may be tax-deductible; please consult your tax advisor. Attorneys requesting CLEs must arrive by 7:00 pm and check in at Continuing Ed table to receive proper forms.THANK YOU!march 2016Page 9Kol HaLev Happenings

HALLE BARNETTFROM OUR PRESIDENTWe are all “The Leadership”Balancing Personal and Community Needs with IntegrityI just have to tell you how excited I am by the work our Leadership Task Force is doing.The Leadership Task Force (LTF) was originally developed to help discern areas of Kol HaLev“business” for which our members could take more responsibility, specifically in order togive Rabbi Steve much-needed relief from administrative overload, allow him to focus onthe initiatives most essential to realizing our community vision, and best afford him opportunities to develop as ourspiritual leader and provide spiritual guidance to the membership.I’m quite confident those delightful ideals will be an outcome of the LTF’s work. And – through a focused,energizing, positive process that incorporates qualitative and quantitative input from the membership, the LTF hastaken the charge to a significantly more strategic level as well. It is looking at how we function as a communityintentionally created and sustained by volunteerism, and identifying the areas in which we need clarity, structure andimproved communication in order to retain and grow our communal sense of self-determination.There are four related areas of focus for the LTF:1.Volunteerism, Engagement, Motivation, Participation, Acknowledgement2.Training, Development, Mentoring, Coaching3.Process, Structure, Communication, Inter-Intra collaboration, Governance4.Leadership Identification and Ladder, Succession Planning, Pathways to ParticipationAs a community, we do SO much. At the end of the day, HOW we do it all is at least as important as what we do.Last month I talked about how helpful – and wise – it is to act on purpose at each phase of meeting goals, personal(like wanting to lose weight) and communal (like creating a responsible budget or planning the High Holy Days formaximal member satisfaction and minimal administrative stress). The work of the LTF takes that purposefulnessto heart, and asks, in planning all the “what” that we do, how can Kol HaLev be most relevant, realistic, andsustainable, all the while focused on our relationships with each other (truly our most valuable assets)?The LTF conversations, with community members and within the Task Force, have gotten me thinking about how weeach perceive our roles in the community. Formal roles, yes – our jobs in positions of leadership, and how we mentorothers to succeed us – but on a simple level, how we all hold each other’s hands to be the best intentional group wecan be!Each of us has a role to play. From breaking bread to managing finances and everything in between, each role isimportant. Each person’s energy and actions creates who we are as a group. “Showing up” as a representative of KolHaLev in the way we collectively agree we want to be together sustains us in practical and deeply spiritual ways.(The opposite is true as well, of course, and each action or bit of energy counter to our zeitgeist has the potential topull us away from our wholeness and integrity.)When the fruits of the LTF are pluck-able, there will be clearer pathways to impacting community success for eachperson, each task, each role. Every member will be more fully enabled and more effectively supported to puttingtheir energies toward those things that excite them which we agree as a community to prioritize, ultimately providingcontinued on page 11march 2016Page 10Kol HaLev Happenings

from our president, continued from page 10for a healthy, sustainable Kol HaLev. Improvement in these four key area has the potential to deepen ourconnections to each other as well as expand the possibilities inherent for us all, collectively and individually,including for Rabbi Steve’s personal experience as our spiritual leader.But indeed there is no waiting! There has always been exceptional evidence (made clear again in the recentcommunity conversations led by the LTF) that the way members “show up” in their roles every day ispowerfully creative of this experience we call Kol HaLev. And as such, we are evolving as we ought. (Ihave a very wise friend named Lina who is phenomenal at stepping back and seeing ‘the big picture’. Whensomeone describes a consequential, complicated new life experience they are having to Lina, one for whichthey may not feel prepared but which is apt for their age or stage, Lina often smiles and simply says, “you’reright on time.”)I invite you now to consider YOUR role in Kol HaLev as it is today: What is your “job description”? Thereis no right answer here, except to say that I hope what you discover in asking yourself that question issomething that makes you feel both personally fulfilled AND responsible for participating in enabling thatkind of experience for your fellow members. But I do invite you to write that “job description” down, andthink about how you show up with the kind of integrity of purpose that affords you that personal fulfillmentand enables you to

march 2016 Page 2 Kol HaLev Happenings Mailing Address & Offices: Kol HaLev 2245 Warrensville Center