Welcome to Kolot HaLev
Kolot HaLev – Voices of the Heart – is Greater Washington, DC's independent community choir focusing on Jewish choral music.
Love of Music and Community
Kolot haLev is actively looking for singers of all voice parts interested in singing with us and sharing a love of Jewish music. No audition — just your love of learning and singing Jewish choral music, plus a strong commitment. Experience the exhilaration of blending your voice with others!
Meet our musical director, Hazzan Dr. Ramón Tasat
In this performance of Adon Olam by Kolot HaLev, the prayer is sung to the rousing melody of “Asa Branca” by Luiz Gonzaga and Humberto Teixeira.
Upcoming Events
Stayed tuned for upcoming details.
SPECIAL FEATURE
On Sunday, March 10th, 2024, honored the contribution of Jewish England
The major work to be performed is Eshet Hayil (A Woman of Valor), composed by Judith Silver, a London-based contemporary composer. Eshet Hayil was commissioned in 2020, but delayed due to the pandemic. Participants will also be learning B’rikh Rahamana, another wonderful composition by Judith Silver.
Our musical celebration will include Barukh haBa and ‘Ose Shalom, compositions of the Spanish-Portuguese community of London, as well as Hodo ‘al Eretz by F. Mendelssohn. We will conclude with The Prayer by David Foster, a composition asking for peace in the world.
Participants split into groups by voice and come together at the end of the day for a combined performance.
Anyone interested in singing can participate.
For the yearly Jewish Choral Festivals, there is no requirement to belong to a choral organization, to be Jewish, to be an experienced singer, to have knowledge of Hebrew, or to live within the Greater Washington area. All are welcome.
Past Events
Azkarah for Oct. 7 Victims
WHAT? Prayer and song can unite. Participate in (or listen to) an inclusive, apolitical choral performance. Our purpose is to remember and to unify through song. Through diverse compositions, the event will offer a space for reflection, and collective mourning. Please tell anyone that you think might be interested. The event will feature the premiere of an original composition, performed by...
MJCR4 – 4th Maryland Jewish Choral Festival
Jewels in the Crown - The Sounds of Jewish England Sunday, March 10, 2024 • 12–6 pm EDT
Olney Theatre Fiddler Prelude
December 10, 2023 | 12:30pm | Olney Theater 2001 Olney - Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832 Kolot HaLev sings at the Olney Theatre as a prelude to the performance of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Israel Relief Concert
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 | 7:00 pm with participation by KOLOT Halev Hazzan Ramón Tasat, Artistic Director Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016 Cantors from over 15 congregations will gather for one special evening of song. 100% OF TICKET SALES SUPPORTED FEDERATION’S ISRAEL CRISIS...
Silence the Violence
Silence the Violence (STV) Concert October 14, 2023 | 7:30pm Kolot HaLev sang at the 8th annual concert as a benefit for The TraRon Center, a non-profit in DC that uses art therapies for healing kids and their families traumatized by gun...
Tefilah Limdinat Israel
Prayer for the State of Israel October 12 at 8:30 PM to learn and sing together Music by Dr. Norma Brooks at Ohr Kodesh Congregation, Chevy Chase, MD
Annual Concert 2023 – Buena Semana
Buena Semana/ A New Week Jewish Music Across the Americas The concert traced Jewish immigration to the Americas in song, showing how melodies encountered on new shores found their way into music composed for texts essential to Jewish life. Here are some examples from our concert:. The Kolot HaLev Annual Concert 2023 took place on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at Ohr Kodesh...
MJCF3 – Etz Haim Hi
The 3rd Maryland Jewish Choral Festivalwas held February 5, 2023 THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED AND HELPED MAKE OUR CHORAL FESTIVAL A SUCCESS!
Choral Music for the New Year 2022
It was an afternoon of singing together in the spirit of the High Holidays. Choral compositions were by Emil Jonas, Naomi Shemer, Abba Joseph Weisgal, Emanuel Abraham Aguilar – remarkable composers whose works have the power to shape our insight. Here is one selection, or you may see the whole playlist by clicking the button...
MJCF2 – Azkara
In case you missed the 2nd Maryland Jewish Choral Festival, we offer you the chance to view the professionally-produced video of the performance of Azkara, Simon Sargon’s beautiful and moving piece. https://youtu.be/rerQASkxGxk?si=bqVV_cXEslnnptJ0 The 2nd Maryland Jewish Choral...
Take a look at our NEW video page!
See the choir perform, hear the harmonies, watch the soloists, take in the setting, and be inspired by the lyrics.
Join us at any rehearsal!
Thursdays at 7:00 at Ohr Kodesh Congregation
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Questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you.
Kolot HaLev, Inc. is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government,
the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and the Maryland State Council on the Arts.
