Steering Committee, Officers & Committees

The following is a brief description of the committees that have been established by the Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community.

Each committee is under the leadership of one to three community members. As more people become involved and express an interest and/or expertise in establishing and chairing additional committees, we will do so.

If you would like either to join a committee or develop a new committee (or if you would like more information about a committee) please e-mail admin@kolamivirginia.org, and your request/comments will be forwarded to the appropriate individual. Or feel free to write directly to our President, Vice-President, or Children’s Program Chair.

Adult Jewish Education Committee – This committee plans and implements Jewish education programs for adults, focusing on Jewish religious and cultural topics.

Care and Concern Committee – The Care and Concern Committee offers physical and emotional support to Kol Ami members facing problems of loneliness, aging, illness, disability, grief, or death, by providing home visits and phone calls, sending cards, meeting transportation and food needs, attending Shiva services, remembering yahrzeits, maintaining the healing list, and providing the community with healing services and educational programs.

Children & Family – The Children & Family Committee organizes and runs Kol Ami’s Jewish Children’s Education Program (JCEP), multiple family-friendly holiday celebrations each year, and helps with the B’Nai Mitzvah Program. JCEP is a small school with approximately 20-30 students, taught by volunteer teachers from the Kol Ami Community, and focused on Hebrew language skills and Jewish Studies. Annual family-friendly holiday celebrations we organize include High Holiday Children’s Services, Hanukkah, Tu BiShvat, Purim, and a JCEP-led Shabbat service/pizza party.

Honors Committee – The Honors Committee identifies Kol Ami members whose contribution to the community has been exceptional. It proposes them for recognition as Kol Amites of the Year or as recipients of the Hineni Award.

Membership Committee – The Membership Committee provides a personalized welcome to new and potential members in order to help new members find a fulfilling home in our congregation. The membership committee also reaches out to departing members to better understand why Kol Ami was no longer meeting their needs.

Ritual Committee – The Ritual Committee plans the Ritual calendar of services and establishes policy with regard to religious services and other activities (i.e. Passover Seder). Its work  includes: food and kashrut issues, format for services, adherence to holiday customs and ceremonies, and answers to questions about established ritual issues. Members of this committee might have skills and/or interest in leading lay-led services. This committee also interfaces with Kol Ami’s rabbinic support.

Tikkun Olam Committee – The Tikkun Olam Committee seeks out and organizes opportunities for volunteer action.

Kol Ami Officers

July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018

Kol Ami Steering Committee & Committee Chairs

July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018