Dear Lab/Shul,
In her 2015 book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, author Elizabeth Gilbert writes, “I’ve never seen any life transformation that didn’t begin with the person in question finally getting tired of their own BS.” She’s spot on, right?
With the arrival of the month of Elul this Thursday (and the launch of our Days Of Awe!), the official season of personal reflection begins. Historically, my personal reflection has centered around being a more patient and compassionate life partner and parent, taking better care of my physical well-being, and mastering the art of saying “no”. More recently, I’ve added being a more engaged and active participant in the rise for social justice to the list. What will you be reflecting on this year?
If your response to this question is anywhere from “Ummm…I have no idea” to “Help! My list is way too long!” don’t fret. Lab/Shul’s got you. We invite you to join us for a season of transformation, challenging ourselves to face our own “BS” and start the year with resolve, by taking the “Shuvu Challenge”!
Check out Rabbi Amichai’s video on the private tasks, communal conversations, daily art, and guided reflections that we’ve developed for the Shuvu Challenges, click here to learn more!
This season is different from all other seasons and we are thrilled to be “labbing” our virtual Days of Awe programming with you, especially our new Days of Awe online platform. We are very excited about how user friendly the platform is and how it will elevate your overall experience with us this season. More details about the platform can be found on our website and if you have any questions, please email us at highholy@labshul.org.
May we all enter this new year with less fear, less BS and big magic.
With love and a long, deep breath,
Sarah
Sarah Sokolic, Lab/Shul Executive Director
60 Day Shuvu Challenge
Starting today, engage in daily online learning, reflection, conversations, and actions as we reckon with the racist reality of America and commit to anti-racist repair in our personal and public lives. This challenge will include two parts, the first led by Yavilah McCoy in partnership with the Jewish Emergent Network, and the second co-led by Rev. Derrick McQueen and Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.
30 Day Shuvu Challenge
Starting today, join a 30-day journey of reflection and preparation for the new year. Each day you’ll receive an email featuring an animated fragment from the poetic liturgy of the Days of Awe, created by Jacqueline, with commentary by Amichai and prompts for personal questions, creative responses, and communal connections.
Created by London based visual artist Jacqueline Nicholls and Rabbi Amichai.
6 Day Shuvu Challenge
Starting Sunday, join the first of six, hour-long sessions of experiential training in foundational meditation practices, bearing witness to yourself and others with embodied wisdom, compassion, and resilience.
Guided live by Rami Avraham Efal, dharma holder in the Zen Peacemakers lineage, with bonus content featuring inspirations, intention settings, and suggested practice.
