“Above almost any other need, human beings long to have another person look into their faces with love and acceptance.”
David Brooks, Give the Gift of Your Attention, NYTimes 10/22/23
Dear Lab/Shul Community,
Five days ago my friend and teacher, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, posted on his social media: “My soul hurts.” It was both surprising and heartening to see such a prominent Jewish leader be so publicly vulnerable. I needed that. To see – both as a leader and as a human being – how showing vulnerability can provide a sense of belonging and is essential to the human experience.
The tumultuous events unfolding in the Israel/Gaza war, leading to an exponential increase of anti-semitism worldwide, have brought a storm of emotions within me, many of which I have grappled with silently. I’ve experienced moments of crippling fear and bouts of paralyzing depression. I share this not out of a need for consolation (I’m OK…sort of), but to resonate with what many of you might be feeling during these challenging times, and to say: You are not alone.
Now, more than ever, it is evident that community, connection, and support play an indispensable role in our well-being.
Lab/Shul is here for you, on the front lines of spiritual care.
Beginning this Wednesday and continuing every week through December 20th, we will host “Heart Circles”, sacred spaces of refuge – online and free of charge – where we can open our hearts, check in on one another, and share compassion, resources, and care. Heart Circles will be facilitated by the Lab/Shul ritual team and mental health professionals from the Lab/Shul Partnerhood. Register here.
Additionally, I am excited to announce our 2nd annual Community Retreat from December 8-10 at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center. This multi-generational Shabbaton will be an opportunity to immerse ourselves deeper into our community’s embrace, find solace in our collective wisdom, and rejuvenate our spirits on 400 acres of forest and meadows, while enjoying delicious farm to table vegetarian cuisine. Register here.
In this Sunday’s NYTimes, David Brooks writes about the essential skills for being human: Ask better questions; really listen; be vulnerable; make others feel known. We’ll invoke these skills and more, as we witness each other, our stories and accept each other for who we are right now.
The path ahead might still be fraught with uncertainty and pain, but it is the light of hope, the bonds of community, and our collective resilience that will guide us forward. Together, we can find the strength to face what might seem insurmountable.
Looking forward to seeing you there and drawing strength from each other’s presence.
With hope and solidarity,
Sarah Sokolic
Co-Founder & Executive Director
