Dear Lab/Shul,
30 days…What can happen in 30 days? Worlds can change.
This past Sunday night I had the privilege of sharing ritual and music with over 300 people to spiritually mark the 30th day since the Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians. The program was hosted by Kavod v’Nichum and Shomer Collective, two Jewish organizations that offer resources for mourning, grief, loss and the ritual practices that accompany them.
In the days following the attack, many people responded by saying, There are no words.
But Rabbi Melanie Levav, Executive Director of Shomer Collective, shared a message of hope: “there are words”. There are rituals and ancient ideas that we can lean on in times of unspeakable loss. The thirty days practice, or Shloshim, invites a mourner to gather in community, to reflect in community, to learn in community, to grieve in community. The only grounding I have found in these past 30 days is when I was gathering in a supportive, loving, compassionate community – whether at Lab/Shul’s weekly Heart Circle or at our weekly Virtual Kaddish calls. And I look forward to more gathering at our monthly Sabbath Queen or quarterly Zen Shabbat.
Friends, for this reason, I’m truly eager to be with all of you at our upcoming Lab/Shul Community Retreat, to sing together, to heal, and yes, to laugh and experience joy. Please consider this your personal invitation.
30 days… How does one not let grief consume oneself when there is still such important work to do? We are still fighting for democracy – and invite you to use your voice and use your vote today, on Election Day (find your polling center). In keeping with our mission for social justice and democracy, we will soon be partnering with A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy to think strategically about how we as a community can support efforts to preserve and strengthen democracy in the United States. For more information, email Sam at sam@labshul.org.
A closing reminder: as much as you have been here for us on the Lab/Shul team – so many of you have been checking in on us – we are here for you as well. In this moment of unprecedented loss, despair and fear I’m grateful for this Lab/Shul community leaning into love and compassion.
May all who are mourning find comfort in this deep circle of love.
With Gratitude,
Naomi Less, Co-Founder, Associate Director & Ritual Leader
