Dear Lab/Shul,

In just over four weeks we will gather to “Celebrate Our Storytellers” at our annual spring Gala.

As part of our celebration we will honor Sandi DuBowski and recognize three extraordinary community members who have played a pivotal role in crafting the Lab/Shul we love today. We will shine a light on their journeys and contributions and how they exemplify the values and ethos of Lab/Shul.

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See below for a first look at these remarkable community members:
Sandi DuBowski / Gala Honoree

Sandi was one of the original investors in the co-creation of Lab/Shul in 2013. Since then he has served in various leadership roles in the community. He is a member of the Visionary Circle, one of the volunteer circle holders of the Kaddish Club, and previously a member of the Justice Team and the LGBTQ affinity group. Sandi has also produced more than a dozen Lab/Shul promotional and tribute videos.
Maryam Chishti / Community Leadership Award

Maryam served as a 2022 Fellow of the Jews of Color Initiative. During her placement at Lab/Shul Maryam she helped to lead community engagement efforts for multiple programs including “Seder Queen – A Jew Of Color-Centered Seder”, Zen Shabbat, “Sisters Count” during the Omer, and “Rise From Rubble” Interfaith Tisha B’av Program. After her fellowship concluded, Maryam continued working with Lab/Shul to support a wide range of programming. Maryam exemplifies Lab/Shul’s mission and ethos and is a model for the Jewish future.
Rima DuBowski / Jodi Cohen & L. Michael Graver Legacy Award
Rima is a compassionate and community-oriented person, widely recognized for her quiet acts of kindness and steadfast support for those in need. A native of Glendale, NY, and the daughter of Polish immigrants, Rima grew up in a complex social environment during WWII. Her early experiences in a German neighborhood with historical ties to Nazi sympathizers have profoundly shaped her empathetic and inclusive approach to community engagement throughout her lifetime. Rima has been a long lasting and active member of several organizations, including Hadassah and the National Council for Jewish Women.

CLICK TO READ MORE ABOUT RIMA
Libby Lenkinski / Shift/Maker Award

Libby is the founding President of Albi, a new fund, institute and lab built to power culture change in and about Israel-Palestine. She currently also serves as Vice President for Public Engagement at the New Israel Fund, where she has led all aspects of NIF’s public efforts in the United States for the last decade – including communications, digital, programs, events, leadership, community partnerships and engagement, New Generations and our fellowships. Prior to joining NIF, Libby lived and worked in the Israeli non-profit field for almost a decade.

At the Gala we will also screen select “behind the scenes” footage from Sandi’s Sabbath Queen film, documenting 21 years of Rabbi Amichai’s life journey. Following the screening will be a talkback and Q&A with Rabbi Amichai, Sandi and other producers of the film.

PLUS – Join us for a rockin’ After Party, including a “Bowling Bash” hosted by two of our favorite Lab/Shul artists with a Dance Party hosted by DJ Party Girl! More details to follow.

We hope that you will join us on June 18th in celebrating our community and in honoring Sandi and recognizing Maryam, Rima and Libby – Lab/Shulers who have nurtured this beloved experiment into an innovative and thriving community.

REGISTER HERE >

Can’t join us? We invite you to offer a blessing or words of well wishes to Lab/Shul, Sandi, or any of our award recipients with a contribution that works for you. Click here to send your blessing.

With love,
Sarah Sokolic,
Co-Founder, Executive Director