We know it’s mid-August but are you ready for the New Jewish year yet? No Pressure! 

Today we are excited to launch our brand new High Holy Days of Awe season design. It’s been our tradition at Lab/Shul to officially launch the High Holy Days Season as soon as we rise from the rubble of Tisha B’Av, committed as a community to resilience, repair and renewal. 

Here we are again. 

At this complex and painful time, as we continue to grapple with the ongoing war and global turmoil, and with the critical elections here in the US, we have chosen to focus on a year-long theme that picks up where we left off last year – and invites us into a deeper process of personal introspection and connection with each other, for the greater good. 

At a time of such deep divisions, how can we show up more fully to honor each other’s differences and find common ground that will help us nurture hope and pave paths towards peace? 

Welcome to our theme for this year:
Face to Face – Forever/Now. L’Negdi Tamid. 

We are thrilled to share this new theme and artwork with you, specially designed by Eitan Kedmy, a friend of Lab/Shul and celebrated Israeli artist and teacher. He guides people of all ages in the art of mandala making – creating sacred geometry as a path of creative, personal and spiritual growth. 

What’s the story of this new theme? 

Each year, we develop an annual theme that launches with the High Holy Days and is our north star throughout the year. This year’s theme completes the three-year guided theme we began in 2022/5783: based on the oldest Jewish teaching tool for contemplation, Shiviti. 

The original Shiviti mantra of biblical origins includes four Hebrew words – “Shiviti YHWH L’negdi Tamid” 

Our brand new translation: 

Be Here: 

Everpresence

Face to Face 

Forever/Now.

  • Shiviti: In our first year, just coming out of COVID-19, we began with “SHIVITI ‘In the Presence of the Infinite’”…remember? It’s about the art of being here. 
  • Havaya: Last year – we moved to the 2nd word in the mantra: “Havaya/Everpresence” (yes, it’s a new God-word – we made it up!): a translation of an ancient Hebrew concept ‘HAVAYA’ – one of the most mysterious and sacred words that attempt to name the nameless. To jog your memory, HAVAYA means Being, Existence – or Everpresence. While the original Shiviti text uses the divine name YHVH, we joined the realm of medieval mystics seeking new, non-gendered, non-dual and nuanced ways to hide the original Divine Name – and redefine the divine in our lives. 
  • L’Negdi Tamid: Today, we present the final phase of our adaptation of the Shiviti power phrase. L’Negdi Tamid, inviting us individually and communally to face the unknown – face each other, face to face, forever/now — for better balance, leaning into love, rising up for justice. 

In true Lab/Shul fashion, we will continue to explore this potent theme – together during the days that lead into the new year and as we gather for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, in between and all year long. We look forward to your feedback as we explore and activate this sacred soul technology – together. 

Want to experience Eitan’s Art?
Stay tuned for more info on how Eitan’s art will inspire us during this season, live and online. See more links about his work below. While our High Holy Days programs will still be available virtually, we encourage you to join us in person as Eitan’s art will have an experiential element to engage with on site. 

REMINDER:
Early bird pricing is available through TONIGHT (8/15/24)!!!

Reserve Your Seat Today!

Did you know that Lab/Shul Partners receive 50% off? … Not a Partner yet? Interested in renewing your Partnerhood?

Join or Renew your Partnerhood

Interested in volunteering? Volunteers receive free admission on the day that they volunteer on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For more information and to sign up, please email Stephen Silva. 

As we cycle into the new year of 5785 – we express our gratitude to you for sharing these holy days with us – face to face, forever/now. 

May each day bring us more hope and healing. 

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More about artist Eitan Kedmy: