“Amazing
How everything looks
Unchanged,
Even
When nothing
Remains
The same.”

Michael Zatz, Illusion, written earlier this year, is included in the new anthology Shiva: Poems of October 7

This heartbreaking poem is one of many inspiring creations emerging this past year, inviting us to feel the pain, stand in solidarity with the sorrow, and do what we can to stop the violence and bring about a better day – the new year and for many years to come. You can read this poem and others in the digital playbill we created for our High Holy Days.

We began the new year at Lab/Shul with powerful prayers, soaring songs and inspiring intentions. We were joined by the Palestinian-Israeli Women of Vision who lit our candles with a prayer for peace. You can watch that prayer here. And we invite you to watch Rabbi Amichai’s Rosh Hashanah sermon: “Imagine Better”.
Watch Rabbi Amichai’s Sermon

Before we arrive at Yom Kippur, our hearts are feeling the weight of the days ahead. October 7th is tomorrow. How will we mark this dark day?:

  • YESTERDAY EVENING (10/6) we gathered in Manhattan: Israelis and Palestinians, Jewish, Muslim and Christian peacemakers, activists and faith leaders, holding space for grief and hurting, and lighting candles for our shared hope for healing and peace for all. On the eve of October 7th we gathered to remember this terrible day and every terrible day before and after. Together we mourned and together we committed to repair and reconciliation. This gathering featured the incredible leaders of three grassroots organizations – Women of Vision, Tomorrow’s Women, and Standing Together. “Hand in Hand We Heal: A Gathering for 10/7 and this Year of Sorrow”:

As part of the reflections on this day and year, we invite you to read a short reflection that Rabbi Amichai wrote, published by JTA – part of a moving collection of reflections on this past year – by communal leaders thinking about words that will never be the same. He wrote about Tikkun Olam and what it now means:
Read the article

We are so grateful to so many of you who joined us Face to Face on Rosh Hashanah – either in person or online. YOU make us Lab/Shul and we are so grateful to be in community with and for you. We invite you to share in some meaningful highlights from Rosh Hashanah:

Your support means everything to us and helps us continue to do what we do. Lab/Shul’s work depends on your generosity. Please consider a donation to Lab/Shul in a way that is meaningful to you.
Help Support Lab/Shul

It is not too late to join us on Yom Kippur, just a few seats left and you can always join us online. David Broza will once again be our Guest Ritualist on Yom Kippur – as he’s done for many years. After a tireless year of touring all over Israel and the world to raise morale and keep advocating for peace, we are honored to welcome him back on Yom Kippur Eve for a guest appearance.
Join us on Yom Kippur

A special invite to join online for the special event with Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu-Sarah who will present on Yom Kippur Eve – Atonement: Face to Face. We are grateful to the New Israel Fund and ALBI for joining us to present this important program, featuring these fearless peacemakers.
Join us on 10/11

May memories bring blessing, and let us hold each other’s hurts and hopes, hand in hand, face to face, together.

Shana Tova,
Rabbi Amichai & The Lab/Shul Team