Welcome to our theme this year:

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?

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.