Hey Lab/Shul,
It’s Friday so, Shabbat Shalom. And, it’s that time of year again to greet you with Pre-Shana Tova!
A New Jewish Year marking 5,781 sun-cycles since the creation of the world will be here in 40 days. And for the first time in 5,781 years we’re going to be ritually welcomed on screens, and Lab/Shul will be completely free of charge.
Will it work? We are counting on it, and CNN agrees that it’s well worth the try. Check out CNN’s fantastic feature on reimagining the spiritual in the digital realm and how Lab/Shul is at the forefront of this work. You can also join me at SHABasics tonight to see what CNN got so excited about.
We are inviting you for the full Season of Awe. This year, more than ever, it’s on each and every one of us to walk the talk of SHUVU – to rise, reckon, repair and reset what we can in our personal and public lives. One to walk the talk?
Join us for our first ever “Shuvu Challenge.” Commit to 1 to 60 days of private tasks, communal conversations, daily art, and guided reflections by choosing from five tracks to restart this year with focus, intention and commitment to change.
While Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are free of charge for everyone, the Shuvu Challenges are for Lab/Shul Partners only, to ensure safety and intimacy for all. Don’t worry you can become a Lab/Shul Partner today by contributing your money, or your time (our zero financial obligation option).
Registration opens next week – scroll down for the details and stay tuned as we reveal our Days of Awe schedule! Partners, not-yet-Partners, grandparents, neighbors, your local bodega guy or newest crush – everyone is invited to join us for the Days of Awe.
We look forward to making the most of this season of return together – breath by breath, day by day.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Amichai & The Lab/Shul Team
Engage in daily online learning, reflection, conversations, and actions as we reckon with the racist reality of America and commit to anti-racist repair in our personal & public lives. This two-part challenge is led by Yavilah McCoy in partnership with JEN, Rev. Derrick McQueen and Rabbi Amichai.
Yavilah McCoy is the CEO of Dimensions Inc. in Boston and has spent the past 20 years working extensively in multi-faith communities to engage issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a certified coach for the Auburn Theological Seminary Pastoral Training program and is a renowned speaker, educator, and spiritual practitioner.
Rev. Dr. Derrick McQueen has worked on the successful campaign for LGBTQ inclusion in church life, and as a community activist, social worker and an Arts and Culture Poverty Scholar with the Poverty Initiative/Kairos. Rev. Derrick McQueen serves as the temporary Pastor of Saint James Presbyterian Church in Harlem.
A 30-day journey of reflection and preparation for the new year. Each day you’ll receive an animated fragment from the poetic liturgy of the Days of Awe, created by Jacqueline Nicholls with commentary by Rabbi Amichai and prompts for personal questions, creative responses, and communal connections.
Jacqueline Nicholls is a London-based visual artist, educator, and cultural events producer. She uses a variety of craft based techniques in her work including embroidery, paper-cutting, and book-binding. Jaqueline has exhibited her artwork in everywhere from London to Jerusalem to San Francisco.
Take time to write ten letters, one daily, starting on the first day of the year through the Day of Atonement. Compose to connect, appreciate, repair, or release. We’ll guide you daily with prompts to inspire clear and creative communication to start the year with love. Developed & led by Lab/Shul’s Ritual Team.
Begin the new year with commitment to more mindful presence. Sign up for six online sessions of experiential training in foundational meditation practices, bearing witness to yourself and others with embodied wisdom, compassion, and resilience. Guided live by Rami Avraham Efal.
Rami Avraham Efal weaves contemplation & communication, creativity & strategy. A student of Zen Buddhism, he has co-led multi-day workshops in Nonviolent Communication, and studied peace-building and illustration. He’s currently in Rabbinical studies with Aleph Ordination Program.
Create your own Day of Atonement with 24 hours of guided rituals, meditations, exercises, and tools for self care. Tackle the challenge solo or with others, and feel free to integrate your practice with Lab/Shul’s Yom Kippur worship. Crafted by Gidoen Lichfield and Stosh Cotler.
Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc, has over 30 years of experience as an organizer, trainer, and leader in the movements for justice & equality, and is a nationally recognized leader of the movement to renew & expand the Jewish community’s role in progressive social change in the US.
Gideon Lichfield is the editor-in-chief of MIT Technology Review since 2017, after 16 years at The Economist, as a science/technology writer and in postings to around the world. He’s also one of the founding editors of Quartz, a news outlet dedicated to covering the future of the global economy.
