This page was last updated on 4/9/24.
“For the sake of my siblings and friends we pray for peace for all.”
לְמַעַן אַחַי וְרֵעָי אֲדַבְּרָה נָּא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ
Shocked and heartbroken, we continue to follow the horrific news from Israel and Gaza.
The days and months since October 7th have been some of the most difficult we’ve endured. Lab/Shul stands in solidarity with all who are suffering, mourning, and hurting at this terrible time, as the violence continues in Israel and Gaza, and elsewhere around the world.
As an artist driven Jewish spiritual community, Lab/Shul acknowledges and appreciates that the fabric of our community is woven with diverse threads of perspective, belief, and experience. We are committed to our mission as a sacred space for spiritual connection, bridge-building, learning, healing and growth for all.
Since October 7th we have continued to create opportunities for courageous conversation, spiritual care, political reflection, activism, support, and ritual healing — calling upon all members of our community and those beyond to engage in constructive, compassionate dialogue, fostering understanding and empathy.
We invite you to explore the resources on this page for further learning and engagement, helping us unpack and find solace, donate and support, and show up at this critical time. Please check this page regularly as the situation is continuously evolving and we will be updating information here frequently.
As we remember the shared humanity that unites us all and strive for peace, justice and dignity for every individual we invite you to light a candle and recite the Mother’s Prayer for Peace. We pray that the cycle of violence will end as quickly as possible, so that repair can begin to bring peace.
News
Ways to Help
Organizations to Support
This is a small selection of ways to support now. If you have organizations to suggest, please send them to hello@labshul.org
Now/Next @ Lab/Shul
Courageous Conversations: Talking About Israel/Palestine
These last few months have been some of the most painful of our lives as the war in Israel and Gaza continues. Lab/Shul is committed to providing space to engage in constructive, compassionate dialogue, fostering understanding and empathy while acknowledging and appreciating that the fabric of our everybody-friendly community is woven with diverse threads of perspective, belief, and experience. Join us for a new series of monthly conversations that offer communication skill-building, and a forum for dialogue across disagreement.
This in-person program is for Lab/Shul Partners only and offered free of charge.
Program dates: March 7th, April 2nd, May 2nd, and June 6th.
SAYder
Passover 2024 will be different from all other Passovers we’ve known. The violent death toll and displacement of Israelis and Palestinians, and the rising political tensions worldwide continue to inflict pain, rupture lives and relationships, raising critical questions of identity, solidarity and the ongoing struggles for human liberation.
Lab/Shul proposes FOUR NEW QUESTIONS to help us hear each other’s truths, engage in honest conversations, raise our cups to healing, life and peace, together.
Join Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, the Lab/Shul Ritual Team & special guests for some or all of of 4 weekly online sessions exploring the question: How do we bring this complexity to Judaism’s oldest sacred storytelling ritual that celebrates legacy, survival and optimism?
Program dates: March 28th, April 4th, April 11th & April 18th