Dear Lab/Shul Partners and Friends,
At the cusp of a new Jewish year, I write with a hurting and yet hopeful heart, wishing all of you and your loved ones a sweeter new year. Together, we yearn for and continue to work towards better days, healing and resilience, peace and repair for our loved ones and for all people, everywhere.
“Please tell me the story of your life in fifteen minutes.”
A few years ago I received this request in an email from Bruce Feiler, an author and friend working on research for his new book “Life is In the Transitions”.
Exploring how we get to master change at any age, the book became a New York Times bestseller, and this past summer I read it, honored to be included as one of the people reflecting on life’s transitions, inspired by its compelling premise that feels quite timely and vital both personally and professionally.
As partners, friends, supporters and vital stakeholders in our co-creation of the Lab/Shul community, you’ve been with us through many milestones, challenges and transitions.
Today, on behalf of the Lab/Shul board and team, I have important and exciting news to share with you about the next chapter for Lab/Shul and for me.
Since 2012, I have had the joy and privilege of growing Lab/Shul with you – a living laboratory for reimagining Jewish life in the 21st Century. I am proud of our continued creativity, pioneering inclusive and innovative approaches to ritual, learning, belonging, and social change. With “lab” in our name, we’ve always committed ourselves to bold experimentation and evolution, and we continue to do so now.
This new year ushers in important opportunities for growth and leadership in my professional journey. Beginning in January 2026, I will serve as the inaugural Living Torah Fellow of Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah.
This prestigious recognition affirms the work we’ve been building together and grants me the gift of dedicating more time to teaching and writing on Jewish wisdom. I will also be traveling between NYC and Israel to be supportive to my family, especially my 96 year old mother, and continue my work on bridge-building and critical peace efforts.
The official announcement of the fellowship will be publicly announced in early 2026.
This fellowship also signals the start of a long-planned three-year transition (2026–2028), during which I will gradually step back from my role as senior spiritual leader at Lab/Shul.
Together with Lab/Shul’s Board of Directors, our extraordinary professional and ritual team, and the support of my co-founders Sarah Sokolic, Shira Kline, and Naomi Less, I am approaching this process with deep care and intention to ensure continuity through devoted leadership.
Six months ago, our Board of Directors created a Transition Task Force, bringing together current and former board members along with community leaders, working with me and our team. The Task Force is focused on ensuring organizational stability, exploring models of leadership, and assessing potential impacts on the community. This fall, the group will move into its next phase of work in alignment with our new five-year Strategic Plan which is almost complete and will roll out later this fall. This plan will include more details about this transition and our overall goals for sustainably and growth.
Stay tuned for our invitation to be part of this critical process of growth and planning in the following months.
In 2026, I will continue in my role at Lab/Shul as spiritual leader and teacher, and together with our team continue to expand and implement BECOMING, our reimagined rite-of-passage program.
None of this evolution would be possible without your ongoing trust, generosity, and support.
Thank you for being our partners in shaping a resilient and visionary community, and helping me grow to become the teacher and leader I am still becoming.
I am excited for our continued journey together. These challenging times call for creativity and compassion, bold moves and brave choices. I intend to be as helpful as possible, to as many as possible, in our community and beyond.
Please note that Sarah Sokolic’s two month Sabbatical is extended due to her bereavement for her beloved mother. After the High Holy Days we will announce our next steps including opportunities to meet as a community, reflect on this news, clarify any questions, and plan ahead – together.
In the meanwhile – please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at this email address with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.
I look forward to seeing you during these upcoming High Holy Days, in NYC or online, and often in the new year.
And one more request: This is a big transition for Lab/Shul and for me – we are confident that in many ways we’ll keep co-creating the special blend of programs that celebrate life’s gifts, hold us during difficult times of hurting and help us all lean into love and liberation, justice and joy in all the ways we can. Please consider a gift today, of any amount, to pledge your support and trust, helping us thrive during this time of transition:
Thank you for your generous support to Lab/Shul.
May we all be inscribed in the book of healthy transitions, purpose driven lives, much more justice and peace in this coming year, and always.
Shana Tova.
With gratitude and love,
Amichai Lau-Lavie
