On July 6th, I will mark eight years since I began serving as Executive Director of Lab/Shul. Eight years of co-creation, growth, challenge, and joy. It has been the most rewarding role of my professional life.

In Jewish tradition, we are commanded to observe Shmita, a sacred pause every seventh year, allowing the land to lie fallow so it can flourish. This wisdom reminds us that rest is not a retreat from purpose, but an integral part of sustainability and renewal. Recent research in the nonprofit sector affirms what our ancestors knew: sabbaticals make individuals and organizations stronger.

It is in that spirit, and with the full support of our Board and leadership team, that I will be taking an eight-week sabbatical from Monday, July 7 through Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

This moment of pause comes during a time of deep challenge and reflection for so many of us. Since October 7th, our collective hearts have carried immense grief for the hostages who remain in captivity, and for the devastation and loss suffered by our Palestinian cousins. And yet, Lab/Shul has remained a spiritual anchor and has aspired to be a beacon of hope and peace. We’ve shown up for one another with love, with courage, and with curiosity – even when we do not agree. 

Thanks to months of careful planning, our staff, ritual team, and lay leaders are fully prepared to carry forward our mission while I’m away. Together, we’ve structured coverage and communication to ensure seamless continuity of programs, pastoral care, and operational needs. I take comfort knowing that even as I step away briefly, our community will remain vibrant, resilient, and well supported.

This sabbatical is not only a personal gift of rest and healing—it is also a commitment to Lab/Shul’s long-term health. As we grow and evolve, so too must our structures. My time away will also serve as a pilot and foundation for establishing a broader Sabbatical Policy for all Lab/Shul employees in the years to come.

Similarly, and aligned with our organizational values, I also want to let you know that the Lab/Shul office will be closed June 30 through July 4 for one of our two annual Wellness Weeks. These intentional pauses – scheduled in December and June – are designed to help our team rest, reflect, and renew. Research shows that burnout is one of the greatest threats to nonprofit sustainability, and we are committed to walking our talk when it comes to supporting the well-being of those who make our sacred work possible.

I step away with immense gratitude. Gratitude for this community, for our Board, and especially for the Lab/Shul staff—my partners in sacred co-creation these many years. Thank you for the trust and love you continue to place in me. I look forward to returning with renewed energy, perspective, and creativity—ready for all that lies ahead.

With love and blessing,

Sarah Sokolic
Co-Founder & Executive Director

PS – I look forward to seeing you this evening – in person and online – for our final Sabbath Queen of the programmatic year!