Cast Your Vote, Then Raise Your Hand // Join our Leadership Transition Task Force

Tomorrow is Election Day, and, I’ll admit it, I’m on edge.

With democracy under attack here in the United States and around the world, and with the Democratic party struggling to reconcile its competing ideological factions, I’m thinking about what it means to use our voices responsibly. Voting matters. But so does doing the work to become informed enough to make our votes truly count.

Scroll down to learn how your voice can help shape Lab/Shul’s future by serving on our Leadership Transition Task Force.

With so much at stake, I’ve been making an intentional effort to deepen my understanding of the political landscape, both here at home and especially in Israel. Resources from organizations like A More Perfect Union and NYC Votes, offer valuable ways to understand what’s at stake in these midterm elections.

Last week, I had the privilege of joining an intimate conversation with Dr. Tal Becker, Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, where he leads educational initiatives focused on Israel and the Jewish world. A longtime adviser to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a senior member of Israel’s negotiating teams through multiple rounds of peace talks, Dr. Becker brought extraordinary insight and nuance to a discussion of Israel’s complex political landscape.

When I asked what we, as leaders of U.S.-based Jewish organizations, could do to meet this moment, his response was as unexpected as it was profound. He shared that he had offered the same counsel to the heads of Israel’s political parties over the past few weeks: Lead with compassion for the other, and avoid actions that constitute a chillul Hashem – a desecration of the Divine that brings disgrace upon us through our own conduct. It was such a powerful reminder that even amid deep divisions and a complex political landscape, how we treat one another matters as much as the positions we take.

These experiences remind me that being informed isn’t about having all the answers. Sometimes, the wisdom we need comes not from our intellect, but from the depths of our hearts. What matters is our willingness to remain curious, question our assumptions, and wrestle with complexity. Meaningful engagement begins with the humility to listen and the openness to learn.

Your Voice Matters at Lab/Shul, too.

That same spirit of whole-hearted engagement is especially important as we prepare for one of the most significant transitions in Lab/Shul’s history.

As Rabbi Amichai commences his final year in his spiritual leadership role, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build upon our founding vision while reimagining what spiritual, political, and scholarly leadership can look like in our next chapter.

And we want YOU to help shape what comes next for our beloved community.

We invite Lab/Shul Partners to serve on our Leadership Transition Task Force, which will work closely with me, our staff, and Board leadership over the coming year to develop and implement a thoughtful, innovative, and comprehensive leadership transition plan. Task Force members will be selected through an application process, with the group expected to be formed later this month. This work will require an estimated 2–10 hours of engagement per month from December 2026 through December 2027, along with a commitment to confidentiality, thoughtful collaboration, and care throughout the process.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: 
APPLY TO JOIN THE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION TASK FORCE