July begins with transitions and gratitude. Today we say THANK YOU to a valued and beloved teacher and leader in our community who charges us to open our hearts and doors even wider, again and again.
Rabbi Emily Cohen joined Lab/Shul two years, ago, as our second Jewish Emergent Network Rabbinic Resident.
On multiple moments and at every juncture Rabbi Emily led us with a sensitive heart, open mind and an unwavering commitment to justice. Our community is sad to see her go on, so proud of being her first official congregation, and excited to wish her the best of next as she takes on the rabbinic leadership of the distinguished West End Synagogue in Manhattan.
Rabbi Emily’s parting gift is “Jew/Too: Stories of the Lab/Shul Community,” a short video that is the culmination of her focus on greater inclusivity, dignity and diversity in the Jewish Community – and at Lab/Shul. These past two years she led the compelling Mixed Multitude salons, as well as the JewToo podcast series, in partnership with B’nai Jeshurun.
The short video is a moving snapshot of some of the many faces of Lab/Shul 2020 – exploring Lab/Shul’s ever evolving everybody-friendly mission. Rabbi Emily leaves us with this charge: “We have work ahead of us to bring Lab/Shul into even deeper alignment with our 21st century, multiracial, multifaith, multicultural Jewish community, but y’know what? I believe that we are up for this sacred challenge.”
Thank you Rabbi Emily! May we all continue to open our hearts and doors wider, for all. It’s on us.
