GALA 2026

We’ve come of age!

On June 18, 2026 we marked a significant milestone together – Lab/Shul’s B MITZVAH.

We immersed ourselves in study and retold our Storah. We asked hard questions. We welcomed your wisdom, and shared our vision for what comes next.

We lifted up visionary leaders and celebrated so many who have shaped this community over the past 13 years.

We re-committed to being an “anti-divisivist” community and to the sacred messiness of belonging.

We prayed for healing and held each other close.

We ate, drank, sang, danced the Horah, bowled, tore up the dance floor and filled the room with unbridled joy.

We came of age. It was epic.

Together we raised almost $300,000 in support of Lab/Shul’s artist-driven, everybody friendly mission.

Help us cross the 300K mark together with a contribution in any amount!

Donate Now

Offer a Blessing

WATCH: If you’d like to relive some highlights or in case you were not able to join us, we invite you to watch our tribute video in celebration of our guests of honor Jennifer Pehr and Jon Adam Ross.

WATCH: Lab/Shul’s B Mitzvah montage – a look back at the last 13 years including “High Hopes” for what’s next.

VIEW: Select photos from the night! BIG THANK YOU to Jesi Kelley, Ali Levin Photography, William Boone and the team at Magnetic Memories for capturing the night so beautifully.

Photo Recap

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn NY

6:30PM: Cocktails / Buffet Dinner
8:00PM: Ritual Program / Honoree Celebration
9:00PM: B Mitzvah Party / Dancing / Bowling

The attire:

Wear what you wore when you were 13.
Or re-create your B Mitzvah garb
(or what you wished you had worn)!

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Gala Honorees

Jennifer and Jon (aka JAR) have been active leaders of Lab/Shul since the early 2000’s. JAR was a founding company member of the Storahtelling Ritual Theater Company, and has developed, directed and performed in more than 30 Storahtelling ritual pieces across the country in synagogues, schools, JCCs, summer camps and at prestigious Jewish conferences. As a senior Storahtelling Maven and B Mitzvah trainer, JAR has worked with more than 20 B Mitzvah families utilizing Lab/Shul’s signature Raising the Bar curriculum to develop bespoke Storahtelling rituals. Jennifer has served on the Lab/Shul Board of Directors from 2014 until 2025, with leadership roles including serving on the Executive Board as Secretary, co-chairing Lab/Shuls’s 2019-2024 Strategic Planning process, serving on the year-round Programming Team, BECOMING business planning Task Force, and Lab/Shul’s Leadership Reimagining Task Force. Jen and JAR count Lab/Shul and many in the Lab/Shul community as some of their closest friends and “framily”.

Professionally Jennifer is an urban designer, planner, and strategic leader with nearly 20 years of experience shaping urban projects that strengthen communities and the shared spaces that bring people together. Jen works at the intersection of planning, design, infrastructure, and policy to support more resilient, inclusive, and connected neighborhoods. Throughout her career, she has collaborated on civic and community-centered initiatives, both in New York City and around the world, helping guide complex development projects from vision to implementation. She is deeply committed to the idea that the places we create reflect communities’ collective values—and that thoughtful design can advance equity, health, and dignity. Jen holds dual master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Public Health from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Barnard College.

JAR is a theater maker, performer and arts executive who has co-created theater in communities around the United States and across the globe to address acute civic divisions. Jon is the Executive Director and a Co-Founding Artist of Inheritance Theater Project (ITP), a national nonprofit that bridges divisions through creative collaboration. Over the past decade, ITP has employed more than 250 artists to engage 14,000 people to collaborate across generational, political, and religious divides in projects spanning 19 cities around the country. Jon has served as an artist in residence at Harvard Divinity School, Union Theological Seminary, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and many other religious and educational institutions. Jon has held fellowships with Cogenerate, Invested Faith, the Covenant Foundation, LABA, M², and as a Spielberg Fellow in Theater Education with the Foundation for Jewish Camp. As an actor, Jon’s stage credits include: a dog, a 2,000-year-old bird, a spurned housewife, a horse, a British naval officer, a goat, Jesus, a wrestler, a hapless police chief, and a cyclops. Jon holds a BFA from NYU/Tisch. And as a parent to a 5 year old, Jon has recently provided silly voices to such inanimate objects as a winter hat, a rubber ducky, and a syringe of children’s tylenol. www.inheritancetheater.org

Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver (z”l) Legacy Award Recipient

Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver (z”l)

Legacy Award Recipient

Jodi Cohen

& L Michael Graver

Legacy Award Receipient

Harry Otterman is a founding Co-Creator of Lab/Shul and a dedicated community builder whose leadership has helped shape the organization since its earliest days. Over the years, he has generously contributed his time, resources, and strategic insight, while leveraging a broad professional network to support Lab/Shul’s growth and impact. His commitment reflects a deep belief in creative, inclusive Jewish life and the power of community to evolve and thrive. Professionally, Harry is the Owner of Norcor Management Corp, overseeing real estate property management and operations. As a recipient of this award, Harry’s contributions reflect a legacy measured not just in resources given, but in the strength, spirit, and sustainability of the community he has helped shape.

GALA CO-Chairs

Sarah Connors & Michael Dorf
Marnie Berk & Jon Silvan
Rebecca Weller & Adam Stettner

HOST COMMITTEE (in formation)

Mollie Andron
Karin & Paul Barman
Jacqui & Todd Brecher
Jonah Canner
Lori Roth Gale & Brian Gale
Brian Gelfand
Janee Graver
Erin & David Loewy-Harris
Naamah Harris Imir
Karen Hauser & Warren Leight
Annie G. Levy
Rabbi Annie Lewis
Deanna Neil
franny silverman newman & Mike Newman
Ora & Chuck Ramat
Chana Rothman
Ava & Steve Schlesinger
Kippy Joseph & Jason Scott
Shawn Shafner
Jake Goodman & Sean Shepherd
Tracey Erin Smith
Rhona Silverbush & Peter Vogelsang
Emily Warshaw
Keeli Sorensen & David Wolkin

Premier REserved Seating

Epic: $20,000+

Premier seating for 10
Listed as Epic in invitation, event screen, and website
Prominent recognition on screens at event
Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party bowling tournament
Exclusive private study salon for 10 with Rabbi Amichai
Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen
Entry into Lab/Shul’s “Visionary Circle”*

Chronicle: $12,500+

Premium seating for 8
Listed as Chronicle in invitation, event screen, and website
Prominent recognition on screens during event
Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party bowling tournament
Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen
Entry into Lab/Shul’s “Visionary Circle”*

Saga: $10,000+

Premium seating for 6
Listed as Saga in invitation, event screen, and website
Prominent recognition on screens during event
Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party bowling tournament
Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen

Legend: $5,000+

Priority seating for 4
Listed as Legend in invitation, event screens, and website
Prominent recognition on screens at event
Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party bowling tournament
Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen

Preferred Seating

Myth: $2,500+

2 Tickets
Preferred seating
Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
Listed as Myth on invitation, event screens, and website

Fable: $900+

1 Ticket
Preferred seating
Invitation for 1 to pre-event Sponsor reception
Listed on tribute screens during the event

Tale: $360+
Cost of admission plus a donation.

Story: $195+

Cost of admission. A limited number of tickets are available at this level.

Poem: $80+

Welcoming our extended community at a subsidized price-point. A limited number of tickets are available at this level.

Corporate Sponsorships

IS YOUR BUSINESS INTERESTED IN ENHANCING YOUR BRAND VISIBILITY?

Becoming a Corporate Sponsor of the Lab/Shul Gala and enjoy a range of on site and long-term benefits that demonstrate your commitment to supporting community and philanthropic initiatives. Examples include: Premier seating at the Gala, on-site signage, pre-event Sponsor reception, promotional item giveaways, web and social media recognition.

Questions

Questions about event sponsorship or tickets?

Email [email protected]

Not able to join us in PERSON?

Can’t join in PERSON?

We invite you to offer a blessing or well wishes.

Contributions in any amount are welcome! Click here to offer a blessing.

*LAB/SHUL VISIONARY CIRCLE:

Lab/Shul Partners who contribute $11K and above annually are invited to join the Visionary Circle, a think tank and social network led by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie that addresses challenging and controversial issues facing the Jewish community. The salons feature Rabbi Amichai and other guest teachers, leading study sessions and discussions through a lens of inclusivity, progress and justice, and utilizing Jewish texts as sources of context. With Lab/Shul’s Everybody Friendly mission as a driving force, Visionary Circle topics include inclusivity and post-tribalism; patrilineal descent, racism, intermarriage; God and theology, prayer; Israel/Palestine; and antisemitism.

On-Site Volunteering

We are gladly welcoming a limited number of on-site volunteers to serve as greeters and to assist with registration and some on-site programming. All volunteers will receive free access to the entire event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact [email protected].

We’ve come of age!

On June 18, 2026 we marked a significant milestone together – Lab/Shul’s B MITZVAH.

Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn NY

6:30PM: Cocktails / Buffet Dinner 8:00PM: Ritual Program / Honoree Celebration 9:00PM: B Mitzvah Party / Dancing / Bowling

The attire:

Wear what you wore when you were 13. Or re-create your B Mitzvah garb (or what you wished you had worn)!

Gala Honorees

Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver (z”l) Legacy Award Recipient

Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver (z”l)

Legacy Award Recipient

Jodi Cohen

& L Michael Graver

Legacy Award Receipient

GALA CO-Chairs

HOST COMMITTEE (in formation)

Premier REserved Seating

Preferred Seating

Sponsors

Corporate Sponsorships

Questions

Questions about event sponsorship or tickets?

Email [email protected]

Not able to join us in PERSON?

Can’t join in PERSON?

We invite you to offer a blessing or well wishes.

Contributions in any amount are welcome! Click here to offer a blessing.

*LAB/SHUL VISIONARY CIRCLE:

On-Site Volunteering

Blessings

Congratulations to Lab/Shul and especially my dear friends JAR and Jen!

May this year hold the transition of a lifetime. Thank you Lab/Shul for all you do. Thank you JAR and JENN for lighting up the way.

Love love love

Thank you for bringing me into queer, god-optional, glittery Judaism.

To JAR! Mazel Tov to you and all of your incredible accomplishments! May you always be the new guy!

May you continue to blossom and grow and create this beautiful, inclusive community.

SHOUT OUT!! We thank you for being an incredible community. We are so grateful to be able to connect (its been online), but that does not change the depth of feeling and experience that we've had. We love you being in the world, makes ours so much better! xoxo

Wishing the entire team, honorees, and community a ginormous Mazal Tov on reaching this milestone and on all of the creativity, the healing, the miracles, the transformations, the goodness, and the holy experiments you've birthed along the way!

Thank you for building a home for all — nourishing, uplifting, expansive, full of beautiful souls and caring hearts. To many more cycles of life, full of spirit, love and imagination!

Lab/Shul is my spiritual home since 2002 when we were Storahtelling. Love you!

Lab/Shul friends: You create meaning for me and my family with the spiritual work that you do! Thank you for bringing your divine energy to this holy work. We love you and appreciate you.

Mazel Tov!

🙌🏽 mazel tov!

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov Lab/Shul and Blessings! Thank you for providing a spiritual community with meaning, love, and relevance for facing all of life's trials and joys. May you have many more 13s to come. With love,

Congratulations, good wishes, and a hearty Mazal Tov to JAR on this incredible milestone!

peace, connection, love and rock and roll!

Dear Jon and Jen you are chosen kin and an enormous gift to my life! Congratulations onward with love

Mazel Tov to the incomparable Lab/Shul on 13 years of community and creativity!

Keep playing!

Lab/Shul has been such a welcoming space for me to find my way back to Judaism. I've deeply enjoyed Zen Shabbats and Sabbath Queens. I'm grateful for the offerings and intention of an inclusive home inside of jewish values. Thank you for the work you do!

Mazel tov JAR! You are a legend, innovator, creator, mentor, coach, mensch and a true friend!

Thankyou for all the good work!

I cannot believe that we're at bmitzvah for Lab/Shul! I still remember (very fondly) the Storahtelling bmitzvah, over a decade ago! Keep doing this important work.

May Lab/shul continue if's ever-evolving transmission of Judaism to meet the future changing times

I wish for Lab/Shul many more years of bringing people together in community.

Your blooming adolescence has been inspiring and I wish you continued blossoming with health and strength and soul. Mazel tov!!!

May the vision that propels the work of your heart be like blooming flowers 🤍

Jen/JAR- Mazel Tov on this well-deserved honor !! כל הכבוד!!

Mazal Tov Lab/Shul on your B Mitzvah!!!! JAR/Jon and Jen and Harry, thank you for your dedicated commitment to helping Lab/Shul grow over the last many years to become B Mitzvah!

To Lab/Shul honorees, staff and all volunteers, You are fantastic! Mazal Tov, with love,

May this community thrive for many more b mitzvahs to come!

Mazel tov on your B-Mitzvah!

Mazal Tov on this well deserved honor!

MAZEL TOV to all B-Mitzvah celebrants!!!

Mazal Tov Jen and Jon!

MAZEL TOV!!! Holy, holy, holy awe!!!

Mazel Tov on this wonderful occasion and celebration!

May the Great Story give continued meaning, and may you give continued meaning to our Great Story.

JAR, Jen, Lab/Shul: May abundant joy, sacred stories, courage, and creativity always light your way.

Mazel tov to JAR and Jen for all you’ve done for Lab/Shul and all you’ve done for the Jewish people!

To 120…and beyond! We love Lab/Shul dearly and are grateful for who and what it has brought into our lives.

So proud to be a B-Mitzvah trainer and wishing Lab/Shul a festive B-Mitzvah

To JAR and Jen, and to thirteen years of becoming — thank you for building a place wide enough for everyone. Here's to the joy, the work, and everything still ahead. Mazel tov.

With deep gratitude for what has been and prayers and dreams for what will be.

Mazel tov on this momentous occasion!

To Lab/Shul honorees, staff and all volunteers. You are fantastic! Mazal Tov, with love,

Kol ha-Kavod to Jen and JAR for your leadership and hard work.

Happy B Mitzvah!!! We have such love & gratitude for the Lab/Shul team & community. For our family, being part of Lab/Shul has enriched our lives in so many ways. Mazel Tov!! Love,

Mazal tov to Lab/Shul's wonderful leaders. We hope JAR attends the gala in his Jacob Play singlet!

Mazal tov, Jen and JAR!

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn NY

6:30PM: Cocktails / Buffet Dinner
8:00PM: Ritual Program / Honoree Celebration
9:00PM: B Mitzvah Party / Dancing / Bowling

Wear what you wore when you were 13.
Or re-create your B Mitzvah garb
(or what you wished you had worn)!

Mazal Tov, Lab/Shul, on your B Mitzvah!!! You are sparkling today, and winning everyone over with your awesomeness!! We are so proud of all you've accomplished, and we can't wait to see what you'll do next!! ;) All our love,