Got Questions? We’re here to help!

If your questions have not been answered below, please feel free to email hello@labshul.org.

I’M NEW TO LAB /SHUL

We’re a lab, remixing Judaism for the 21st century and our evolving diverse community. Like a synagogue and a shul, we’re a vibrant space to nurture your personal growth, support your communal and spiritual needs, and explore the ways Jewish tradition can help make life meaningful today–for everyone.

 

The notion of Divine Presence is a personal and unique experience for each individual, as well as a significant historical feature of Judaism. In our ongoing search for authentic, common, spiritual ground, we replace the reliance on the English term “God” with a multiplicity of metaphors and prisms that embrace a more modern, gender-neutral, and abstract relationship to what is ultimately beyond language. We invite you in on your own terms, in your own way, to co-create this experience with us.

Easy. Included with any Hebrew you will see transliteration and our original poetic God-optional English translations. We use projections, not prayer books, so it’s easy to follow along.

Lab/Jr. is happening! Highly skilled, enthusiastic artist-educators are offering engaging kids’ programming for everyone from 0-12. This year we’ll have Lab/Jr. offerings  in person. Click here to learn more about Lab/Jr!

Lab/Shul is truly everybody-friendly, meaning we invite the full spectrum of human existence without exception or judgment. So if you’re Jewish/Jew(ish)/not-at-all Jewish, interfaith, multi-faith, not-really-into-faith, a Person of color, a Jew of Color, LGBTQI+, older, younger, from here or from there–we want to make space for you.

“Friendly” doesn’t even begin to describe it! We deeply value the leadership of trans and queer members of our community, and seek to ensure that we build mutually nourishing relationships with those most marginalized in our communities. We work to uproot transphobia and homophobia, internalized and externalized in the ways it may show up in our spaces.

As we enter the High Holy Days season of 5786, we offer guidance on how we intend to be together as a community of care during this time of heightened polarization and political discord in the U.S., particularly around the ongoing conflict in Israel/Palestine and its impact on our lives here and worldwide. As we gather with our Lab/Shul community to begin a new year, we come to co-create sacred space for transformative soul work. Despite differences, we seek common ground in our shared humanity, our hopes for healing and peace, our resistance to despair, and our commitment to repairing what is broken.

In line with this commitment to bridge-building, our theme for this season and the year ahead is TIKKUN: Return to Repair. This ancient Jewish concept calls us to mend what is broken, hold the fragments with care, and commit to compassionate course correction. At this painful time, we accept this invitation, challenging ourselves to nurture trust and hope, to work for peace and justice, and to plant seeds of healing for generations to come.

As every year, we will lift up peacemakers and agents of change in Israel and Palestine. Guest artists and ritualists will join us throughout the season, modeling dialogue and engagement. We ask you to bring your full, authentic self to Lab/Shul—contributing to the richness of the moment while helping to sustain a mindful, introspective environment

Please click here to read our community guidelines.

Lab/Shul is proud of the work of READ, our Racial Equity Action Delegation, led by community members who recognized urgent work and sought to do it together. They have gathered together and come up with action items, in collaboration with Lab/Shul’s Board of Directors, Executive Director and Spiritual Leaders, that will help Lab/Shul live into its everybody-friendly value.

Safety and security are our top priorities for Lab/Shul’s High Holy Days programming. In preparation, we have participated in multiple security trainings with various entities, including UJA Federation NY’s Community Security Initiative, the NYPD, and other trusted sources. We’ve also partnered with BMCC staff to coordinate all safety and security protocols. All Lab/Shul staff, hired educators, and production staff have been trained to handle a wide range of safety and security scenarios. If you notice anything on-site, please alert any Lab/Shul staff member, volunteer, BMCC House Management, or production management staff.

Of. Course. You can volunteer virtually or in person. Choose “yes” when registering for ritual programming on days when you’d like to volunteer!

This year’s high holy days

With respect for the importance of these days, wear whatever allows you to feel comfortable, open, and present. We encourage you to suit up with any ritual gear that is part of your religious practice. We don’t provide prayer shawls but we do have cool kippot.

Pro Tip: Most people glam up on Rosh Hashanah night, and throughout Yom Kippur some prefer to wear white and abstain from leather shoes…or footwear in general.

All our ritual programs will be held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, near Chambers + West St. on 199 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007 and via Live Stream. Some of our public events during the High Holy season will be held at different locations across NYC, so check the schedule closely!

There will be a small mask-only section in our main ritual space. Please stay home if you are feeling ill.

We are planning to have closed captioning for our main ritual. We will also be using our familiar High Holy Day liturgy slides, so that you may follow along during the ritual. Our space is fully wheelchair accessible, and the lower level can be accessed without stairs. We are happy to reserve accessible seats for those who need them! Email hello@labshul.org if you have any specific needs or requests and we will do our very best to accommodate you.

Yay! Click here to reserve your seat, in person or online!

High Holy Days 5786/2025