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As we enter 5787, we ask ourselves: How might we meet this moment to allow for a Holy Shift in how we see, connect, and move forward in 5787?
Together, we explore this question through ritual, music, art, meditation, humor, community and the ancient technologies of these sacred days.
Hopefully, we leave a little different than when we arrived.
WELCOME TO 5787 תשפ״ז
“The turning point for the human paradigm shift occurred when we first saw the photograph of the Earth from the moon. That single image of a fragile, swirling blue marble in the dark void of space shattered our old borders. It made us realize that the boundaries we fight over are completely invisible from a cosmic perspective.”
Paradigm Shift: From the Jewish Renewal Teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (edited by Ellen Singer, published by Jason Aronson, 1993).
We begin this new year with excitement and hopes, amid many challenges, living through critical shifts the impact our politics, technologies, identities, communities and visions of what futures await us. The world feels increasingly interconnected and, at the same time, deeply divided.
For us in the Lab/Shul community this is also a season of shift as Rabbi Amichai takes the next steps in his own personal and professional transition, and we embrace our next creative chapter.
Shifts happen. What makes a shift holy? How do we better prepare to better handle and hold shifts, to grow wiser and kinder?
It’s about our intention. The embrace of shift and change is at the core of Jewish life, evolving with each generational need. Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the founder of the Jewish Renewal Movement, is one of our many inspiring teachers, reminding us to move away from auto-repeat rituals and fear based fences toward transformative spiritual life and love-driven courage.
At this charged and complicated moment for the Jewish people and all people worldwide this wisdom is needed and welcome.
The High Holy Days have always been designed for this kind of transformation. Teshuvah literally means “return,” or “shift” — inviting each of us, as individuals and as a community, to reflect, return to center, reckon with where we’ve strayed, and resolve to move forward.
Some shifts are chosen while others seem to descend upon us unbidden. Sometimes shift comes through grief, or through wonder, or laughter. On the threshold of this year, we are asking:
How might we meet this moment to allow for a Holy Shift in how we see, connect, and move forward in 5787?
We’ll explore this question through the ancient technologies of these sacred days – in Lab/Shul style – with reimagined ritual, live music, visceral art, poetry and meditation, humor and hope.
Together, let’s embrace the shifts ahead with trust and intention, together.
May this be a year of positive and gentle shifts, good news, healing and hope, justice and peace.
Shana Tova
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, Co-Founder & Senior Spiritual Leader
Sarah Sokolic, Co-Founder & Executive Director
“Abundance is offering people the opportunity to step into something together.“
-Serena Adlerstein, Co-Founder, Never Again Action
Financially supporting one’s spiritual community during this time is considered to be a deeply holy act that fosters a sense of shared responsibility and unity. It is a reminder of our interconnectedness and that we are not in this alone.
Thank you for your investment in our beloved community!