On January 22, 2020, our staff first sat together to brainstorm a theme for the upcoming 5781 Days of Awe, unaware of how timely, needed and poignant “Shuvu” would be become. We opened our hearts and ears to this prophetic call for moral repair, and heard the message loud and clear: rise up, reckon and repent, do the work.
This past weekend on October 18, 2020 we held our final Daily SoulSpa of the Shuvu Season, honoring the tireless work of over 50 artists, educators, ritualists, activists, designers, tech wizards, production gurus and volunteers who co-created the Days of Awe.
As we continue our work for a more just world, we are comforted, inspired, urged, soothed and fueled by the Shuvu Spirit.
That’s why we’ve created the 5781 Days of Awe Playlist for you – featuring the Shuvu Season highlights, the melodies, and the stories that made us rise, reckon and reset.
Shehecheyanu
In August, Lab/Shul’s Day of Awe Ritual Team reunited, socially distanced, on the roof of the Marlene Meyerson JCC in Manhattan to record songs of the season. Our “Shehecheyanu” celebrates the newness of the Days of Awe, with gratitude for the gift of being together.
B’Seifer Chayim
Lab/Shul’s Day of Awe Ritual Team reunited, socially distanced, on the roof of the Marlene Meyerson JCC in Manhattan to record songs of the season. As we sing this prayer for peace we sing for the students at the International School of Peace.
P’tach Lanu Sha’ar
Performed by the Lab/Shul Ritual Team on Ne’ilah 5781, joined by our dearest collaborators and friends, broadcast live, safely and socially distanced from City Winery in the Hudson Valley.
“The Holy of Holies” Rabbi Amichai’s Yom Kippur Sermon
Rabbi Amichai’s sermon on Yom Kippur Morning, on the innermost temple, the Holy of Holies.
“The Holy of Holies is in your heart and everywhere a voting booth awaits for us to say Hineni, Here I am.”
“River of Life” Reverend Derrick McQueen Rosh Hashanah Sermon
Reverend Derrick McQueen’s sermon on Erev Rosh Hashanah.
“We were reborn in the literal flowing, of the River of Life.”
“Ru’ach/Breath”
Reverend Derrick McQueen and Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s powerful sermon “Ru’ach” – breath, Divine Spirit, on Ne’ilah.
“We are Loved by Boundless Love”
Reverend Derrick McQueen’s sermon on Rosh Hashanah Morning.
America’s Atonement
Host of multi-award-winning podcast On Being, Krista Tippett joined Lab/Shul’s Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, Rev. Derrick McQueen of the St. James Presbyterian Church, and Yavilah McCoy, the CEO of Dimensions Ed., for a conversation around the core question: Can our religious traditions help America engage with accountability towards repair and redemption?
“Hagar Spills Some Tea” Storahtelling from Rosh Hashanah
In this excerpt from Rosh Hashanah’s Storahtelling, which debuted Rosh Hashanah morning in the Purple Shul, Hagar has the opportunity to share her story, in her own words.
