Dear Lab/Shul,

In what do you trust? Who do you trust?

The weather forecast? Your government? The stock market? Your doctor’s wisdom? Astrology? Gravity? Democracy? Grandma? God??

In 1955, inspired by the evangelical leader Billy Graham, President Eisenhower signed a bill placing “In God We Trust” on all American currency. The next bill he signed made it the official US motto. Although the phrase was in use during the Civil War it was during the early years of the Cold War that the fight with Communism put God on the American money (and was added to the Pledge of Allegiance.)

We were shocked to learn these facts a few months ago, as we began preparing for our new High Holy Days Season, with our focus on HAVAYA – Everpresence. Using this intention we are seeking to reframe our relationship with whatever the divine means to our God-optional community, explore new ways to name the sacred, and cultivate more inner trust. Our relationships with whatever God is or isn’t are complex, and in recent years we have seen just how toxic and damaging the union of extreme religious and political views can be to the wellbeing of nations – including the United States, Iran, and now, of course – Israel.

So this fall, as we begin a brave new year, with so many questions about stability and shifts in our world, we want to ask together – in what do we trust? How can we build more trust among each other towards a more perfect union and more hopeful, healthy lives for all?

We’ll begin this journey of exploration on August 18th – the first day of the month of Elul.

Here’s how we’ll do this, and how you can participate:

Naomi holding prepent signEach day, starting 8/18 and ending on Yom Kippur, 9/25, we’ll post one photo+short text submitted by YOU – Lab/Shul Partners and global community members.

  1. Use this printable sign to write in your answer, snap a picture, write a short paragraph about your choice, and send it in to us using this form. You can also create your own sign and share with us!

  2. We’ll be posting these daily offerings on our social media and website. You can also subscribe to get them in your inbox, for 40 days.

  3. The entire collection will be on display at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center as an ongoing gallery during the High Holy Days, and attendees will be able to create new versions right on the spot. We’ll be talking about your choices on Yom Kippur – exploring, together, what it means to rebuild trust and re-imagine the sacred.

PRINT HERE

SUBMIT HERE

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Ready to get started and PrePent together?

PrePent 2023 Launch Event: Join us in along other Lab/Shul friends – in NYC and online – on August 17th at 6pm Eastern — the new month of Elul. We’ll study, sing, eat and start creating some new trust signs, as a form of political and spiritual activism. All are welcome!

Learn more and RSVP here. Manhattan address provided upon registration.

Excited? We are! We’re really glad to invite you to join the Lab/Shul family in exploring these big questions as we prepare to start the new Jewish year with more focus, presence, creativity — and trust.

Meanwhile – happy and healthy summer days — hydrate!

Rabbi Amichai & Naomi Less, PrePent Team 5784/2023