Lab/Shul is an everybody-friendly, artist-driven, God-optional, experimental community for sacred Jewish gatherings based in NYC and reaching the world.
Our Mission
The Lab/Shul community is dedicated to exploring, creating and celebrating innovative opportunities for contemplation, life cycle rituals, the arts, life-long learning and social justice. Building on Storahtelling’s vision and practice, Lab/Shul seeks to redefine the role of sacred gatherings that nourish our thirst for meaning, connection, spirituality and community.
Our Vision
Lab/Shul is a thriving, nurturing spiritual community where inclusive, accessible and radically renewed Jewish ritual promotes deep communal connection and broader societal shift. As a pioneer in redefining the role of sacred gatherings, Lab/Shul visualizes itself as a model for other spiritual communities and a catalyst for global change.
Our Mission
Lab/Shul is a thriving, nurturing spiritual community where inclusive, accessible and radically renewed Jewish ritual promotes deep communal connection and broader societal shift. As a pioneer in redefining the role of sacred gatherings, Lab/Shul visualizes itself as a model for other spiritual communities and a catalyst for global change.
Our Vision
Lab/Shul is a thriving, nurturing spiritual community where inclusive, accessible and radically renewed Jewish ritual promotes deep communal connection and broader societal shift. As a pioneer in redefining the role of sacred gatherings, Lab/Shul visualizes itself as a model for other spiritual communities and a catalyst for global change.
Our Origin
In 1999, Amichai Lau-Lavie, an Israeli educator and performance artist, created Storahtelling: a Jewish ritual theater company that pioneered replicable models for the integration of Jewish education and the performing arts. Storahtelling created multi-generational theatrical productions that re-imagined biblical stories and trained clergy and community leaders to become better storytellers and teachers.
In 2004, Storahtelling began experimenting with alternative and creative worship events for Shabbat and Holidays. Over time, this approach became the main focus and the collective of artists evolved to become a community – and a congregation. Along with friends, supporters, community leaders and social activists we came together to co-create our next chapter: “Lab/Shul” – a laboratory for sacred Jewish experiences.
Our Origin
In 1999, Amichai Lau-Lavie, an Israeli educator and performance artist, created Storahtelling: a Jewish ritual theater company that pioneered replicable models for the integration of Jewish education and the performing arts. Storahtelling created multi-generational theatrical productions that re-imagined biblical stories and trained clergy and community leaders to become better storytellers and teachers.
In 2004, Storahtelling began experimenting with alternative and creative worship events for Shabbat and Holidays. Over time, this approach became the main focus and the collective of artists evolved to become a community – and a congregation. Along with friends, supporters, community leaders and social activists we came together to co-create our next chapter: “Lab/Shul” – a laboratory for sacred Jewish experiences.
“Because of Lab/Shul, I am a better person. I am awakened to a deeper and truer sense of my Jewish identity. I am more in tune with the needs of my local and global communities. I love more openly and with greater presence of heart and soul.”
– Alexis / Park Slope
Our Values
Respect
Respect
We see everyone as a Divine reflection / as Divine, both whole and human, so we treat others as they want to be treated.
Humor
Humor
We embrace humor as a necessary tool for release, well-being, productivity, and connection.
Optimism
Optimism
We are open to possibility, approaching obstacles as opportunities.
Recognition
Recognition
We see, name, and give gratitude/credit to everyone for their contributions.
Balance
Balance
We empower each other to set personal and organizational limits, knowing that every “no” is a “yes” to something else.
Creativity
Creativity
What box? We cultivate space to play, stretch, question, seek, inspire, and offer.
Hineinu
Hineinu
Hebrew for “we are here.” We are responsible to and present for one another, our community, and the world.
re:love
re:love
Our twist on the Hebrew word “v’ahavta.” We commit and recommit to lead with our hearts, practicing Love as a source of and a force for our highest values.
Growth
Growth
We evolve, always becoming. We are growth-oriented, dynamic, and bold. We are always willing to explore the non-traditional, to defy expectations of what a synagogue, Judaism, and spiritual events are.