As I prepare to begin my eight-week Sabbatical this summer, I want to take a moment to thank you for your support, your partnership, and the shared commitment we bring to this bold experiment called Lab/Shul.
This time away is a privilege that has been in the making for the past 18 months, and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to step away from the work I love doing, so that I can rest, restore and return refreshed and inspired to continue to lead our community. During my time away, Rabbi Amichai and the Lab/Shul staff and Board are prepared and ready to support you, our beloved Partners and extended global community as needed.
A Personal Invitation:
As the local and global political landscape continues to weigh heavily on our hearts and minds, it’s also tearing at our communities, our families and longtime friendships. This summer, I invite you to consider what actions you can take to become a better listener, how you can approach challenging conversations with curiosity, and what it will take for you to cultivate greater compassion for people whose life experiences are different from yours. Where can you become a bridge-builder?
At our Spring Gala last week, I coined a new term, introducing an additional guiding principle for our community. Lab/Shul will become the very first “Anti-Divisivist” Jewish spiritual community. Being Anti-Divisivist means that we are committed to bridge-building across divides, to deepen human connection, and to nurture and facilitate space for complexity and nuance, especially in charged moments. In a time when polarization is pulling people apart, Lab/Shul will show up, and walk the talk of unity without uniformity. Stay tuned for more about this in our new five-year strategic plan this fall and at our High Holy Days of Awe. (Lab/Shul Partners: Receive 40% off High Holy Days seats; Early bird pricing in effect through August 15.)
Wellness Week Office Closure:
Next week, our office will close for one of two annual Wellness Weeks – part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and care for our hard-working staff. This week of rest and my summer Sabbatical are some of the ways we build and sustain a just and joyful spiritual community, modeling the change we seek in the world around us.
Want to invest in this future vision? Become a Lab/Shul Partner or renew your Partnerhood today.
Despite rising costs across all of our major budget lines, we’ve kept contribution levels flat for 5786.
Celebrating Pride This Weekend? 🌈Join us for Pride Shabbat at 7pm tonight!
I look forward to returning on September 2nd – rested, renewed, and ready for 5786 and beyond.
May you, too, find opportunities for restoration and recharge this summer.
With gratitude and love,
Sarah Sokolic
Co-Founder & Executive Director
