Dear Lab/Shul Community,

As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, many of us sit with the gratitude this season invites, the complicated history it carries, and the anticipation of difficult conversations to be had around the feast table.

At Sabbath Queen this past Friday night, Rabbi Amichai spoke about these challenges using a story about how his brother, Rabbi Benny Lau, bravely reached out across the political aisle to meet with Jewish extremists in Israel. CLICK HERE to read some additional clarification and context around the sermon.

>> WATCH: R. AMICHAI’S SERMON <<

I also spoke about the rising danger from loud Antisemites in this country — and how frightening it is to witness mainstream media engaging and even endorsing hateful rhetoric from supremacists such as Nick Fuentes. When is it too far and too much when it comes to giving public voice for these violent and racist viewpoints? I also talked about the visit that our congregation had on Yom Kippur — when elected officials, among them the Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani joined us for prayer. Many rejoiced while some in our community strongly disagreed with our decision to welcome him. How far do we go in welcoming other views and people to build better futures — for us all? 

I want to clarify that these are NOT parallel examples — and there are clear distinctions between ideological differences, hate speech and political assumptions that do or don’t honor the humanity in each of us. And yet — across the spectrum of strong opinions at this tough time — what I hope I highlighted were some ways for us to reconsider how far we can go to be together — in the messy middle of our complex lives. ~ Rabbi Amichai

Rabbi Amichai’s sermon includes one of the most inspiring verses from Torah (Gen 26:29) — a call for reconciliation, peace and bridge building — beyond the pain of the past, in the presence of infinite possibilities for abundance, gratitude and dignity for everyone. 

How far can we go in extending our empathy towards reconciliation, repair and peace without compromising our core truths? Who will we agree to sit with and to listen to even as we deeply disagree; to try and find some common ground for greater good? How do we return to repair and commit to tikkun, for the sake of peace?

This Thanksgiving and into 2026, Lab/Shul is deepening our commitment to inviting more meaningful and honest conversations, and asking the hard questions, even when we are deeply divided and don’t agree. Bridging across divides is never easy, especially with people whom we love and think/feel/vote quite differently than us, and who may not be open to respecting us and our values.

If Lab/Shul has stirred something in you this year — lit a spark, held your heart, offered a moment of meaning — we hope you’ll let that gratitude flow. A year-end gift, from your heart to our home, helps keep the magic going.

>> MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT <<

This Thanksgiving holiday, we hope each of us finds delicious and heartwarming ways to be together, support the needs of so many for food, security, solidarity and warmth. Let this be a moment where we reach a hand across the table, aisle or screen towards another who will benefit from bridge building, just as much as we will. Hand in hand, we return to repair.

Wishing you a meaningful season,
The Lab/Shul Team

PS: Speaking of gratitude…We’re gearing up for Giving Shmoozeday — yes, we’re renaming it from Giving Tuesday, because what better way to honor our community than by showing up and shmoozing with heart? This year’s mission is simple: spread gratitude. Get ready to shmooze with us and share some love! Stay tuned on Tuesday, December 2nd, for a special Shmooze from a fellow Lab/Shuler.