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STORAHTELLING LAB SHUL INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 463877785 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE X99 · Religion-Related · Medium ($1M-$10M) · labshul.org
revenue
$1.9M
expenses
$1.8M
net assets
$2K
employees
7
volunteers
9
program ratio
76%
mission · from form 990

DEDICATED TO EXPLORING, CREATING AND CELEBRATING INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMTEMPLATION, LIFE CYCLE RITUALS, THE ARTS, LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. BUILDING ON THE ORGANIZATION'S VISION AND PRACTICE, THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO REDEFINE THE ROLE OF SACRED GATHERINGS THAT NOURISH OUR THIRST FOR MEANING, CONNECTION, SPIRITUALITY AND COMMUNITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Lab/Shul is an experimental, inclusive Jewish community based in New York City that reimagines sacred gatherings through contemplative practice, lifelong learning, and social justice. It offers innovative programs in ritual, education, and communal care, grounded in a God-optional, artist-driven approach. The organization serves diverse spiritual seekers locally and globally through virtual and in-person experiences.

named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Alef/Bet
Online interactive study series exploring Jewish wisdom, values, and practices from an inclusive, justice-driven perspective for adult learners of all backgrounds
FamilyLab
Grassroots, home-based drop-in program offering Jewish seasonal curriculum for families with children ages 0-8
High Holy Days of Awe
Annual sacred season celebrations for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur focused on renewal, intention, and communal reflection
READ (Racial Equity and Action Delegation)
Community group dedicated to advancing racial equity within Lab/Shul through education, action, and organizational change
Sabbath Queen
Friday night ritual circle featuring live music, mindfulness, and poetic intentions to welcome the Sabbath
Weekly Virtual Mourners Call
Online gathering for individuals mourning loved ones, featuring shared stories, sacred teachings, and communal recitation of the Kaddish
Zen Shabbat
Shared spiritual experience harmonizing Jewish and Zen traditions in celebration of the Sabbath spirit
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 3 activities
    • Host holiday and High Holy Days celebrations
      Hosts annual High Holy Days services and seasonal holiday programs including Passover seders, Hanukkah celebrations, Purim events, Shavuot festivals, and Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur observances. Programs include music, art, study, and family-friendly activities for all ages.
    • Host weekly and monthly Shabbat programs
      Hosts weekly Friday Shabbat programs including table rituals, blessings, and interactive intentions, followed by small-group socializing. Also hosts monthly Sabbath gatherings that feature guest musicians, poets, and visual artists, as well as ritual circles with live music, mindfulness, and poetic intentions to welcome the Sabbath.
    • Integrate Zen and interfaith practices into Jewish observance
      Hosts Zen Shabbat and other hybrid rituals that harmonize Jewish and Zen traditions, offering a shared ritual experience centered on mindfulness and spiritual celebration of the Sabbath.
  • Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Advance racial equity through internal community work
      Operates the Racial Equity and Action Delegation (READ), a group of staff, board, and community members dedicated to advancing racial equity within the organization and its practices.
  • Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
    • Build artistic and storytelling capacity in Jewish leadership
      Employs a full-time artistic director and partners annually with visual artists to develop a cohesive visual language across programming. Trains clergy and community leaders in storytelling, performance, and creative teaching methods.
  • Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
    • Deliver experiential Jewish education programs for children and families
      Offers creative, play-based education for children ages 0–8th grade through programs like FamilyLab, Learning Lab/Jr., and holiday-specific labs (PlayLab, KidLab, TweenLab). Activities include storytelling, art, cooking, music, and exploration of Jewish festivals and traditions.
  • Interfaith Dialogue & Peacebuilding 1 activity
    • Foster multifaith and civic collaboration
      Engages in multifaith and civic partnerships to support people in need and contribute to the well-being of New York and the broader world, co-creating community with diverse spiritual and cultural traditions.
  • Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
    • Produce multi-generational theatrical and artistic performances
      Produces multi-generational theatrical performances integrated with public Torah readings, including annual festivals centered on the Book of Esther and re-imagined biblical stories. These events feature original artistic interpretations and involve community members, clergy, and artists in creative storytelling.
  • Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
    • Provide online Jewish learning and study programs for adults
      Offers multi-year and session-based online learning programs for adult learners, including daily reflections, weekly videos, monthly sessions, and interactive study on biblical texts, Jewish values, and ritual objects. Programs emphasize inclusivity, justice, and contemporary engagement with tradition.
  • Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
    • Support immigrants and refugees through fundraising and events
      Organizes fundraising initiatives and event planning to support immigrants and refugees, engaging the community in civic and humanitarian action.
  • Jewish and Hindu Funeral Rites Support 1 activity
    • Support mourners through Kaddish programs and grief resources
      Hosts weekly Virtual Kaddish Calls, monthly Kaddish Club Dinners, and seasonal ReCollect/Yizkor Gatherings to support individuals experiencing grief. Provides downloadable Kaddish resources and emotional support for funeral planning and remembrance.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Facilitate life cycle rituals and ceremonies
      Co-creates personalized baby welcome ceremonies, B Mitzvah programs, weddings, and funeral services that blend tradition with contemporary values and individual expression. Supports families in designing meaningful rites of passage connected to community and spiritual growth.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.94M
Contributions & grants$1.05M54%
Program service revenue$891K46%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.83M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$999K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$67K
Cash$49K
Investments$0
Liabilities$65K
Net assets$2K
Liquid reserves0.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +16.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
AMICHAI LAU-LAVIE FOUNDER & SPIRITUAL LEADER & SENIOR CLERGY 40 $187K
SHIRA KLINE SPIRITUAL LEADER & DIR. OF FAMILY PROG. 40 $173K
SARAH SOKOLIC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $171K
board members · 9
  • ANDREW KASSOY — DIRECTOR
  • AVA SCHLESINGER — DIRECTOR
  • FRANNY SILVERMAN — DIRECTOR
  • JEN PEHR — SECRETARY
  • JON SILVAN — CHAIR
  • LARRY GREEN — DIRECTOR
  • PETER GRAYSON — DIRECTOR
  • TODD BRECHER — TREASURER
  • TOM HARIG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 32

Who they work with

  • AYIN Press Partner — Co-produced the Alef/Bet online learning course with Lab/Shul
  • Academy for Jewish Religion Government — Community leader Amichai Lau-Lavie is studying for rabbinic ordination at this institution affiliated with the Conservative movement.
  • Beloved Brooklyn Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Ben Freeman Partner — Associate Clergy and contact person for the Racial Equity and Action Delegation (READ) initiative.
  • Bnai Jeshurun Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Cornershop Creative Partner — Collaborator credited as author of content on Lab/Shul website
  • Downtown Jewish Life Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • HIAS Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Honeymoon Israel Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Immigration Equality Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • International School of Peace Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Jewish Community Harlem Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Jewish Emergent Network Network — Member of a network supporting innovative Jewish communities.
  • Judson Memorial Church Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Mayor's Office of Faith and Community Partnerships Government — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Muslim Community Network Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • NYC Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Naomi Less Partner — Co-leader of the B Mitzvah program, point of contact for wedding prep and funeral services, and staff member supporting the Kaddish Club.
  • New Sanctuary NYC Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • PJ Library Partner — Collaborates with PJ Library as part of the PJ Library New York Partnership Network to connect families with free books and programming.
  • Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie Partner — Co-leader of the B Mitzvah program and member of the Lab/Shul team.
  • Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie Partner — Lead teacher and facilitator of multiple learning and spiritual programs including Alef/Bet and Heirlooms.
  • Reboot Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Reboot Studios Partner — Co-produced the Alef/Bet online learning course with Lab/Shul
  • Riverside Language School Partner — Partnership to support refugees newly arriving in New York City.
  • Shira Kline Partner — Point of contact for baby welcome ceremonies and wedding consultations.
  • St. James Presbyterian Church Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
  • Storahtelling Partner — Evolved from Storahtelling, a Jewish ritual theater company, to become Lab/Shul.
  • Team TLC NYC Partner — Partnership to support refugees newly arriving in New York City.
  • UJA-Federation of New York Partner — Collaborates on building multifaith and civic bridges and supporting people in need.
+ 2 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Artist-Driven Co-Creation Model
    methodology: artist_driven_spirituality
    By integrating artists into spiritual practice, education, and ritual design, the organization produces deeper spiritual engagement and inclusive community experiences because artistic expression fosters emotional resonance, personal relevance, and innovative reinterpretation of tradition.
  • Co-Creative, Personalized Ritual Design
    methodology: co-created_ritual
    By co-creating rituals with individuals and communities, the organization produces more meaningful and soulful life-cycle events because rejecting one-size-fits-all models allows for personal relevance and deeper emotional connection.
  • Values-Integrated Experiential Framework
    methodology: integrated_spiritual_framework
    By structuring every gathering around the integrated core elements of Soul, Wisdom, and Together, the organization produces holistic, meaningful experiences because this framework ensures spiritual depth, intellectual engagement, and communal care are consistently co-present and mutually reinforcing.