Lawson Shadburn and his spouse, Susan Ritz, joined Kolot in or around 2004 as they fled what they have called “culture wars” going on at a nearby reform synagogue.  Their two younger children made their B’nai mitzvah at Kolot in 2026. A Jew by choice, Lawson has been deeply engaged as a Shabbat regular and participant in various committees, gatherings, and groups over the years.  Lawson has assisted in leading services occasionally for over a decade, standing in for, or perhaps collaborating with, Cantor Lisa B. Segal, from whom he has learned over 90% of what he knows about Jewish liturgical tunes.