• Amichai Lau-Lavie, the 'Sabbath Queen', is forging his own traditions

  • Mar 5 2025
  • Length: 39 mins
  • Podcast

Amichai Lau-Lavie, the 'Sabbath Queen', is forging his own traditions

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  • Summary

  • When Amichai Lau-Lavie realized he was gay, he knew he had to make a choice: hide his identity to abide by his Orthodox upbringing, or be true to himself. It wasn't an easy call for a man whose ancestors had been rabbis for generations—including his uncle and cousin, who both served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel.

    Ultimately, Lau-Lavie decided to split the difference. As an out gay man, he became an Jewish leader, drag performer and rabbi, founding Lab/Shul—a "God-optional" experimental community for Jewish gathering—in New York City. Now, he's also the star of a documentary about his controversial career, Sabbath Queen, which is currently touring the American film festival circuit.

    If anyone is "not that kind of rabbi," it's Amichai Lau-Lavie—and he joins Ralph Benmergui this week on Not That Kind of Rabbi, a show about spirituality and personal journeys.

    Credits

    • Host: Ralph Benmergui
    • Producer: Michael Fraiman
    • Music: Yevhen Onoychenko

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