Lab/Shul
| Lab/Shul | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Non-denominational Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Congregation |
| Leadership | Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | LowerManhattan,New York City,New York (administration office) |
| Country | United States |
  Location in LowerManhattan,New York City | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°43′31″N74°00′22″W/ 40.72539°N 74.00614°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie |
| Date established | 2012(as a congregation) |
| Website | |
| labshul | |
Lab/Shulis anon-denominational Jewishcongregation located inNew York City,New York,United States. The congregation was founded by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, when he was a rabbinical student, in 2012 as an experimental, pop-up synagogue[1]with support from the UJA-Federation, Jewish foundations, and private donors.[2]The intent of the congregation is to experiment with various forms of Jewish practice, hence "Lab" in its name.[2]As of April 2022[update],it has approximately 300 families as members.[3]
Overview[edit]
The organization does not have a permanent location but uses a variety of locations around New York City. Lau-Lavie was originally inspired to found Lab/Shul after serving as an arts educator atB'nai JeshuruninManhattan,where he felt that religious services lacked the theatrical aspects necessary to enable participants (particularly children) to connect with the service; he founded a theater group, Storahtelling, that ultimately grew into Lab/Shul.[1]
The organization describes itself as "everybody friendly," and is prominent among LGBTQ Jews; Lau-Lavie identifies as gay.[4][5]It controversially supportedintermarriageas early as 2017 despite Lau-Lavie's ordination as aConservativerabbi. Lau-Lavie disaffiliated from theRabbinical Assembly.[5]
Lab/Shul frequently holds its events in the round.[6]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic,Lab/Shul experimented with a range of virtual services—including a "ShabbatShaMorning "service overZoomin partnership with theUnion for Reform Judaism.[7]
Lab/Shul is a member of theJewish Emergent Network.
References[edit]
- ^abLeland, John (March 14, 2014)."Synagogue, Rebooted".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^abLipman, Steve (July 30, 2013)."Experimenting With The Synagogue".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
- ^Shimron, Yonat (April 4, 2022)."As Jewish movements struggle, independent rabbinical schools gain a toehold".Religion News Service.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
- ^Henry, Jacob (March 10, 2022)."This Purim, Jews in NYC are ready to party like it's 2019".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
- ^abRosenblatt, Gary (June 14, 2017)."Maverick Rabbi Breaks Ranks Over Intermarriage".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
- ^Hanau, Shira (September 13, 2018)."Kol Nidrei In A Red-Sauce Joint?".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
- ^Prichep, Deena (December 4, 2021)."Worshipers found religious homes near and far thanks to virtual services".NPR.org.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
