Lab/Shul is a non-denominational Jewish congregation located in New 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]
| Lab/Shul | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Non-denominational Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Congregation |
| Leadership | Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York (administration office) |
| Country | United States |
  Location in Lower Manhattan, New York City | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°43′31″N 74°00′22″W / 40.72539°N 74.00614°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie |
| Date established | 2012 (as a congregation) |
| Website | |
| labshul | |
Overview
editThe 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 at B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan, 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 supported intermarriage as early as 2017 despite Lau-Lavie's ordination as a Conservative rabbi. Lau-Lavie disaffiliated from the Rabbinical Assembly.[5]
Lab/Shul frequently holds its events in the round.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lab/Shul experimented with a range of virtual services—including a "Shabbat ShaMorning" service over Zoom in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism.[7]
Lab/Shul is a member of the Jewish Emergent Network.
References
edit- ^ a b Leland, John (March 14, 2014). "Synagogue, Rebooted". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ a b Lipman, Steve (July 30, 2013). "Experimenting With The Synagogue". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Shimron, Yonat (April 4, 2022). "As Jewish movements struggle, independent rabbinical schools gain a toehold". Religion News Service. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Henry, Jacob (March 10, 2022). "This Purim, Jews in NYC are ready to party like it's 2019". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Rosenblatt, Gary (June 14, 2017). "Maverick Rabbi Breaks Ranks Over Intermarriage". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Hanau, Shira (September 13, 2018). "Kol Nidrei In A Red-Sauce Joint?". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ Prichep, Deena (December 4, 2021). "Worshipers found religious homes near and far thanks to virtual services". NPR.org. Retrieved April 26, 2022.