On June 18, 2024, more than 250 of us joined together at Brooklyn Bowl for our sold out Gala, to celebrate the storytellers, leaders and healers in our midst, as well as the World Premiere of the “Sabbath Queen” documentary, 21 years in the making. Thank you to so many who joined, sent blessings and well wishes. Your generosity enabled us to raise more than $300,000 to help us thrive!

There’s still time to make a financial contribution in support of Lab/Shul’s transformative work and offer a blessing to any of our honorees and award recipients.

ABOUT SABBATH QUEEN

Rabbi Amichai and Lab/Shul are at pivotal moments of growth, after two decades of bringing to fruition a collective vision for a more inclusive, empathetic, and engaged world. Sabbath Queen, premiering June 9th at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, is a vibrant tapestry showcasing Rabbi Amichai’s visionary leadership and the birth and evolution of Lab/Shul. It captures its essence as a beacon of innovation, ritual, and community-building, and is a testament to the transformative power of Lab/Shul as a center of spiritual creativity and engagement. The film is poised to inspire individuals across the globe to connect, reflect, and act, offering a unique platform to advance Rabbi Amichai’s profile and Lab/Shul’s mission on a global scale.

GALA HONOREE

Sandi DuBowski

Sandi DuBowski was one of the original investors in the co-creation of Lab/Shul in 2013. Since then he has served in various leadership roles in the community. He is a member of the Visionary Circle, one of the volunteer circle holders of the Kaddish Club, and previously a member of the Justice Team and the LGBTQ affinity group. Sandi has also produced more than a dozen Lab/Shul promotional and tribute videos.

Sandi is the Director/Producer of Sabbath Queen, Director/Producer of Trembling Before G-d, Producer of A Jihad for Love, and Co-Producer of Budrus. His award-winning work has screened at Sundance, Berlin, Tribeca and Toronto, theatrically released in 150 cities, and broadcast on ZDF/Arte, BBC, Channel 4, PBS.

In 2020, he was invited to become a member of the Documentary Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Sandi spearheaded a groundbreaking impact campaign with the award-winning Trembling Before G-d, personally conducting 850 live events, for over 250,000 people, which changed the lives of countless individuals, their families, religious leaders, and communities around the world. Religious parents who had disowned their gay or lesbian children started speaking to them after seeing the film. Multiple Orthodox synagogues invited the film to screen inside the synagogues. The film helped catalyze the formation of JQY – Jewish Queer Youth – a week after it opened in theaters in NYC. And with the film’s organizing in the Conservative Jewish world, it was part of a movement that changed the law and allowed the ordination of gay and lesbian Conservative Jewish rabbis and the approval of same-sex marriages. All of this generated intense media interest – feature stories on the project appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, NPR, The Globe and Mail, and BBC News.

From 2009-2016, Sandi worked with over 125 of the world’s best social justice documentaries as the Outreach Director of Doc Society’s Good Pitch. He is Co-Founder of The Creative Resistance, a collective of media makers who create award-winning political ads and design. In the mid-1990’s he began his media and activism work at Planned Parenthood Federation of America focused on the Christian right and the anti-abortion movement.

Three generations of DuBowski’s family made chocolate syrup in Deep Coastal Brooklyn.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Maryam Chishti

Community Leadership Award

Read about Maryam >

Rima DuBowski

Jodi Cohen & L. Michael Graver Legacy Award

Read about Rima >

Libby Lenkinski

Shift/Maker Award

Read about Libby >

GALA CO-CHAIRS

Shira & Alex Cornfeld
Francine Hermelin & Adam Levite
Rebecca & Peter Shapiro
Audrey Weiner & Jeff Solomon

HOST COMMITTEE

(IN FORMATION)

Jacquie & Todd Brecher
Karen Hershey & Larry Green
Jonah Kanner
Franny Silverman & Mike Newman
Jen Pehr & Jon Ross
Sarah & Jeremy Sokolic
Marnie Berk & Jon Silvan

SPONSORSHIPS & TICKETS

Premier Reserved Seating

Sponsors

(In Formation)

Epic: $20,000+

  • Premier seating for 10
  • Listed as Epic in invitation, event screen, and website
  • Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
  • Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party Bowling Tournament
  • Exclusive private study salon for 10 with Rabbi Amichai
  • Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen
  • 2 tickets to the June 9th world premiere of Sabbath Queen at the Tribeca Film Festival
  • Entry into Lab/Shul’s “Visionary Circle”*

Saga: $10,000+

  • Premium seating for 8
  • Listed as Saga in invitation, event screen, and website
  • Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
  • Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party Bowling Tournament
  • Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen
  • 2 tickets to the June 9th world premiere of Sabbath Queen at the Tribeca Film Festival
  • Entry into Lab/Shul’s “Visionary Circle”*

Legend: $5,000+

  • Priority seating for 4
  • Listed as Legend in invitation, event screens, and website
  • Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
  • Early access to sign up for bowling lane at the After Party Bowling Tournament
  • Shabbat dinner with Lab/Shul Ritual Team at an upcoming Sabbath Queen

Preferred Seating

Myth: $2,500+

  • 2 Tickets
  • Preferred seating
  • Invitation for 2 to pre-event Sponsor reception
  • Listed as Myth on invitation, event screens, and website

Fable: $900+

  • 1 Ticket
  • Preferred seating
  • Invitation for 1 to pre-event Sponsor reception
  • Listed on tribute screens during the event

GENERAL ADMISSION
(1 TICKET)

Tale: $350+

Story: $180+

A limited number of tickets are available at this level.

Poem: $70+

Welcoming our extended community at a subsidized price-point. A limited number of tickets are available at this level.

AFTER PARTY ONLY TICKET

After Party Only: $45+

  • Admission after 9:30pm
  • Light nosh
  • Open bar available until 10:30pm (cash bar open thereafter)
  • Access to Bowling Lanes (based on availability)
  • DJ Dance party

Epic:

Sarah Connors & Michael Dorf
Sally Gottesman
Jeff Schoenfeld & Matt Holbein
Dorian Goldman & Marvin Israelow
Marnie Berk & Jon Silvan
Audrey Weiner & Jeffrey Solomon

Saga:

Cheryl Whaley & Eric Aboaf
Melanie Baise
Hallie & Nat Boas
Shira & Alex Cornfeld
Natalie Cuchel
Rebecca Sharzer & Aaron Friedman
Lori Roth Gale & Brian Gale
Janee Graver
Stuart & Debbie Himmelfarb
Lisa Kaye
Marina & Steven Kaufman
Francine Hermelin & Adam Levite
Liz Hirsch & Karen Pratt
The Schlesinger Family Foundation

Legend:

Rima Dubowski
Karen Hershey & Larry Green
Les & Gail Funtleyder
Madelyn & Steven Wils

Myth:

Michelle Freedman & Jerry Block
Pamela Rubin Carter & Jon Carter
Susan Popper & Rocky Greenberg
Ginger & David Komar
Rebecca Weller & Adam Stettner

Fable:

Chaya Barash & Jed Kwartler
Craig Kanarick & Jayna Wallach
Wendy Shlensky

Corporate Sponsorships

IS YOUR BUSINESS INTERESTED IN ENHANCING YOUR BRAND VISIBILITY?

Become a Corporate Sponsor of the Lab/Shul Gala and enjoy a range of on site and long-term benefits that demonstrate your commitment to supporting community and philanthropic initiatives. Examples include: Premier seating at the Gala, on-site signage, pre-event Sponsor reception, promotional item giveaways, web and social media recognition.

City Winery logo

Questions?

Questions about event sponsorship or tickets?

Email hello@labshul.org

Not able to join us in person?

We invite you to offer a blessing or well wishes to the honorees.

Contributions in any amount are welcome! Click here to offer a blessing.

AFTER PARTY ONLY TICKET

After Party Only: $45+

  • Admission after 9:30pm
  • Light nosh
  • Open bar available until 10:30pm (cash bar thereafter)
  • Access to Bowling Lanes (based on availability)
  • DJ Dance party

*LAB/SHUL VISIONARY CIRCLE:

Lab/Shul Partners who contribute $10,000 and above annually are invited to join the Visionary Circle, a think tank and social network led by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie that addresses challenging and controversial issues facing the Jewish community. The salons feature Rabbi Amichai and other guest teachers, leading study sessions and discussions through a lens of inclusivity, progress and justice, and utilizing Jewish texts as sources of context. With Lab/Shul’s Everybody Friendly mission as a driving force, Visionary Circle topics include inclusivity and post-tribalism; patrilineal descent, racism, intermarriage; God and theology, prayer; Israel/Palestine; and antisemitism.

ON-SITE VOLUNTEERING:

We are gladly welcoming a limited number of on-site volunteers to serve as greeters and to assist with registration and some on-site programming. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact stephen@labshul.org.

Blessings

Blessings

As we bask in the afterglow of our Gala, our hearts remain heavy from the impact of the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza. May we continue to open our hearts to compassion while seeing the Divine in the eyes of every human on earth. 

Thank you, Lab/Shul community, for being the vibrant and nurturing ecosystem that allows us to thrive, gather, love, and heal. 

Stay tuned for more captured moments…

#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #labshulgala #sabbathqueen
Tonight is the night…our Gala is SOLD OUT but there are still ways to join us to honor @sandidubowski and recognize @maryamlchishti, Rima DuBowski and @libbylenkinski - Lab/Shulers who have nurtured this beloved experiment into an innovative and thriving community.
 
👉Join us at 9:30pm for our After Party “Bowling Bash” + DJ Dance Party + Open Bar & Lite Nosh. Hosted by two of our favorite Lab/Shul artists (@amanda_erin_miller & @melissadawnshaw) with a Dance Party hosted by DJ Party Girl (aka @stuartbmeyers)!

👉Can’t join us in person? Offer a blessing or words of well wishes to Lab/Shul, Sandi, or any of our award recipients with a contribution that works for you. Click here to send your blessing. 🔗link in bio🔗

#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #labshulgala #sabbathqueen
UPDATE: we are now SOLD OUT! (After Party Registration still open)

As of 6/14 at 4pm EST 👉 ONLY STANDING ROOM TICKETS remain for the 90 minute ritual program.

All reservations will include open seating during cocktail hour and space to stand for the 90-minute ritual program. 

If you have accessibility concerns, please email hello@labshul.org.

#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #labshulgala #sabbathqueen
Think you missed the deadline?? GOOD NEWS… 
🚨 Tickets are still available… Standing Room Only!!!🚨

👉Link in bio to register👈

Here at Lab/Shul, we know that through stories we heal. We hope you will join us to celebrate our storytellers and community members @sandidubowski, @maryamlchishti, Rima DuBowski and @libbylenkinski next week at our Spring Gala. 

👉Tickets priced to meet every budget, so we can celebrate with the entire community!👈

#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #labshulgala #sabbathqueen
Update:🚨STANDING ROOM TIX STILL AVAILABLE🚨 

You’ve heard about our Spring Gala on June 18 (and reserved your spot too?) … But, have you heard enough about the Gala After Party // Bowling bash?!👇👇👇

We’ll continue to Honor Our Storytellers as two of our amazing Storahtellers take to the co-hosting stage of our BOWLING BASH! Starting at 9:30pm at @brooklynbowl, you’ll meet Edith Shlivovitz, one of @amanda_erin_miller’s inimitable theatrical personas, and her partner Pierre (played by Lab/Shul Partner, @melissadawnshaw)! 

🎳 Join us to enjoy our open bar, light nosh, dancing party and Bowling Bash with DJ PartyGirl (aka Lab/Shul resident artist @stuartbmeyers) 🎳 

#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #afterparty #bowling #labshulgala
Rabbi Amichai says: “Our words can build worlds…Words will help us name the hurt and hopes, and lead the way to our deeds and actions. This is how we build a better world even when our dreams are as tired as our wishes.” 

👉Join us on June 18th as we honor the sacred Storytellers in our community👈

🚨 tix available until 6/12🚨

✨This year, we are shining a spotlight on the the amazing venue: @brooklynbowl: known for their live music, bowling and food! So, you know it’s THE place for our artist-driven community! Join us to celebrate and to heal through togetherness✨

🔗Link in bio to register 🔗
6:30 pm | Brooklyn Bowl | Gala Rituals | Dinner
9:30 pm | Brooklyn Bowl | After Party: Bowling Bash

Can’t join us?
We invite you to share a blessing or well wishes to Lab/Shul or any of our community members being honored and recognized that evening.

All info can be found here: https://www.labshul.org/gala-2024/

#labshul #labshulgala #storytelling #storytellers #Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity
Update:
🚨STANDING ROOM TIX STILL AVAILABLE🚨

Here at Lab/Shul, we know that through stories we heal. Join us to celebrate our storytellers and community members @sandidubowski, @maryamlchishti, Rima DuBowski and @libbylenkinski next week at our Spring Gala. Tickets priced to meet every budget, so we can celebrate with the entire community!

🔗TIX IN BIO🔗

PLEASE NOTE:
🚨This Wednesday (6/12) is the last day to RESERVE YOUR SPOT for the Gala and our BOWLING BASH AFTER PARTY! 🚨 

#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #labshulgala #sabbathqueen
Curious about who the Sabbath Queen is? And why this entity is so important? Well, our very own Rabbi @amichailaulavie has a message encouraging us all to meet in the “messy middle” to heal and build better worlds.

 His sermon from Sabbath Queen’s Friday evening ritual - in its entirety - is now live on our YouTube page (link in bio).

If this message and all that our community embodies resonates with you, we welcome you to join us on June 18 to celebrate our storytellers and to heal through togetherness! 

🔗Link in bio to register🔗
6:30 pm | Brooklyn | Gala Rituals | Dinner
9:30 pm | Brooklyn | After Party: Bowling Bash
All info can be found here: https://www.labshul.org/gala-2024/

#labshul #labshulgala #storytelling #storytellers #Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity