The Purim story serves as a metaphor for coming out, rising up and living courageously in times of crisis and fear.
The tradition of making noise when Haman’s name is mentioned during the chanting of the Book of Esther is a custom that was developed by our sages over time. The origins of this practice are rooted in the broader Jewish tradition of expressing disdain for Amalek – the ancestor of Haman – and fulfilling the commandment to “blot out the memory of Amalek” (Deuteronomy 25:19).
How do we rise up to “make noise” in this moment against the modern day tyrants that are acute threats to democracy, peace, the climate, and human rights?
Join Lab/Shul for a vibrant array of Purim experiences for all ages, where revelry and radical joy intertwine through SONIC storytelling, interactive art, and immersive ritual celebration.
Click the buttons below or scroll down for all the details on all of our Purim programming.
Now/Next
Dive into the intellectual atmosphere of paradoxes, controversies, and debates at the BESEDA: COJECO Jewish Intellectual Club. With wine and cheese reception. Explore the hidden history and current political purpose of the most misunderstood Jewish holiday with the acclaimed Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.
Dig into the costume closet for this hamantaschen baking party. Gather for this raucous gathering of costumery, storytelling, and hamantaschen cookie making. FamilyLab's Purim celebration creates lasting memories of a truly inside out, upside down story of integrity, courage, and wild hearted mission to change the world. Stand up and make some noise!
Families in our 2024-2025 "Raising the Bar" cohort join together with Project ORE participants to enjoy a festive meal, share foodie-goodie bags (Mishloach manot) and give/receive necessary items to help folks in need.
How Do We Deal with Our Collective Shadows and Lift Up Our Light? Pull up a chair and Join Rabbi Amichai online to explore the political, historical, spiritual and practical dimensions of Purim - the most misunderstood Jewish holiday - at this critical time. This is an open study session + conversation to make sense of Purim in 2025, activating this holiday of upside-down as a powerful portal for cultivation of courage and compassion, resilience and resistance, humor and joy, with our eye on justice and hope - for all.
Join Lab/Shul and Flaminggg to immerse in a Purim Eve experience, where Sonic revelry and performance art collide to transform sacred Noise into a powerful force for this moment.
News
This Purim’s Purpose? // Expand Empathy + Cultivate Courage
Purim's back! Once again, we flip life upside down to celebrate Jewish resilience and release some steam. And wow—do we need it. But in a time when reality already feels upside down—with continued conflicts, [...]
PURIM 5785: The Art of Sonic Resistance
Where else would you want to be this Purim in a year when our world is turning upside down? Join Lab/Shul & Flaminggg NEXT THURSDAY (3/13) for SONIC - a Purim Eve ritual performance [...]
Lab/Shul Highlights JTA’s Mar 4, 2025 Article by R. Amichai Lau-Lavie & Julie Dorf
Christian conservatives have appropriated Queen Esther as a symbol. Let’s take her back. Written By Amichai Lau-Lavie & Julie Dorf March 4, 2025 Queen Esther is back in the news — and it’s not [...]
🔔 NEW PARTNER PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Love is in the Air: A Special Tu B’Av Song Circle
Friday August 8th, 2025
6:30-9:00pm EST
RIDGEWOOD NY*
FOR PARTNERS ONLY
Melissa Shaw, Lab/Shul’s Director of Social Actions warmly invites you (Partners only) into her backyard vineyard for a summertime song/circle in honor of the ancient love harvest of Tu B’Av. Along with Spiritual Leader Shira Kline, we hope you’ll join us for a sweet Sabbath reprieve to light the candles, to connect over a community potluck feast, and to sing songs of love much needed in all its forms.
🍽️ This is a Potluck Dinner Program — PLEASE bring a Vegetarian (and bonus points for gluten free) item to share.
🤍 Attendees are invited to wear white as is traditional for Tu B’Av.
🎶 Feel free to bring musical instruments
*Exact location to be provided upon registration.
📲 Register through link CALENDAR LINK in bio or visit: www.labshul.org/calendar
(max 25 guests)
#labshul #tubav #love #av #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity
🔔 PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Only *TWO MORE* Below the Bible Belt Open Conversations with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie remain in the series.
JULY 30, 2025
5-6pm ET
Online
Join Co-Founder and Senior Spiritual Leader Rabbi @amichailaulavie online for an open conversation about the latest from Below the Bible Belt, Rabbi Amichai’s 3+ years interactive online quest to question, queer + re-read between the lines of the entire Hebrew Bible, daily.
This Zoom session, with gratitude for support, is for paid subscribers of Below the Bible Belt only. A recording of the session will be shared with all subscribers during the following week.
Subscribers will receive the registration link automatically and in a reminder before the event.
CALENDAR LINK in bio or visit:
https://www.labshul.org/event/below-the-bible-belt-open-conversation-with-rabbi-amichai-lau-lavie-3-4/2025-07-30/
🗣️CALLING ALL EXCEPTIONAL TRAINERS…
At our first BECOMING Training Lab - in Brooklyn on August 22-25, 2025 - we’ll be teaching a select group of exceptional people who’ll join us in guiding people of all ages through coming of age journeys at every life stage.
We work with teens and their families, adults in midlife, and elders - celebrating personal growth, communal belonging, and investing in lifelong commitments to what matters most.
We still have a few slots available for exceptional trainers!
✨Want to join us?✨
Learn more and apply at labshul.org/becoming-training-lab
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #becoming #traininglab #becomingtraininlab
🔔PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Raising the Bar: Experimental Family Workshop
Saturday, July 12th, 2025
10:00 AM EST
Lab/Shul Raising the Bar B Mitzvah Team invites your family to dive into one of the oldest stories in the Jewish tradition through your own family’s story – in this interactive, artistic, engaging playshop. This session is designed to cultivate empathy, curiosity and imagination through creative, playful experiences to connect to self, others and the world.
Snacks provided - BYO heart and spirit!
🔗More info through the CALENDAR LINK in our bio or by visiting:
https://www.labshul.org/event/raising-the-bar-playshop-program/ (https://www.canva.com/link?target=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.labshul.org%2Fevent%2Fraising-the-bar-playshop-program%2F&design=DAGc2OxIsyo&accessRole=editor&linkSource=comment)
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism
🔔PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Pride Shabbat
Friday, June 27, 2025
7pm EST 🌈
One week from tonight… @Lab/Shul, along with our friends at @14streety and @smqnetwork invite you to a Pride Shabbat like no other: part ritual, part performance, all queer joy. 🌈🌈🌈
This one-of-a-kind evening reimagines Shabbat by weaving together drag, prayer, music, and bold new interpretations of Jewish text, brought to life by a phenomenal lineup of LABA(@laba.nyc) artists and friends. Through powerful storytelling, theatrical flair, and campy brilliance, we’ll celebrate LGBTQ+ voices and experiences within Jewish tradition. A light reception will follow the performance — we’ll mingle, nosh, and keep the celebration going.
Come as you are, bring your joy, and, together, create something sacred.
🔗More info through the CALENDAR LINK in our bio or by visiting:
https://www.labshul.org/event/pride-shabbat-14y/
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity
Our hearts are full. Your presence at our Spring Gala was a powerful reminder of what our special community can hold. From the ritual program, to the dance floor, and of course on the bowling lanes, your presence and energy was deeply resonant.
If you haven’t yet, you still have a chance to share a blessing with the Lab/Shul community >> labshul.shulcloud.com/form/gala-2025-blessing.html
⏯️If you’d like to relive some highlights or in case you were not able to join us, we invite you to watch the three tribute videos from the ritual program, in celebration of our guests of honor Karen Hershey & @larrygreenstuff Larry Green, @marnie_berk & @jonsilvan and Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver Legacy Award recipients, @aiki_art29 and @thebearmaiden.
👀 Check out the YOUTUBE link in bio or visit >> youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDPYgkI_VGL1THubn4pEWw98WhEVDOMDx&si=edGLjEGNeCxQRQI7
📸 Select photos from the night are up! Keep checking back as we continue to add more. BIG THANK YOU to @alevinphotography @iampetercooper & @magneticmemoriz for capturing the night so beautifully.
👀 >> www.facebook.com/share/19aUBJufGB/?
🌀 Tonight, we BElong together. 🌀
In these dark times, being in community is not just meaningful, it’s essential.
Tonight’s Gala is more than a celebration, it’s a time to ground ourselves in connection and in collective prayer for peace.
This is your last chance to join us to honor four extraordinary individuals who’ve helped shape Lab/Shul’s journey: @marnie_berk & @jonsilvan and @khevents & Larry Green.
We’re also delighted to recognize Aiki (Karen) Kelley and @thebearmaiden with the Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver Legacy Award.
Can’t join us tonight?
We invite you to offer a blessing or words of well wishes to Lab/Shul or any of our honorees or award recipients with a contribution that works for you.
📲 GALA LINK in bio to register or share a blessing >> www.labshul.org/gala-2025
As crisis deepens, and as heartbreak and uncertainty ripple domestically and abroad, we are profoundly aware that our coming together in celebration this Wednesday also offers us an urgent opportunity for grounding, connection and prayers for peace.
It’s not too late to join us for our Spring Gala on June 18 — THIS WEDNESDAY — tickets are going fast, but some seats still remain for our ritual program.
📲 GALA link in bio or visit: https://www.labshul.org/gala-2025/
