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.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Maryam served as a 2022 Fellow of the Jews of Color Initiative. During her placement at Lab/Shul Maryam she helped to lead community engagement efforts for multiple programs including “Seder Queen – A Jew Of Color-Centered Seder”, Zen Shabbat, “Sisters Count” during the Omer, and “Rise From Rubble” Interfaith Tisha B’av Program. After her fellowship concluded, Maryam continued working with Lab/Shul to support a wide range of programming. Maryam exemplifies Lab/Shul’s mission and ethos and is a model for the Jewish future.
Rima is a compassionate and community-oriented person, widely recognized for her quiet acts of kindness and steadfast support for those in need. A native of Glendale, NY, and the daughter of Polish immigrants, Rima grew up in a complex social environment during WWII. Her early experiences in a German neighborhood with historical ties to Nazi sympathizers have profoundly shaped her empathetic and inclusive approach to community engagement throughout her lifetime.
Libby Lenkinski is the founding President of Albi, a new fund, institute and lab built to power culture change in and about Israel-Palestine. She currently also serves as Vice President for Public Engagement at the New Israel Fund, where she has led all aspects of NIF’s public efforts in the United States for the last decade – including communications, digital, programs, events, leadership, community partnerships and engagement, New Generations and our fellowships. Prior to joining NIF, Libby lived and worked in the Israeli non-profit field for almost a decade. Libby currently serves on the board of Jewish Currents Magazine, Heeb Magazine, Juice Media House and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Arab Israeli Issues and is on the International Advisory Committees for Ayin Press and Diaspora Alliance. Libby is currently working as Impact Producer for H2: Occupation Lab (by Noam Sheizaf and Hila Medalia, Consulting Story Producer for Sabbath Queen (by Sandi Dubowski), and co-Producer on Israelism (by Eric Axleman) and the Other (by Joy Selah). Libby is based in Brooklyn and travels to Israel-Palestine frequently.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
Premier Reserved Seating
Sponsors
(In Formation)
Epic: $20,000+Preferred Seating
GENERAL ADMISSION
(1 TICKET)
AFTER PARTY ONLY TICKET
Corporate Sponsorships
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
*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
Lab/Shul, may you go from strength to strength. Thank you for being there in this challenging year.
Daniel Kertzner
Mazel Tov!
Jennifer Levine
Thank you, Lab/Shul, for offering Judaism even this far-flung apple can love.
Katalin Balog
Mazels Libby and Sandi on your honors!
Stacey Reiss
Congrats to all the honorees!
Yonatan Israel & Ronit Muszkatblit
Celebrating this profound community and exceptional leadership! So sorry to miss this year's Gala.
Beth Kaufman & Mark Miller
Mazel Tov to all!
Alyssa Katz
Thank you to everyone for all that you do to building a more open and kind world.
Rachelle Vagy
Mazel Tov to Lab/Shul! Sandi, your movie was incredible! We loved it.
Nathaniel Obler, Summer Seacrest, & Lorraine Obler
May you continue to spread your wings as far as the horizon expands.
Helana Darwin & Matthew Zimmer
May this community continue to be radically unique and release in us the Queen that resides in splendor in all of us!
Stephen Silva
Huge thank you to the entire Lab/Shul team and volunteers for bringing us all together in peace and celebration! We are honored to be a new part of this community.
Lauren & Tom Stanton
Sandi, in showing the world the gift to it that is Amichai, you have given yet another gift to us all. The message of letting love be the engine driving necessary change in the world could not be timelier than it is right now. And Amichai, thank you for your openness, honesty and bravery in allowing Sandi -- and thus his audience -- into your life as you have. You've done so much...and you're not even half-way to 120! It's exciting to imagine what's to come! Our admiration, appreciation and love to you both!!!!!
Rhona, Jack & Peter
Mazel tov and gratitude to Sandi and Lab/Shul for bringing forth what is needed with beautiful timing and artistry.
Mijanou Mosher
May the generosity of all shine out to the world with growing Blessings, Wellness, and Equity <3
Luis Winter
Jewish mysticism teaches that at all times there are thirty-six righteous souls - the Lamed Vavnikim - who embody humility and experience the divine presence through their good works. While tradition maintains that the identifies of the Lamed Vavnikim are unbeknownst to the world or each other, here we have an exception: three beautiful souls — Sandi, Libby and Rima who have spread their love, joy and a yearning for peace and mutual understanding to our world through their work and through their deep connections to and support of each other. Mazal Tov on this richly deserved honor!
Matt Nosanchuk
Mazal tov on this moment. You shine, queens.
Sheridan Gayer
Bless Sandi, Amichai, and the Sabbath Queen movie project. I've known about it since the very beginning, and it is truly a miracle.
David Grotell
Very touching movie, thanks for sharing Amichai's thoughts and feelings.
Miriam Tetelbaum
Mazel Tov to Sandi DuBowski for his beautiful film, Sabbath Queen.
Susannah Perlman
Thank you Sandi, for without you, we would never have discovered Lab/Shul, which has had a lasting positive impact on our lives.
Jennifer Ostrega
Blessings and congratulations to your Co-Founders Liz Hirsch and Karen Pratt. I can't share the evening but am impressed with what you have done.
Caryn Byrd
Maryam, we are so proud of the work you are doing and how you are growing as a leader in the Jewish community and mixed identity spaces.
Helene Lauffer
May the world be built of love.
Steven Kolodny
May tenderness be our guide.
Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison
Grateful for all of you and your inspiration!
Peter Grayson & Alex Franklin
Lab/Shul has been life changing for our family. We are so grateful to the entire Lab/Shul team and are thrilled to be celebrating with you at the Gala.
The Suzuki Family
Congratulations Sandi! So proud of you!!!
Lori Silverbush
Love you Lib! Chazak ve'Ematz.
Jonah Kanner
Am Yisrael Chai!
Rebecca Schweiger
So excited to honor you, Sandi!
Benjamin Richman
Much love and shiny bright light for Sandi and Rima DuBowski!! Such beautiful, loving, fun friends and conveners of community. Beloved treasures.
Dina Suggs
We honor the progressive vision, community impact and huge hearts of Sandi and Rima DuBowski. May they be blessed to continue shining their bright DuBowski light!
Jennifer Bleyer & Amit Bar Lev
Much love and respect for Rabbi Amichai and Lab/Shul staff, along with our friends and honorees Sandi and Rima.
Roxanne & Michael Greenstein
We are very excited to honor our friends and clients, Sandi DuBowski and Rima DuBowski and are very excited to see Sandi's documentary, which we have witnessed as a labor of love.
Steven, Peggy and the partners at Warshaw Burstein, LLP
Sandi, Rima... What an inspiration! Mazel Tov and Thank you for inspiring us all.
Janee Graver
Mazel tov to Sandi, Rima, Amichai and Shira for all you do for Lab/Shul, NYC, America, our tiny planet, and the universe. You amplify all that is good and right and holy about our ancient tradition and for this I'm personally grateful. May you feel God's presence holding you, blessing you and warming your very soul today and forevermore.
Much love, Ben Ross
We celebrate the creativity of the honorees and their dedication to making the story of Lab/Shul and Rabbi Amichai's vision now available to people all over the world through the medium of film and through service to the community. Congratulations to all the award recipients and to Lab/Shul and all who lead it as it moves forward to new accomplishments and the meaningful exploration of contemporary Jewish life in a complex world that needs visionaries more than ever.
Renee Cherow-O'Leary & John O'Leary
Sandi and Libby - thank you for your holy and essential work. The world is better for it. I am so grateful to this community for finding hope in dark times.
Aliza Kline
My congratulations to all of the honorees!
Ruth Price
Dear Sandi, I have watched you tirelessly and endlessly taping Amichai over these past many years. It is an honor to honor you and your epic documentary that you will are revealing to the world.Congratulations! Mazal Tov for all you do for the Lab/Shul community with grace, joy and humility.
Ora & Chuck Ramat
Thank you Sandi, Libby, Rima and Maryam for using your gifts to support moving this world to become one in which all people can thrive! Mabrouk! Mazal Tov!
Franny Silverman
Thank you for your love and dedication.
Fran Moss
Congrats to Sandi for his labor of love, and to Rima who is a gift to all who know her, and to Lab/Shul for being just what I need. Congrats to Libby and Maryam, I look forward to meeting you!
Sharon Kirschner
You're awesome, Rabbi Amichai.
Stephanie Goldstone
Yasher Koach.
Joel Chaiken & Sue Ellen Dodell
May the spark of divine love within me honor the spark of divine love within you : )
Emiliano Garcia
Cheers, Maryam!
Hannah Stober
Congratulations, Maryam!
Estee Antelis
Sandi and Rima We wish you much love and congratulations.
Herbert Alwais
To Amichai and Sandi with love and gratitude for who they are in the world.
Craig Harwood
May you all continue your important work for years to come.
Ruby Lerner
So proud of my cousin Rima and her son, Sandi who follow in my Aunt Sarah and Uncle Martin’s path
Judy Ferber
Mazal Tov on all your accomplishments! Special Shout out to Shira Kline!!
Rachel Glube
Mazel tov to Libby and Sandi!
Brina Milikowsky
Blessings
Lab/Shul, may you go from strength to strength. Thank you for being there in this challenging year.
Daniel Kertzner
Mazel Tov!
Jennifer Levine
Thank you, Lab/Shul, for offering Judaism even this far-flung apple can love.
Katalin Balog
Mazels Libby and Sandi on your honors!
Stacey Reiss
Congrats to all the honorees!
Yonatan Israel & Ronit Muszkatblit
Celebrating this profound community and exceptional leadership! So sorry to miss this year's Gala.
Beth Kaufman & Mark Miller
Mazel Tov to all!
Alyssa Katz
Thank you to everyone for all that you do to building a more open and kind world.
Rachelle Vagy
Mazel Tov to Lab/Shul! Sandi, your movie was incredible! We loved it.
Nathaniel Obler, Summer Seacrest, & Lorraine Obler
May you continue to spread your wings as far as the horizon expands.
Helana Darwin & Matthew Zimmer
May this community continue to be radically unique and release in us the Queen that resides in splendor in all of us!
Stephen Silva
Huge thank you to the entire Lab/Shul team and volunteers for bringing us all together in peace and celebration! We are honored to be a new part of this community.
Lauren & Tom Stanton
Sandi, in showing the world the gift to it that is Amichai, you have given yet another gift to us all. The message of letting love be the engine driving necessary change in the world could not be timelier than it is right now. And Amichai, thank you for your openness, honesty and bravery in allowing Sandi -- and thus his audience -- into your life as you have. You've done so much...and you're not even half-way to 120! It's exciting to imagine what's to come! Our admiration, appreciation and love to you both!!!!!
Rhona, Jack & Peter
Mazel tov and gratitude to Sandi and Lab/Shul for bringing forth what is needed with beautiful timing and artistry.
Mijanou Mosher
May the generosity of all shine out to the world with growing Blessings, Wellness, and Equity <3
Luis Winter
Jewish mysticism teaches that at all times there are thirty-six righteous souls - the Lamed Vavnikim - who embody humility and experience the divine presence through their good works. While tradition maintains that the identifies of the Lamed Vavnikim are unbeknownst to the world or each other, here we have an exception: three beautiful souls — Sandi, Libby and Rima who have spread their love, joy and a yearning for peace and mutual understanding to our world through their work and through their deep connections to and support of each other. Mazal Tov on this richly deserved honor!
Matt Nosanchuk
Mazal tov on this moment. You shine, queens.
Sheridan Gayer
Bless Sandi, Amichai, and the Sabbath Queen movie project. I've known about it since the very beginning, and it is truly a miracle.
David Grotell
Very touching movie, thanks for sharing Amichai's thoughts and feelings.
Miriam Tetelbaum
Mazel Tov to Sandi DuBowski for his beautiful film, Sabbath Queen.
Susannah Perlman
Thank you Sandi, for without you, we would never have discovered Lab/Shul, which has had a lasting positive impact on our lives.
Jennifer Ostrega
Blessings and congratulations to your Co-Founders Liz Hirsch and Karen Pratt. I can't share the evening but am impressed with what you have done.
Caryn Byrd
Maryam, we are so proud of the work you are doing and how you are growing as a leader in the Jewish community and mixed identity spaces.
Helene Lauffer
May the world be built of love.
Steven Kolodny
May tenderness be our guide.
Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison
Grateful for all of you and your inspiration!
Peter Grayson & Alex Franklin
Lab/Shul has been life changing for our family. We are so grateful to the entire Lab/Shul team and are thrilled to be celebrating with you at the Gala.
The Suzuki Family
Congratulations Sandi! So proud of you!!!
Lori Silverbush
Love you Lib! Chazak ve'Ematz.
Jonah Kanner
Am Yisrael Chai!
Rebecca Schweiger
So excited to honor you, Sandi!
Benjamin Richman
Much love and shiny bright light for Sandi and Rima DuBowski!! Such beautiful, loving, fun friends and conveners of community. Beloved treasures.
Dina Suggs
We honor the progressive vision, community impact and huge hearts of Sandi and Rima DuBowski. May they be blessed to continue shining their bright DuBowski light!
Jennifer Bleyer & Amit Bar Lev
Much love and respect for Rabbi Amichai and Lab/Shul staff, along with our friends and honorees Sandi and Rima.
Roxanne & Michael Greenstein
We are very excited to honor our friends and clients, Sandi DuBowski and Rima DuBowski and are very excited to see Sandi's documentary, which we have witnessed as a labor of love.
Steven, Peggy and the partners at Warshaw Burstein, LLP
Sandi, Rima... What an inspiration! Mazel Tov and Thank you for inspiring us all.
Janee Graver
Mazel tov to Sandi, Rima, Amichai and Shira for all you do for Lab/Shul, NYC, America, our tiny planet, and the universe. You amplify all that is good and right and holy about our ancient tradition and for this I'm personally grateful. May you feel God's presence holding you, blessing you and warming your very soul today and forevermore.
Much love, Ben Ross
We celebrate the creativity of the honorees and their dedication to making the story of Lab/Shul and Rabbi Amichai's vision now available to people all over the world through the medium of film and through service to the community. Congratulations to all the award recipients and to Lab/Shul and all who lead it as it moves forward to new accomplishments and the meaningful exploration of contemporary Jewish life in a complex world that needs visionaries more than ever.
Renee Cherow-O'Leary & John O'Leary
Sandi and Libby - thank you for your holy and essential work. The world is better for it. I am so grateful to this community for finding hope in dark times.
Aliza Kline
My congratulations to all of the honorees!
Ruth Price
Dear Sandi, I have watched you tirelessly and endlessly taping Amichai over these past many years. It is an honor to honor you and your epic documentary that you will are revealing to the world.Congratulations! Mazal Tov for all you do for the Lab/Shul community with grace, joy and humility.
Ora & Chuck Ramat
Thank you Sandi, Libby, Rima and Maryam for using your gifts to support moving this world to become one in which all people can thrive! Mabrouk! Mazal Tov!
Franny Silverman
Thank you for your love and dedication.
Fran Moss
Congrats to Sandi for his labor of love, and to Rima who is a gift to all who know her, and to Lab/Shul for being just what I need. Congrats to Libby and Maryam, I look forward to meeting you!
Sharon Kirschner
You're awesome, Rabbi Amichai.
Stephanie Goldstone
Yasher Koach.
Joel Chaiken & Sue Ellen Dodell
May the spark of divine love within me honor the spark of divine love within you : )
Emiliano Garcia
Cheers, Maryam!
Hannah Stober
Congratulations, Maryam!
Estee Antelis
Sandi and Rima We wish you much love and congratulations.
Herbert Alwais
To Amichai and Sandi with love and gratitude for who they are in the world.
Craig Harwood
May you all continue your important work for years to come.
Ruby Lerner
So proud of my cousin Rima and her son, Sandi who follow in my Aunt Sarah and Uncle Martin’s path
Judy Ferber
Mazal Tov on all your accomplishments! Special Shout out to Shira Kline!!
Rachel Glube
Mazel tov to Libby and Sandi!
Brina Milikowsky
It’s not too late to join us for our annual Spring Gala THIS WEDNESDAY, June 18!
✨Tickets at every price point – we’ll be at standing room only very soon!✨
PLUS - Join us for a BEdazzling After Party, including a “Bowling Bash” with a Dance Party hosted by DJ Party Girl!
📲 REGISTER: labshul.org/gala-2025/ or via the CALENDAR link in our bio
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #2025gala #labshulgala #springgala #be
There are only a few more seats left for our Gala next Wednesday! We hope you will join us for a night of celebration, transformation, and communal connection.
This year we are shining a spotlight on @aiki_art29 and @thebearmaiden with the presentation of the Jodi Cohen & L Michael Graver Legacy Award. We are thrilled to celebrate this mother-daughter duo, recognizing their multigenerational legacy of renewing Jewish life for their family and community. Join us via the CALENDAR LINK IN BIO or visit: www.labshul.org/gala-2025.
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #2025gala #labshulgala #springgala #be
Next week marks our annual SPRING GALA!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration — or come by later for our bowl-tastic After Party! 🎳🎉
Either way, it’s sure to be a night to remember:
🎳 9:30 pm+
🎳 Light Nosh
🎳 OPEN BAR till 10:30pm
🎳 Bowling!!
🎳 Dance Party featuring DJ Party Girl
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #2025gala #labshulgala #springgala #be
