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 [...]
In a time aching with grief and division, Rabbi @amichailaulavie calls us back to the sacred center of our shared humanity.
This Pride 2025 is a call to turn shame and blame into compassion and purpose—not just for now, but for our collective journey ahead.
The Sabbath Queen reminds us to Pause for Peace … Shabbat Shalom 🌈 🙏
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity
#BE #Pride2025 #ShabbatShalom #PauseForPeace #HealingIsHoly #LabShul
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
🔔NEW PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Israel/Palestine and the LGBTQ Community Webinar
June 18th, 2025, 2:00pm EST
📲 register through CALENDAR LINK in our bio or visit labshul.org/calendar.
Navigating issues related to Israel/Palestine in the queer community – and in some of the broader progressive spaces – can be challenging. There is a history of using Israel’s relatively LGBTQ friendly environment to try to distract from the Occupation, a practice which has earned the label “Pinkwashing.” At the same time, there are the sometimes unfair asks that are made of Jews and/or Israelis.
To help us make sense of how to navigate these intersecting identities and issues, NJN will be hosting a webinar with two leading Jewish and progressive leaders known for their thoughtfulness and nuance.
@idit1836 (she/her) is the President & CEO of Keshet, the national organization for LGBTQ equality in Jewish life, a role she has held since 2001. Under her leadership, Keshet has mobilized tens of thousands of Jewish leaders to make LGBTQ+ equality a communal value and priority for action.
Our own- Rabbi @amichailaulavie - social activist, storyteller, writer, and community leader is the Co-Founding Spiritual Leader of the thriving Lab/Shul community in New York and the creator of the ritual theater company Storahtelling, Inc.
This webinar will be moderated by Noam Shelef (he/him), NJN’s Vice President for Communications. Noam is not only a veteran advocate of peace and human rights in Israel/Palestine, he also spent part of his career leading efforts to uphold LGBTQ rights in workplaces.
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #lgbtq #pride #israel #palestine
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.
Not able to join us in person? You can still be part of this special night…
We invite you to share a blessing or words of well wishes for Lab/Shul or any of our honorees and award recipients along with a contribution in any amount. Your message will be shared on our website and on screens throughout the evening.
📲Share a blessing via the link in our bio or visit: labshul.shulcloud.com/form/gala-2025-blessing.html
📲LEARN MORE About our honorees and REGISTER — www.labshul.org/gala-2025/
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #gala
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 (Karen) Kelley and Jesi Kelley 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
🔔 NEW PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Lab/Shul Jewish Voters Unite Gathering 🗳️
Monday, June 9th, 2025
6:00-8:00 pm EST
UWS*
Join us on Monday, June 9th from 6–8pm on the Upper West Side for a special Lab/Shul-only gathering.
We’ll dive into ranked choice voting, take part in phone banking, and talk next steps as we gear up for the June 24th mayoral election. Come build community and take action—because local politics matter.
*Exact location to be provided upon registration.
📲 Register thru CALENDAR LINK in our bio or visit: https://www.labshul.org/event/jewish-voters-unite-gathering/
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity @jewishvotersunite @melissadawnshaw #nyc #nycvote #mayoral #nycmayor #vote
✨ SPRING GALA + AFTER PARTY = 6/18/25
👉This year’s GALA HONOREES are four remarkable individuals whose hearts and hands have helped shape the Lab/Shul journey:
👉Marnie Berk & Jon Silvan — Visionary leaders and generous community builders who have walked beside us since our days in Tribeca, guiding us with wisdom, love and justice.
👉Karen Hershey & Larry Green — Creative strategists with giant hearts whose warm embrace lit a path for 20 years of community and connection, both behind the scenes and center stage.
✨Let’s honor those who’ve helped us to become who we are. Join us to step into what’s next.✨
📲LEARN MORE About our honorees and REGISTER — www.labshul.org/gala-2025/
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #gala
🔔 PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
👑 Post-Sabbath Queen Oneg
Friday June 6, 2025
Immediately following Sabbath Queen Ritual
ONLINE
👑 On Friday, June 6, please join us to gather together in community at the ONLINE ONEG immediately following the Sabbath Queen service.
Starting immediately following the ritual and ending by 10pm EST
👑 Hosted over the same Zoom link as for the Sabbath Queen ritual so please remain online after the service ends and make sure that you register for Sabbath Queen.
📲Register through the CALENDAR LINK in our bio to visit: https://www.labshul.org/event/post-sabbath-queen-online-oneg/
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #oneg #shabbatshalom #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity
