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 [...]
🔔 PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
FAMILYLAB: Lotsa Matza!
Sunday, April 6th, 2025
4pm-6pm EST
Brooklyn
✨ Co-facilitated by @shirakline and @arilmonts ✨
Whether you’re a seasoned seder story-teller, or a first-time Passover player everyone is invited to roll up your sleeves and roll out some homemade crunchy matza. Your Passover celebration will never be the same again!
FamilyLab is centered around the family table: delicious dinner, sing along, stories, and animated interactive learning to celebrate holidays and delve into life-long Jewish values.
With Lab/Shul’s unique God-optional approach to tradition, text, and story, FamilyLab is open to those who identify as Jewish, Jew-ish, and everything in between. + Fees include dinner and programming for up to 5 people.
📲 This program will sell out. Register early!
Register through the CALENDAR LINK in bio or visit: https://www.labshul.org/event/familylab-lotsa-matza-2/
#labshul #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven
#experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #passover2025 #jewishcommunity #jewishholidays
#jewishpeople #jewishlife #matzah #passover #pesach #seder #sayder
#jewishculture #judaism #reformjudaism
#chagsameach
🔔 PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
SAVE SAYDER 5785/2025
How to Lead+Prep the Perfect Passover Seder in 2025
DIY Workshop led by Lab/Shul’s Leaders
Wednesday, March 26 + Wednesday, April 2
6:30-8:00 PM ET
Online*
WHAT IS SAYDER?? A guide from Lab/Shul with four new questions to help us read less and say more!
If you are Seder Stressed at this time of political and personal polarization, join Rabbi @amichailaulavie, @shirakline + guest teachers and our ritual team leaders for a Seder-Leading workshop, guiding you through our 2025 update of SAYDER- our everybody-friendly Seder guide, fit for all ages.
Join us for the live workshop or watch it later, to learn how to use the SAYDER kit and liven up your Seder.
Register via the CALENDAR LINK in our bio or visit www.labshul.org/event/save-seder-5785-2025/2025-03-26/
#labshul #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven
#experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #passover2025 #jewishcommunity #jewishholidays
#jewishpeople #jewishlife #matzah #passover #pesach #seder #sayder
#jewishculture #judaism #reformjudaism
#chagsameach
🔔 PROGRAM ALERT 🔔
Courageous Conversations on Israel/Palestine
Saturday, March 22, 2025
6:00-9:00pm ET
Exact NYC location provided upon registration
Courageous Conversations fosters meaningful dialogue amongst community members, led by professional facilitators from within the Lab/Shul community and the Lab/Shul ritual team. Utilizing both large talking circle and small group formats, this program nurtures understanding, empathy, and essential communication skills while embracing the diverse perspectives, beliefs, and experiences that shape our collective fabric. Each session offers a supportive space for thoughtful discussion, equipping participants with tools to navigate conversations across disagreement with openness and respect.
This program will begin with a meaningful #Havdalah ritual – led by @bshatteredbfree – to set the stage for learning and conversation.
Light pescatarian nosh and beverages will be served.
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #jewishcommunity #israel #palestine #courageous #conversations #community
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at tonight’s ritual performance and after party!
👑 Doors Open: 9:00pm
👑 Lab/Shul Performance: 9:30pm
👑 After Party: 10:30pm-LATE
🔔 PLEASE NOTE 🔔
if you are joining us specifically for Lab/Shul’s ritual performance of SONIC, please arrive early to ensure entry to the performance ⏰ ⏰ ⏰
The performance space will be standing room only and is only accessible by stairs. 🎭
Happy Purim!
“#labshul #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven
#experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #purim2025 #jewishcommunity #jewishholidays
#jewishpeople #jewishlife #jewishtradition #makesomenoise #purim #esther #haman #hamantashen
#jewishculture #judaism #reformjudaism
#chagsameach “
Every year on #Purim, Jews around the world stage shpiels, or plays, that not only feature people in costumes, but cross-dressing as well. These Purim events have allowed Jews to participate in drag throughout history, and have opened the door for other traditions like cross-casting in theater.
In this episode, @jewish_studies’ “Adventures in Jewish Studies” hear from scholars @golanmoskowitz and @naomi.seidman.9, and our own Sabbath Queen herself (Hadassah Gross aka Rabbi @amichailaulavie) and host Erin Phillips about Jewish historical examples of drag, Jewish contributions to the art and culture of drag, and how Jews have used drag to explore trauma, identity, and belonging.
👂 Listen now through the LINK in our bio or visit: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1U8Gx3EYNJ4JfRglvwkv7F?si=hYFtP8j8TFC3_5lGtAGFzA
📲 More about #HadassahGross ➡️ Amichai.me/hadassah-gross/
#Labshul #Joinus #gather #shabbat #sabbath #ritual #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven #experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #JewishLife #jewishholidays #jewishevents #jewishtradition #drag #dragqueen #dragqueens #dragqueensofinstagram #hadassah #jewishcommunity
Our very own Rabbi @amichailaulavie asks a poignant question… This Purim’s Purpose? Expand Empathy + Cultivate Courage!
Read his full message including ideas to walk in #QueenEsthers shoes this week…
BLOG LINK in our bio or visit
https://www.labshul.org/category/blog/
“#labshul #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven
#experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #purim2025 #jewishcommunity #jewishholidays
#jewishpeople #jewishlife #jewishtradition #makesomenoise #purim #esther #haman #hamantashen
#jewishculture #judaism #reformjudaism
#chagsameach “
Wait till you see what we’ve got planned for you!!
🎭 👸 PURIM IS THIS THURSDAY!! 🎭 👸
SONIC: A ritual performance of sacred Noise
March 13th, 2025
9 – 10:30pm: Ritual Performance
@ Silencio NYC
10:30pm-3am: PolyEsther After Party
@ The Stranger
📲 Register at our Purim Portal (link in bio or visit: https://www.labshul.org/purim-5785/)
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. Set within the enigmatic Silencio NYC—bathed in moody, Lynchian allure—this underground sanctuary of sound and spectacle becomes the perfect portal into Purim’s darker depths. Here, where illusion and revelation blur, we step into the shadows of the story—the masked identities, whispered plots, and the precarious dance between power and fate—summoning sacred Noise to confront the chaos and emerge transformed.
Featured Artists: @bshatteredbfree @shirakline @naomiless1 @sarahsokolic @stuartbmeyers
POLY-ESTHER is a groundbreaking poly-partnership between all the major queer Jewish party organizations in NYC. For the first time ever, @myhebro @tariminyc @flamingggnyc @labshul & @shalomdykes are coming together to throw the largest, queerest, and most fabulous PURIM PARTY that ever was. So, start working on your COSTUMES now, because everyone is invited and the lewks are going to be fierce.
The Party is happening at @thestrangernyc, a 3-floor immersive funhouse club experience in the heart of Manhattan, featuring wacky Purim performances in every corner, New York’s craziest dance floor, an epic costume contest, karaoke & Megillah rooms, and an entire queer circus troupe. Queen Vashti could NEVER.
#labshul #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven
#experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #purim2025 #jewishcommunity #jewishholidays
#jewishpeople #jewishlife #jewishtradition #makesomenoise #purim #esther #haman #hamantashen
#jewishculture #judaism #reformjudaism
#chagsameach “
Did you miss Sabbath Queen on Friday?
📲 Click the YOUTUBE LINK in bio or visit https://youtu.be/j5KKeTRX6e0?si=j_jyq_iKRHkm87ee to see Rabbi @amichailaulavie Amichai’s full pre-Purim sermon:
In response to Elon Musk’s recent claim that “the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy,” I’d argue that the spirit and purpose of Purim—and so many of our holidays and traditions—is precisely the opposite: to expand our empathy. Our gatherings are designed to connect us more deeply with each other and our shared values, strengthening the bonds that bind us together. Empathy is not our weakest social link. And it certainly isn’t measured in spreadsheets. It’s the strong, beating heart of civilization and at the core of our sacred Jewish journey.
#labshul #godoptional #everybodyfriendly #artistdriven
#experimentaljudaism #queerjudaism #purim2025 #jewishcommunity #jewishholidays
#jewishpeople #jewishlife #jewishtradition #makesomenoise #purim #esther #haman #hamantashen
#jewishculture #judaism #reformjudaism
#chagsameach
