Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie returns to discuss Jewish chosenness, love, and his film Sabbath Queen

About this Episode

Rabbi Deborah Waxman continues her conversation with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, founder of Lab/Shul and subject of the documentary The Sabbath Queen. They explore how to hold complexity in polarized times, discussing "both/and" thinking around Israeli and Palestinian identity, the theology of love and connection (symbolized by the Hebrew letter vav), and building strong Jewish peoplehood without chauvinism or supremacy. Their conversation weaves together personal narrative, liturgical innovation, and theological reflection, modeling nuanced dialogue about coexistence, justice, and evolving Jewish tradition to honor the dignity of all people while navigating disagreement with courage and compassion.

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

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Episode Links

• The Sabbath Queen (Film Site) — Find a screening near you, background information, and related materials.
• Lab/Shul — Lab/Shul is the experimental, artist-driven, God-optional Jewish community co-founded by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.
• Evolve: Rabbi Toba Spitzer on Chosenness — Rabbi Toba Spitzer argues that “chosenness” implies unjust superiority and needs to be replaced with a sense of shared moral responsibility.
• The World Zionist Congress and Reconstructing Judaism’s Engagement with Israel — Learn about Reconstructing Judaism's efforts to promote a democratic, pluralistic, human-rights-centered vision for Israel and support for a two-state solution.
• Octavia Butler Resources (for contextual reference) — Learn more about Octavia Butler’s writing and themes.
• B'Yachad, Reconstructing Judaism's movement-wide convention — Details about Reconstructing Judaism's 2026 convention, including programming related to peoplehood without chauvinism and community-centered resilience. Registration is open now!