Screening and discussion |

Outdoor Screening – Seating will be available on the grass as well as in chairs. Warm clothing is recommended.

Admission is free; prior registration is required>

Director: Sandi DuBowski

USA, 2025 | 105 minutes | Hebrew, English, and Yiddish | Hebrew subtitles

SABBATH QUEEN, a feature documentary filmed over 21 years, follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 39 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. SABBATH QUEEN joins Amichai on a lifelong quest to creatively and radically reinvent religion and ritual, challenge patriarchy and supremacy, champion interfaith love, and stand up for peace, ceasefire, and an end to the Occupation in Israel/Palestine. The film interrogates what Jewish survival means in a difficult rapidly changing 21st century.

Following the screening there will be a discussion with the participation of:

• Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, the film’s protagonist
• Dr. Rachel Werczberger, The Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College
• Moderator: Dr. Ido Harari, Van Leer Jerusalem Institute

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If you require accessible entry or a parking permit, please contact us in advance at vanleer@vanleer.org.il.