[Past event] Screening of ‘Sabbath Queen’ in Albany slated for Aug. 27 at Scene One Spectrum Theatre
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and director Sandi DuBowski will hold a Q&A after the Aug. 27 Albany screening of the documentary “Sabbath Queen.”
The Jewish World
2
mins read time
Originally published at
The Jewish World

Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie leads “Unscrolled” for Lab/Shul’s Simchah Torah program as depicted in the documentary.
Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.
The documentary, “Sabbath Queen,” featuring an in-person question and answer session with its subject, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, and its director and producer, Sandi DuBowski, has been scheduled for the Scene One Spectrum Theatre, 290 Delaware Ave., Albany on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
Director Sandi DuBowski followed Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including chief rabbis of Israel. He depicts in the documentary how Lau-Lavie was torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and relates how he became a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the co-founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. DuBowski previously was director/producer of “Trembling Before God,” which is about LGBTQ Orthodox Jews.
“The rabbi is 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,” Audrey Seidman, one of the organizers, and a congregant at Berith Sholom in Troy, said. She added, “I met Rabbi Amichai in 2001 at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish Retreat Center in Accord, NY, now part of Isabella Freedman, as we were creating the “Festival of Miriam.” He was founder of “Storahtelling” a bibliodrama group. That is when I first saw Amichai as the “Sabbath Queen” Rebetzzin Hadassah Gross! He came to the U.S. from Israel in 1997 after being “outed” in Israel. I’ve been eager to bring this film to Albany for two years! It tells an amazing story of one man’s evolution as he negotiates major changes in his own life...and in our Jewish community.”
The showing is sponsored by the iEAR Presents series, supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts by approval of the New York State Legislature and the governor, in collaboration with Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy.
Berith Sholom agreed to co-sponsor and serve as the nonprofit accepting ticket fees online. Branda Miller, another Berith Sholom organizer, has suggested that funds above the costs of the presentation support a new Tikkun Olam Action Fund that will support the variety of efforts that Berith is engaged in, from Christmas meals, to immigrant action to its discussion group on Israel/Palestine, according to Seidman.
Film trailer and information may be obtained at https://www.sabbathqueen.com/.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.givebutter.com/sabbath-queen-aug-27.
Originally published at
The Jewish World
ADVERTISEMENT
[Past event] Screening of ‘Sabbath Queen’ in Albany slated for Aug. 27 at Scene One Spectrum Theatre
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and director Sandi DuBowski will hold a Q&A after the Aug. 27 Albany screening of the documentary “Sabbath Queen.”
The Jewish World
2
mins read time
Originally published at
The Jewish World

Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie leads “Unscrolled” for Lab/Shul’s Simchah Torah program as depicted in the documentary.
Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.
The documentary, “Sabbath Queen,” featuring an in-person question and answer session with its subject, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, and its director and producer, Sandi DuBowski, has been scheduled for the Scene One Spectrum Theatre, 290 Delaware Ave., Albany on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
Director Sandi DuBowski followed Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including chief rabbis of Israel. He depicts in the documentary how Lau-Lavie was torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and relates how he became a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the co-founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. DuBowski previously was director/producer of “Trembling Before God,” which is about LGBTQ Orthodox Jews.
“The rabbi is 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,” Audrey Seidman, one of the organizers, and a congregant at Berith Sholom in Troy, said. She added, “I met Rabbi Amichai in 2001 at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish Retreat Center in Accord, NY, now part of Isabella Freedman, as we were creating the “Festival of Miriam.” He was founder of “Storahtelling” a bibliodrama group. That is when I first saw Amichai as the “Sabbath Queen” Rebetzzin Hadassah Gross! He came to the U.S. from Israel in 1997 after being “outed” in Israel. I’ve been eager to bring this film to Albany for two years! It tells an amazing story of one man’s evolution as he negotiates major changes in his own life...and in our Jewish community.”
The showing is sponsored by the iEAR Presents series, supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts by approval of the New York State Legislature and the governor, in collaboration with Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy.
Berith Sholom agreed to co-sponsor and serve as the nonprofit accepting ticket fees online. Branda Miller, another Berith Sholom organizer, has suggested that funds above the costs of the presentation support a new Tikkun Olam Action Fund that will support the variety of efforts that Berith is engaged in, from Christmas meals, to immigrant action to its discussion group on Israel/Palestine, according to Seidman.
Film trailer and information may be obtained at https://www.sabbathqueen.com/.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.givebutter.com/sabbath-queen-aug-27.
Originally published at
The Jewish World
ADVERTISEMENT
[Past event] Screening of ‘Sabbath Queen’ in Albany slated for Aug. 27 at Scene One Spectrum Theatre
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and director Sandi DuBowski will hold a Q&A after the Aug. 27 Albany screening of the documentary “Sabbath Queen.”
The Jewish World
2
mins read time
Originally published at
The Jewish World

Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie leads “Unscrolled” for Lab/Shul’s Simchah Torah program as depicted in the documentary.
Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.
The documentary, “Sabbath Queen,” featuring an in-person question and answer session with its subject, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, and its director and producer, Sandi DuBowski, has been scheduled for the Scene One Spectrum Theatre, 290 Delaware Ave., Albany on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
Director Sandi DuBowski followed Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including chief rabbis of Israel. He depicts in the documentary how Lau-Lavie was torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and relates how he became a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the co-founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. DuBowski previously was director/producer of “Trembling Before God,” which is about LGBTQ Orthodox Jews.
“The rabbi is 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,” Audrey Seidman, one of the organizers, and a congregant at Berith Sholom in Troy, said. She added, “I met Rabbi Amichai in 2001 at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish Retreat Center in Accord, NY, now part of Isabella Freedman, as we were creating the “Festival of Miriam.” He was founder of “Storahtelling” a bibliodrama group. That is when I first saw Amichai as the “Sabbath Queen” Rebetzzin Hadassah Gross! He came to the U.S. from Israel in 1997 after being “outed” in Israel. I’ve been eager to bring this film to Albany for two years! It tells an amazing story of one man’s evolution as he negotiates major changes in his own life...and in our Jewish community.”
The showing is sponsored by the iEAR Presents series, supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts by approval of the New York State Legislature and the governor, in collaboration with Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy.
Berith Sholom agreed to co-sponsor and serve as the nonprofit accepting ticket fees online. Branda Miller, another Berith Sholom organizer, has suggested that funds above the costs of the presentation support a new Tikkun Olam Action Fund that will support the variety of efforts that Berith is engaged in, from Christmas meals, to immigrant action to its discussion group on Israel/Palestine, according to Seidman.
Film trailer and information may be obtained at https://www.sabbathqueen.com/.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.givebutter.com/sabbath-queen-aug-27.
Originally published at
The Jewish World
ADVERTISEMENT
[Past event] Screening of ‘Sabbath Queen’ in Albany slated for Aug. 27 at Scene One Spectrum Theatre
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and director Sandi DuBowski will hold a Q&A after the Aug. 27 Albany screening of the documentary “Sabbath Queen.”
The Jewish World
2
mins read time
Originally published at
The Jewish World

Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie leads “Unscrolled” for Lab/Shul’s Simchah Torah program as depicted in the documentary.
Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.
The documentary, “Sabbath Queen,” featuring an in-person question and answer session with its subject, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, and its director and producer, Sandi DuBowski, has been scheduled for the Scene One Spectrum Theatre, 290 Delaware Ave., Albany on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.
Director Sandi DuBowski followed Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including chief rabbis of Israel. He depicts in the documentary how Lau-Lavie was torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and relates how he became a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the co-founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. DuBowski previously was director/producer of “Trembling Before God,” which is about LGBTQ Orthodox Jews.
“The rabbi is 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,” Audrey Seidman, one of the organizers, and a congregant at Berith Sholom in Troy, said. She added, “I met Rabbi Amichai in 2001 at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish Retreat Center in Accord, NY, now part of Isabella Freedman, as we were creating the “Festival of Miriam.” He was founder of “Storahtelling” a bibliodrama group. That is when I first saw Amichai as the “Sabbath Queen” Rebetzzin Hadassah Gross! He came to the U.S. from Israel in 1997 after being “outed” in Israel. I’ve been eager to bring this film to Albany for two years! It tells an amazing story of one man’s evolution as he negotiates major changes in his own life...and in our Jewish community.”
The showing is sponsored by the iEAR Presents series, supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts by approval of the New York State Legislature and the governor, in collaboration with Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy.
Berith Sholom agreed to co-sponsor and serve as the nonprofit accepting ticket fees online. Branda Miller, another Berith Sholom organizer, has suggested that funds above the costs of the presentation support a new Tikkun Olam Action Fund that will support the variety of efforts that Berith is engaged in, from Christmas meals, to immigrant action to its discussion group on Israel/Palestine, according to Seidman.
Film trailer and information may be obtained at https://www.sabbathqueen.com/.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.givebutter.com/sabbath-queen-aug-27.
Originally published at
The Jewish World
ADVERTISEMENT
Related News

Local
Community News
Lustgarten Foundation walk for pancreatic cancer research slated for Sept. 27
Walkers gather in Delmar Sept. 27 for the Albany Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which funds research into a disease more common among Jews.
The Jewish World
September 24, 2026

Local
Events
Mimica Tzezana Hyman to speak of Jewish survival on a Greek island during World War II
Mimica Tzezana Hyman speaks Sept. 29 at B’nai Sholom in Albany on the survival of Zakynthos’s Jewish community during World War II.
The Jewish World
September 23, 2026

Local
Arts & Entertainment
Capital Region Curated: September 21-27
Alan Koslow’s weekly guide to Capital Region campus events, with the Albany Book Festival at UAlbany, Jay Carlon’s WAKE at EMPAC, Francine Berman on technology that puts people first, and the new play Franny in Troy.
Alan Koslow
September 19, 2026

Local
Community News
Lustgarten Foundation walk for pancreatic cancer research slated for Sept. 27
Walkers gather in Delmar Sept. 27 for the Albany Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which funds research into a disease more common among Jews.
The Jewish World
September 24, 2026

Local
Events
Mimica Tzezana Hyman to speak of Jewish survival on a Greek island during World War II
Mimica Tzezana Hyman speaks Sept. 29 at B’nai Sholom in Albany on the survival of Zakynthos’s Jewish community during World War II.
The Jewish World
September 23, 2026

Local
Arts & Entertainment
Capital Region Curated: September 21-27
Alan Koslow’s weekly guide to Capital Region campus events, with the Albany Book Festival at UAlbany, Jay Carlon’s WAKE at EMPAC, Francine Berman on technology that puts people first, and the new play Franny in Troy.
Alan Koslow
September 19, 2026

Local
Community News
[Past event] Documentary about Hadassah founder Szold to be screened at Beth Shalom on Sept. 23
Saratoga Jewish Community Arts opens its season Sept. 23 with a documentary on Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold, screening at Beth Shalom.
The Jewish World
September 17, 2026
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
