Israeli-born Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie seeks love, peace, and joy, and, in doing so, breaks with the cultural and religious strictures of Orthodox Judaism as he champions LGBTQ+ rights in a conservative society in Sandi Simcha DuBowski’s documentary, “Sabbath Queen.”
The film starts at one of the more controversial moments of Lau-Lavie’s life, while officiating over an Interfaith wedding between two men who are professed Buddhists in New York City in 2017, shortly after receiving the title of rabbi in Manhattan’s Jewish Theological Seminary, the epicenter of Conservative Judaism.
“I broke the law,” Lau-Lavie says as he looks up from his cell phone, referring to the centuries-old traditions of his people. Lau-Lavie, who can trace his rabbinical lineage back to the 11th century, fights progress from the inside.
Lau-Lavie challenges the orthodoxy merely by existing. The rabbi is the founder of Lab/Shul – an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation in New York.
An out gay Rabbi, Lau-Lavie occasionally dresses in drag and performs LGBTQ+ and Interfaith ceremonies, which has caused a seismic rift in his family. His brother, Rabbi Benny Lau, is gentle in his disapproval of his brother, but it’s clear that the siblings are on opposite sides of a theological battle.
On Reboot, a blog about Jewish life, DuBowski said, “I am very proud of Amichai’s brother, Rabbi Benny Lau, a prominent Orthodox rabbi who agreed to be part of the film and who gave it a narrative spine and its opposition. There is political and ideological disagreement between the brothers, but they’re in conversation, and there’s so much love and respect, even with their differences. In this toxic, polarized time, we hope that will be inspiring for many people. Many of us now are dealing with serious disagreements in our families, in our friendships and communities, and Rabbi Amichai and Rabbi Benny are role models about how to stay in complicated and charged conversation.”
DuBowski (2001’s “Trembling Before G-d”) compiles twenty-one years of material from the Rabbi’s life and includes footage of his father and grandfather, historically prominent men of faith.
Editors Francisco Bello, Kyle Crichton, Philip Shane, and Jeremy Stulberg sifting over more than two decades of material from Rabbi Lau-Lavie’s life, guided by DuBowski.
The cinematography is gorgeous. DuBowski pauses the camera on a Buddhist statue at the wedding, lingering on the delicate contours lovingly, as Lau-Lavie narrates. His voice quavers as he says, “The New York Times is here,” knowing the gay Interfaith wedding is causing a stir and the presence of the Buddhist statue in a conservative Jewish space is fueling the flames of disapproval.
DuBowski could have split his film into two documentaries. One that focuses on Lau-Lavie’s life officiating unorthodox weddings in an orthodox space, and another could be about the rabbi’s life as a drag queen. In the 105-minute documentary, his drag life receives less attention than expected. However, Lau-Lavie comes across as a loving human being, even amidst his detractors.
Toward the end of the film, he stands over the posters of victims of the October 7, 2023, attack. He simultaneously prays for the safe return of the hostages and cries out against the brutality of Israel’s assault on Palestine.
“Sabbath Queen” is a beautifully told story about a man who celebrates his faith, his life, and his God with all of his love.
“Sabbath Queen” makes its Pittsburgh premiere on Tuesday, April 29, at the Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny Boulevard, Oakmont, PA 15139 as part of Film Pittsburgh’s JFilm Festival. There will be a Q&A with director Sandy DuBowski and special guest Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife after the screening. For tickets and more information available below.
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