JL;DR

Sabbath Queen, a documentary directed by Sandi DuBowski, chronicles the life of Amichai Lau-Lavie, a unique figure born into a storied Orthodox Jewish lineage. Lau-Lavie's journey engages with themes of identity, community, and spirituality as he navigates his personal transformation from a traditional background to becoming a Conservative rabbi and drag queen, challenging conventional norms. The film spans two decades, capturing Lau-Lavie's creation of innovative Jewish initiatives like Storahtelling and Lab/Shul in New York. Through this portrayal, the documentary explores broader questions about Jewish continuity and adaptability in the modern world, making it a rich conversation between tradition and modern identity. The discussion includes journalist Aimee Ginsburg Bikel, shedding light on what Lau-Lavie calls the 'messy middle' of reconciling different facets of one's identity while contributing to Jewish life today.