‘Sabbath Queen’ Creators Preach to the Choir About a Rabbi Who Performs Drag: ‘Choirs These Days Need a Lot of Preaching’

As a passionate film enthusiast and someone who values the power of storytelling to challenge and inspire, I find “Sabbath Queen” to be an exceptional documentary that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. Having grown up in a traditional Jewish household myself, I can relate to the struggle of balancing one’s identity with the expectations of one’s faith and community.

In “Sabbath Queen,” filmmaker Sandi DuBowski narrates the tale of Amichai Lau-Lavie, an Israel-born rabbi who is also a drag queen and a father of two in the LGBTQ+ community. Over a span of 21 years, this documentary captures Lau-Lavie’s life as he grapples with reconciling his identity as a gay man and a drag queen with the traditional beliefs and practices of Orthodox Judaism he was brought up with.

In the document, Lau-Lavie openly advocates for same-sex and interfaith marriages, along with other liberal ideas that some view as controversial. Critics of his views include members of his own family, whose rabbinical lineage dates back to the 11th century.

2017 marks the start of a film, where I, as an officiant, conducted a unique Jewish wedding in New York City between two men who openly practice Buddhism. This unconventional ceremony stirred controversy, prompting me to acknowledge that I had violated Jewish Theological Seminary’s teachings, which I had vowed to uphold. However, my enrollment at JTS was more than just a commitment; it was a strategic move to act as a catalyst within the system. Not everything we’ve been taught should be blindly carried forward – we must confront the challenges of the 21st century head-on. I aspire to be a change agent, one who navigates from the heart of the community, engaging with increasingly polarized voices in Judaism.

At the helm of Lab/Shul, a welcoming, secular community that embraces all, Lau-Lavie strives to innovatively redefine faith and tradition. Through her work, she pushes boundaries, questions power structures, advocates for interfaith harmony, champions peace efforts, and calls for an end to the conflict in Israel/Palestine.

I had the pleasure of chatting with EbMaster before the “Sabbath Queen” closed the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival on July 30.

Amichai, why did you want this doc to be made?

From the beginning, I recognized that I was part of a larger narrative, one involving a fresh perspective on the traditions we’ve been given. I approached this task with a feminist, ethical, and compassionate mindset. Sandi’s role in documenting my process and amplifying it seemed like a perfect collaboration for us, contributing to the evolution and expansion of our moral compass within this reimagined tradition.

As a movie critic, I’d respond: “When it comes to ‘Sandi,’ the documentary that tackles numerous contentious topics head-on, my approach is to invite viewers from all perspectives to join the conversation. By presenting well-researched facts and thoughtful interviews, I believe this film has the power to bridge divides and spark meaningful dialogue between opposing sides.”

DuBowski described waiting 13 years for Rabbi Benny Lau, Amichai’s brother and a renowned Orthodox rabbi in Israel, to grant an interview. The interview proved pivotal for the film. The brothers, despite having different political and ideological views, share a deep bond of love and respect towards each other. Their relationship represents, according to DuBowski, an inspiring way of disagreeing that can be appreciated by those outside their circle.>

Lau-Lavie: I think choirs these days need a lot of preaching. We really need support. I’m in Jerusalem at the moment. It’s painful to be a peace-loving, progressive, empathic person in the middle of trauma. So, I might not get to everybody. They might not be able to hear it, but the ones who need to hear it need to hear it. I was at an event last week with 8,000 Israelis who gathered in an arena to absolutely imagine peace between Palestinians and Israelis. It feels like one crack and we were like, “Haha, we are preaching to the choir,” but the choir needs it. That’s true in the States, too. It’s only going to get worse as the presidential election comes nearer. But beyond that, the more conservatives, the more religious traditional, the more suspicious of liberal politics, they might not even show up to this film because there is “Queen” in the title or the word sabbath is too Jewish. So, I don’t know. Honestly, I think that is going to be very tricky marketing and strategic storytelling, which is the challenge for Sandi’s team.

1. “In the movie, your brother claims that you’re treating Judaism like a game. What are your thoughts on this statement?”

In the interview, my brother’s genuine apprehension towards my actions and his own was revealed. While some view me as unconventional in Israel and modern Orthodox Zionist circles, my brother is perceived as a feminist and someone who communicates with Muslim leaders. Thus, we both hold unorthodox views, but from different perspectives. He acknowledges the risks involved, yet emphasizes that religion itself is a risky endeavor if one intends to progress and adapt to modern times instead of preserving traditions. Our disagreement lies in the timing – should we act now or wait? Should we let public opinion evolve before accepting gay rabbis into orthodoxy or make it happen immediately? My brother recognizes the importance of being strategic about endorsements in the public sphere, making him a valuable ally in our shared journey towards progression.

Sandi, are you hoping to screen the film in Israel?

Absolutely. In my opinion, what’s crucial is focusing on Jerusalem, not just Israel, but particularly in the region where this tale unfolds and where the difficulties are most profound. We shall witness many narratives that need to be countered, as Amichai can confirm.

“Sabbath Queen,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, is seeking distribution.

2024-07-30 19:47

‘Sabbath Queen’ Creators Preach to the Choir About a Rabbi Who Performs Drag: ‘Choirs These Days Need a Lot of Preaching’

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