EPISODE · May 14, 2025 · 49 MIN
Amichai Lau Lavie - Let's Meet In The Messy Middle
from People Jew Wanna Know · host People Jew Wanna Know
Named "one of the most interesting thinkers in the Jewish world" by The Jewish Week and one of America's Top 50 Rabbis by The Forward, Amichai Lau Lavie joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to share his story. Rabbi Amichai comes from 38 consecutive generations of Rabbis and is known for his progressive, "God-optional" congregation Lab/Shul in NYC and a documentary film about his life - Sabbath Queen. In this conversation, Margarita and Amichai discuss Sabbath Queen, the importance of embracing "the messy middle," and the current political landscape in Israel. Follow Amichai on Instagram @amichailaulavie and check out his film, Sabbath Queen, at www.sabbathqueen.com Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknowWhat We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 07:18 Who is the Sabbath Queen? Meeting in the messy middle 13:11 At what point is changing tradition changing Judaism altogether? 16:40 Death of the conservative Jewish movement in NYC 20:03 How do we build bridges with Anti-Zionist Jews? Learnings from Amichai's Lab/Shul congregation 31:15 Amichai's take on Israeli politics today - end the occupation, immediate ceasefire 39:21 "We are dreaming a nightmare, and we have to wake up." 42:30 Is the Moshiach coming? 43:21 What is Amichai optimistic about? 45:04 What would Hadassah say? 46:02 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
What this episode covers
Named "one of the most interesting thinkers in the Jewish world" by The Jewish Week and one of America's Top 50 Rabbis by The Forward, Amichai Lau Lavie joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to share his story. Rabbi Amichai comes from 38 consecutive generations of Rabbis and is known for his progressive, "God-optional" congregation Lab/Shul in NYC and a documentary film about his life - Sabbath Queen. In this conversation, Margarita and Amichai discuss Sabbath Queen, the importance of embracing "the messy middle," and the current political landscape in Israel. Follow Amichai on Instagram @amichailaulavie and check out his film, Sabbath Queen, at www.sabbathqueen.com Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknowWhat We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 07:18 Who is the Sabbath Queen? Meeting in the messy middle 13:11 At what point is changing tradition changing Judaism altogether? 16:40 Death of the conservative Jewish movement in NYC 20:03 How do we build bridges with Anti-Zionist Jews? Learnings from Amichai's Lab/Shul congregation 31:15 Amichai's take on Israeli politics today - end the occupation, immediate ceasefire 39:21 "We are dreaming a nightmare, and we have to wake up." 42:30 Is the Moshiach coming? 43:21 What is Amichai optimistic about? 45:04 What would Hadassah say? 46:02 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
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Amichai Lau Lavie - Let's Meet In The Messy Middle
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