LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture
LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture uses classic Jewish texts to inspire the creation of art, dialogue, and study.
Part of LABA is the House of Study, a NYC-based artist fellowship program in which a mix of culture-makers come together to study classic Jewish texts in a non-religious, open-minded setting.
The fellows use the study to inspire work, which is featured in our series of LABAlive events and performances. Every year, LABA focuses its study around a theme. Previous themes include PARADISE, EROS, BLUEPRINT, EAT, MOTHER, TIME, BEAUTY, OTHER, LIFE + DEATH, HUMOR, CHOSEN, BROKEN, TABOO, and NIGHT. This year’s theme is CHANGE.
LABA’s goal is to present Judaism’s rich literary and intellectual tradition in a free and creative setting, so that these stories and ideas spark new art. The creative output from our House of Study pushes the boundaries of what Jewish art can be and what Jewish texts can teach.
In 2014, LABA was named one of the most innovative Jewish organizations in North America by the Slingshot Guide and also received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
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Current Theme
The LABA theme for 2025 is CHANGE.
Our relationship with change reaches in two oppositional directions – we fear change, loathe change, long to keep things as they are or reverse things to how they used to be, yearning to return to mythical homelands, to gardens, to our childhoods, to the people and communities and places we knew before change happened; and yet, what are our lives if not constant change, or the pursuit of constant change?
As culture-makers, we simultaneously pursue change of words, materials, musical notes, ideas, sensibilities, and warn others of easy, shallow change, knowing that real change is never so simple. In Jewish culture, we also toggle between a resistance to change and embrace of constant flux – laws, ideas, customs, feelings are simultaneously fixed, resistant to change, and open to change through careful deliberations as well as dreams and intuitions. This year at LABA, we will dive into the paradoxes of CHANGE in our collective souls and individual creative practices.
LABA Fall 2024 Season
LABAlive I:
Twilight
Thursday, October 10 | 7:30 PM
14Y Theater and Lobby
Discover four multimedia works-in-progress that explore nocturnal mysteries across various artistic mediums.
LABAlive II:
Insomnia
Thursday, November 7 | 7:30 PM
14Y Theater and Lobby
Experience four original works-in-progress that wrestle with self-reflection and soul searching.
LABAlive III:
Lucid Dreaming
Thursday, December 5 | 7:30 PM
14Y Theater and Lobby
Immerse yourself in four experimental projects that explore the impact of dreams, nightmares, and the nighttime.
LABA 2nd Stage:
The Second Circumcision of Lili Rosen
October, 25-26 | 7:30 PM
October 27 | 3:00 PM
14Y Theater
A new solo show written & performed by Lili Rosen
Directed by Lindsey Hope Pearlman
Join Lili Rosen on her transformative journey of self-discovery around religion, gender dysphoria, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and identity.
This autobiographical solo show tells the story of Lili, a trans woman of Hasidic experience, who has grappled with both her body and soul since (her first!) puberty. Follow along with Lili’s achingly real, darkly comedic journey of self-acceptance as she publicly wrestles with her most controversial decision yet.
Content Advisory: This show contains adult and sexual language and is recommended for ages 18 and older. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The 2025 LABA Fellows
Get to know the latest LABA New York fellows, as they explore the theme of CHANGE.
Meet the Fellows
Supporters of 14Y Arts + Ideas + LABA
14Y Arts + Ideas programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
