LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture includes the House of Study for culture-makers located at the 14th Street Y in New York City. Each year, the diverse LABA Fellows–writers, dancers, musicians, actors and directors–partake in a yearlong study of classical Jewish texts, and then interpret them in their work which is featured in the online Journal and live events. A central focus of LABA is to present Judaism's rich literary and intellectual traditions in a non-denominational, non-religious setting, so that these writings may serve as inspiration for the fellows' art. LABA bases its study around a different theme each year, with this year's theme being BEAUTY. The LABA Fellows program seeks to transform the cultural landscape of New York and the Jewish world by giving artists and culture-makers an opportunity to engage classical texts and create work in dialogue with ancient wisdom, without compromising contemporary vision. Fellows are given a central role in the community center, and serve as innovators and role models through their creative and honest approach to tradition and identity. LABA enables its fellows to challenge conventional assumptions and advance new paradigms for Jewish life and contemporary culture. The word LABA means "lava" in Hebrew, and reflects the way in which art and culture can bring experiences from deep below the surface into day to day life.
