A reflection on two years using Trek to boldly explore the worlds of Jews and Judaism. Joined by the one and only Dr. Adam Sniderman, we look back at what we've learned, consider favourite moments, and weigh our show against the goals and expectations we had at the start of the series. We think about how Trek and the Jewish world have each changed over the past two years--a period which encompasses most of the "New Trek" era and the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic to date--and what that...

An exploration of oral traditions in Judaism and Star Trek with two very different interviews. Xava De Cordova, Torah scholar and co-host of the queer Talmud podcast Xai, How Are You, joins to teach about study of the Jewish oral tradition, and what it means to find and transmit new and changing meanings within an ancient text. "Dr. Trek" Larry Nemecek is the modern keeper of Star Trek's oral history: a writer and archivist dedicated to preserving the stories of the making of Star Trek....

Star Trek often uses metaphors and allegory to depict issues in human history and society. But sometimes... Star Trek just says 'screw all that subtly, here are some aliens dressed up as Nazis'. Joined by guest Leah Mauer, a teacher of the history of genocide, we examine how Star Trek portrays Nazism and depicts (or avoided depicting) the Holocaust. We talk about changing themes of depiction of genocide in America media, and the roles of bystanders, perpetrators and victims. --- HSHW:...

Shana tova! In this bonus episode, we're revisiting our February 2021 virtual live show at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. -- JIAS Toronto donation page: https://jiastoronto.org/jias-toronto-donate/ Jewish Museum of Maryland Jews in Space exhibit: https://jewishmuseummd.org/events/jews-in-space/

Refugees, Judaism and Star Trek, examined through the lens of DS9 Sanctuary. How has Star Trek depicted refugees? What obligations do we as Jews have to welcome refugees? Guests Jodi Block and Naomi Kramer of JIAS Toronto, a Jewish agency dedicated to the settlement of immigrants and refugees. -- HSHW: DS9 Sanctuary (2x10) -- Music Attribution Feather Waltz by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3743-feather-waltz License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Part two our deep dive in Captain David Gold, lead character of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers eBook series, with authors Glenn Hauman, Aaron Rosenberg and Keith R.A. DeCandido. -- HSHW: "Creative Couplings" by Glenn Hauman & Aaron Rosenberg, which can be found in the anthology book Star Trek: Corps of Engineers: Creative Couplings, or alternatively in Books #47 and #48 of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers (S.C.E.) eBook series; and the short story "An Easy Fast" by John Ordover,...

The first half of our deep dive in Captain David Gold, lead character of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers eBook series, and one of the most prominent Jewish characters in the Star Trek literary world. Guest Heidi Rabbinowitz, host of The Book of Life podcast and Jewish children's librarian, joins us to unpack these stories and the state of the Jewish children's literary world. -- HSHW: "Creative Couplings" by Glenn Hauman & Aaron Rosenberg, which can be found in the anthology book...

Time. David Tzvi Kalman joins to discuss Jewish time keeping technologies and the use of time in Star Trek. Maxine Lee Ewaschuk offers a d'var Torah on Tisha B'Av and the passage of time. -- Note for upcoming HSHW. In August, we'll be discussing the novella "Creative Couplings" by Glenn Hauman & Aaron Rosenberg, which can be found in the anthology book Star Trek: Corps of Engineers: Creative Couplings, or alternatively in Books #47 and #48 of the Starfleet Corp of Engineers (S.C.E.)...

Joined by Yacov Fruchter, we're exploring contemporary issues and practices surrounding conversion to Judaism. We'll hear short vignettes from people who've undergone the process, and talk about how Star Trek has approached conversion through the lens of joining a Klingon house. HSHW: DS9 You Are Cordially Invited -- Note for upcoming HSHW. In August, we'll be discussing the novella "Creative Couplings" by Glenn Hauman & Aaron Rosenberg, which can be found in the anthology book Star...

Joined by writer and advocate Tema Smith, we explore ideas connected to Jews and the struggle for racial equality; white privilege and racial identify among white Jews; antisemitism and anti-Black racism; and ongoing barriers within the Jewish community faced by Jews of colour. We explore these all these concepts framed by two of Star Trek's most iconic morality tales. HSHW: TOS Let That Be Your Last Battlefield; DS9 Far Beyond the Stars

'Canon'--the body of work designated as genuine, sanctioned, important or official--is a concept that intersects fandoms and religions. In this episode, we discuss all things canon including: Star Trek's nebulous official and unofficial approaches to a canon; the historical formation the Jewish canon; challenges to the Western literary canon and the relationship between those critiques and problematic parts of Star Trek; and the in-universe approach that Trek characters have to religious...

Discovery season 3's Jewish themes and ideas. The crew of Discovery find themselves in a galaxy where the institutions they relied on are shattered, and where collective memory and the values of the Federation are under great threat. Rabbi Dov Linzer, President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, joins us to talk about how Jews and Judaism adapted to the crisis of the destruction of the Second Temple. Plus, Discovery cast member and lifelong Star Trek fan Noah Averbach-Katz on...

What might possibly link a scroll, written on goatskin, found in the Judean Mountains 2,000 years after its composition with an astronaut whose space shuttle disintegrated during its return to Earth? On the 18th anniversary of the Columbia Disaster and the yahrzeit of Ilan Ramon, we pause from our regular programming to hear a story of time, space and courage that links the 1st century to the 21st century. A special presentation with Rav Baruch Frydman-Kohl.---Join us for our upcoming virtual...

Environmentalism, Star Trek and Judaism discussed in celebration of the upcoming holiday of Tu BiShvat. We're looking at ways Trek has depicted environmental issues and the environmental movement. Approaching ancient and modern sources, we try to understand a Jewish response to the environmental crisis of our time. Also, Josh ruins Star Trek 4 (the one with the whales!). Reb Alert guest Annamie Paul, leader of the Green Party of Canada.HSHW: TNG Force of Nature; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Jewish themes and ideas in Lower Decks season 1. Hava and Josh examine ways Star Trek and Judaism approach the separation of labour time from leisure time, a divide which feels threatened in our era. Guest Tiffany Shlain, author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week, joins us to chat about 'tech Shabbat', giving up screens one day to gain time, productivity, connection and presence. We explore Jewish approaches to spiritual ascension, including the esoteric tradition of merkabah...

"Duet" is perhaps the most thought-provoking episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It is a chilling quest for justice in the aftermath of genocide, examining the nature of guilt and complicity. In this episode, we are talking about the Holocaust, and to avoid abstraction, we start by talking about the experiences of our own families. Duet has eerie parallels to the trial of Oskar Gröning, a former SS officer who was arrested at the age of 93 and charged with 300,000 counts of accessory to...

This month we're talking about gender in Judaism and Star Trek. We look at episodes where Trek and has tried (and usually failed) to have a conversation about gender and sexuality, and episodes where Trek maybe isn't trying to say anything about gender and sexuality at all, but we hear it anyway. We explore Jewish approaches, including our obligation to uncover parts of the Jewish tradition that have been occluded from traditional narratives. Plus we chat about Torah and Star Trek with Rabbi...

Shana tova! As we approach Yom Kippur, this bonus episode looks back at our interview with Rabbi Steve Wernick of Beth Tzedec Congregation. We talk about Jewish ideas of wrongdoing, repentance, community, and the season 4 Star Trek: Voyager episode "Day of Honor".--Attributions: Opening: 8-bit adaptation of Avinu Malkeinu by Benjamin Alembik, part of the Hag Sameah Remixes project. Used with permission. // Shofar blowing by Sarit Silverman of Temple Israel of Westport, Connecticut.

Two inclinations, the Jewish tradition holds, exist within each person: good and evil. In this episode, we explore concepts of the nature of evil in Star Trek and Judaism. We welcome back Rabbi Jennifer Gorman to teach us about the Jewish concept of the yetzer hara. Looking at TOS The Enemy Within, TOS Mirror, Mirror, TNG Datalore and DSC Despite Yourself, Hava and Josh explore depictions of evil in Star Trek, contrast them Jewish ideas, and explore how both connect to the nature of free will...

Sokath, his eyes uncovered. We welcome Benjamin Ahr Harrison of The Greatest Generation and Dan Libenson of Judaism Unbound to talk TNG Darmok and the Jews. We chat about shared stories and metaphor, insider/outsider language, and the search for meaning and community. Plus, Hava and Josh share first impressions of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

It's the Ferengi episode we've been dreading. Eek! We're jumping into the decades-old controversy about antisemitism in Star Trek. Reb Alert guest Jonathan Branfman helps us trace the historic origins of pop culture depictions of Jews, and how these tropes intersect with both gender and Christonormativity. We look at the Ferengi's rocky start in season 1 of TNG and track their evolution through DS9, with an eye towards models of TV's "Jewish Mother" and "Nice Jewish Boy" tropes. Plus: Jewish...

Spock and Leonard Nimoy are at the core Trek's Jewishness. This month, we look back at them both with love. Hava and Josh examine the Jewishness of Spock, and how that legacy has shaped Star Trek and our own identities. Using archival audio from the Wexler Oral History Project, we hear from Leonard Nimoy himself, reflecting on his life and career.Please join us and #TrekkiesTogether in supporting organizations combating anti-Black racism. Click here to make a donation to organizations...

Imagining Jewish life in Star Trek's 24th century. Hava and Josh look at TNG Journey's End and Sub Rosa to explore how Trek has depicted modern human national groups, leaving a whole balagan to unpack. Reb Alert guest Rabbi Jennifer Gorman talks about the practical halacha of off-planet Shabbat, alien kashrut and synth Jews. Plus a look at how Starfleet handles reasonable accommodation. Source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/239180

Picard season 1's Jewish themes, references and ideas. Reb Alert guest Aaron Rotenberg of the Annex Shul (Toronto) teaches us about the Golem. Hava and Josh consider if showrunner Michael Chabon delivered Star Trek's most Jewish season of Star Trek to date. Reb Alert source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/232064