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 expec

Oral Traditions (Or, The One with Picard‘s Flute)

Nov 4th, 2021 56m 56s

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

Space Nazis (Or, Misadventures on the Paramount Backlot)

Oct 5th, 2021 39m 15s

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 hist

Bonus

Bonus: Live from the Jewish Museum

Sep 13th, 2021 44m 39s

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 exhibi

For You Were Strangers

Sep 9th, 2021 59m 4s

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 dedic

Part II - Captain David Gold: Don't Call it a Midrash

Aug 10th, 2021 45m 45s

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,

Part I - Captain David Gold: Don't Call it a Midrash

Aug 9th, 2021 38m 26s

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 Rabinowitz, host of The Book of

Time Helix

Jul 8th, 2021 28m 54s

Time. David Zvi 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

Conversion (no, not matter/anti-matter conversion)

Jun 9th, 2021 57m 41s

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 t

Benny Russell is Dreaming of Us

May 11th, 2021 32m 23s

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

NOT CANON!!!

Apr 12th, 2021 1h 22m

'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 approac

After the Burn

Mar 11th, 2021 1h 1m

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

Time, Space and Courage

Feb 11th, 2021 23m 43s

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 Disa

Literally Saving the Whales

Jan 13th, 2021 1h 9m

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

Four Ensigns Enter the Pardes

Dec 15th, 2020 1h 8m

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 Po

The Clerk of Gallitep

Nov 16th, 2020 1h 22m

"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 Holocau

Seventy Facets: Jews, Gender, Jadzia and J'naii

Oct 19th, 2020 1h 13m

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 abou

Bonus

Bonus: Day of Atonement / Day of Honor

Sep 21st, 2020 17m 38s

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 epi

The Goatee Inclination

Sep 17th, 2020 1h 6m

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 conce

Harrison and Libenson at Tanagra

Aug 19th, 2020 1h 6m

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 fo

The Lobed Elephant in the Room

Jul 21st, 2020 1h 2m

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

Spock Z"L, Leonard Z"L

Jun 21st, 2020 56m 29s

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 fro

Jews in Space

May 24th, 2020 1h 9m

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 talk

Golem Picard

Apr 24th, 2020 1h 5m

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

Q the Accuser, and Other Creatures

Mar 25th, 2020 57m 19s

How do Star Trek's most powerful creatures relate to Jewish ideas of the divine? Reb Alert guest Rabbi Mimon Mamane of Congregation Magen David of Manhattan talks to us about monotheism, as well as HaSatan (the Accuser), Malachim (angels) and S