Star Trek and the Jews

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 means for us going forward. We also discuss TOS The Corbomite Maneuver, and what it means to be "authentically Star Trek". The closing music is arranged and produced by Adam Sniderman, with performance from cantorial soloist Lindi Rivers, based on the Star Trek VI Suite by Cliff Eidelman, Theme From Star Trek by Alexander Courage, and traditional Jewish liturgy. This episode ends season 2 of 'Star Trek and the Jews'. -- HSHW: TOS The Corbomite Maneuver (1x10)

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. Author of the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion and many other reference works, Larry's current project, The Trek Files, uses never-before-seen primary documents from the personal archives of Gene Roddenberry and first-hand accounts to dive into the history of Star Trek. -- HSHW: TNG The Inner Light (5x25)

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: TOS Patterns of Force; ENT Storm Front Parts 1 & 2.  

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, which can be found in Tales from the Captain's Table, edited by Keith R.A. DeCandido.

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 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 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, which can be found in Tales from the Captain's Table, edited by Keith R.A. DeCandido. -- List of other books and media discussed or mentioned in this episode: Star Trek: The New Voyages 2, edited by Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath; K'TonTon by Sadie Rose Weilerstein; Atalanta; All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor; The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket; Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy by Richard Michelson; Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good by Nancy Werlin; Anya and the Dragon and Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack; The Inquisitor's Tale, Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz; The Way Back by Gavriel Savit; The Last Shepherd;  Kasper Mützenmacher’s Cursed Hat by Keith R. Fentonmiller; The Golem and the Jinni and The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker. -- Listen to Heidi's recent interview with Nancy Werlin, author of Zoe Rosenthal is Not Lawful Good here: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2021/08/zoe-rosenthal-is-not-lawful-good.html

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 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.) eBook series; and the short story "An Easy Fast" by John Ordover, which can be found in Tales from the Captain's Table, edited by Keith R.A. DeCandido. -- Attribution: SCP-x5x (Outer Thoughts) by Kevin MacLeod / Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6735-scp-x5x-outer-thoughts- / License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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 Trek: Corps of Engineers: Creative Couplings, or alternatively in Books #47 and #48 of the Starfleet Corp of Engineers (S.C.E.) eBook series; and the short story "An Easy Fast" by John Ordover, which can be found in Tales from the Captain's Table, edited by Keith R.A. DeCandido. -- Attributions: Sincerely by Kevin MacLeod / Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5033-sincerely / License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license. Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod / Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome  / License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license.

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