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 [https://www.patreon.com/xaihowareyou], 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 [https://thetrekfiles.libsyn.com/], 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 [https://jiastoronto.org/jias-toronto-donate/] donation page: https://jiastoronto.org/jias-toronto-donate/ [https://jiastoronto.org/jias-toronto-donate/] Jewish Museum of Maryland Jews in Space exhibit: https://jewishmuseummd.org/events/jews-in-space/ [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 [https://jiastoronto.org], 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