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In this season finale, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the powerful and surprising story of the Jewish National Fund's iconic blue tzedakah box—also known as the JNF "Blue Box." What began as a nostalgic household object for many Jewish families turns out to be one of the most influential and controversial symbols in modern Zionist history. Discover how this simple tin box, known as a "pushka" in Yiddish, became a global fundraising tool for land purchases in pre-state Israel, helped popularize the holiday of Tu Bishvat, and instilled Zionist values across generations of diaspora Jews—dime by dime.

Click here to see a picture of Yael's great grandmother's blue box.

Here ⁠is a link to the Blue Box, New Edition, on the JNF's website.

Click here to read about the Jewish National Fund in the Encyclopedia Judaica.

Click here to read excerpts from Eric Engel Tuten's history of the JNF.

Here are links to protests in Canada and Colorado.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wondering Jews

This week, Schwab and Yael dive into one of the most disturbing and enduring symbols of antisemitism in European history: the Judensau, or “Jew Pig.” From its origins in 13th-century German churches to its persistent presence in modern cathedrals like those in Cologne and Wittenberg, this grotesque motif—depicting Jews in degrading, obscene interactions with pigs—embodied and perpetuated centuries of Christian antisemitic propaganda.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

Click here for Isaiah Shachar's book, The Judensau.

Click here for Daniel Leeson's work on The Judensau.

Click here to see images of the Judensau on the church in Wittenberg.

Click here for additional images of the Judensau.

Click here to see images of the Judensau in Cologne.

Click here for a news article about the court order to keep the Judensau in Wittenberg.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Wondering Jews

This week, Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner explore the rich history of some of India’s Jewish communities, including the caste-influenced divisions among the so-called "Black Jews, White Jews, and Brown Jews" of Cochin. Using the Cochin Copper Plates as an entry point, Yael and Schwab explore how Indian Jewish life flourished—largely free of antisemitism—until almost the entire population made Aliyah after 1948. Yael explains that the Cochin (Cranganore) Copper Plates, dating possibly as far back as 1000 CE and inscribed in Tamil, bestowed unique privileges to the Jewish community on India’s Malabar Coast Jews and a Jewish leader named Joseph Rabban. Whether or not you're a "history nerd," you will appreciate this unique story, which reframes what we think of as "Jewish history."

Click here or a summary and sources referenced in the episode.

Click here to see pictures of the Cochin Copper Plates.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Wondering Jews

What can a coin tell us about history, power, and identity? This week, hosts Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner explore the Roman Judea Capta coins—propaganda minted to celebrate Rome’s brutal suppression of the Jewish revolt and the destruction of the Second Temple. Why would a global empire spotlight a small province like Judea on its currency? Schwab unpacks the fascinating world of numismatics, showing how coins served as ancient mass media and a tool for emperors like Vespasian to craft political narratives. This episode dives deep into coins as artifacts, propaganda tools, and symbols of survival and resistance.

Click here for a summary and sources referenced in the episode.

Click here for images of the Judea Capta Coins.

Click here to see images of the Israel Liberata Coin.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠

⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠

⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠

⁠⁠Wondering Jews

This week, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab trace the rich story of the menorah, one of Judaism’s oldest and most powerful symbols. The menorah has become an all encompassing symbol of Judaism in part because of the commercialization of the Christmas and Hanukkah season in the United States. But it has a complex history that started long before big box stores. From its origin in the Book of Exodus to its central role in the Holy Temple, and from the Roman plunder depicted on the Arch of Titus to its prominent place on the State of Israel’s national seal, the menorah has transcended time and geography to become a potent emblem of Jewish resilience, ritual, and identity.

Click here for a summary and sources referenced in the episode.

Click here to read The Menorah by Theodor Herzl.

Click here for images of the menorah.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠youtube⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠

⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠

⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠

⁠Wondering Jews

Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore one of the most astonishing archaeological discoveries in Jewish history: two tiny silver scrolls unearthed in Ketef Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. Dated to the First Temple period—centuries older than the Dead Sea Scrolls—these amulets contain the earliest known inscription of a Biblical verse: the Birkat Kohanim, or priestly blessing. Yael shares how a 13-year-old boy accidentally uncovered a hidden burial chamber packed with ancient treasure, including the scrolls, and how scholars painstakingly unrolled and deciphered them using cutting-edge techniques.

Click here to see images of the Ketef Hinnom amulets and archeological site.

Click here for facts and sources referenced in the episode.

Click here for a vocabulary list from the episode.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠youtube⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠

⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠

⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠

⁠Wondering Jews

Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner explore the story of the Dura Europos Synagogue—preserved beneath desert sand in what is modern day Syria, for 1,700 years. In this colorful episode, Schwab and Yael take listeners on a vivid tour through the 3rd century BCE synagogue, its extraordinary murals of biblical scenes, its mysterious inscriptions, and clues about ancient Jewish life, art, and community. From Pharaoh’s daughter painted in the nude to Ezra depicted with a Torah scroll, this synagogue defies modern expectations with its wall-to-wall biblical imagery, multilingual graffiti, and rich cultural fusion of Roman, Persian, and Jewish influences.

Click the following links to see pictures of the Dura Europos Synagogue.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews

We'd like to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to tell us your thoughts and feedback about Jewish History Nerds. Here's the link: ⁠⁠https://unpacked.media/nerdsurvey⁠⁠

Yael and Schwab dig into one of the most fascinating artifacts of Jewish antiquity: the Babylonian incantation bowls. These 5th–6th century earthenware bowls, found primarily in modern-day Iraq, were used by Jews—and their neighbors—as magical amulets to ward off demons, secure love, boost fertility, and protect homes. The conversation explores how these artifacts reflect the everyday concerns of Jews in late antiquity, how they blur the line between halacha and magic, and what they reveal about cultural exchange across ancient religions. Whether you're into Jewish magic, rabbinic history, or just want to know how to trap a demon in your cereal bowl, this episode has you covered.

Click here to see a picture of a Babylonian Incantation Bowl.

Click here for additional pictures of the bowls and their inscriptions.

Click here for a word list with some of the vocabulary in the episode.

Click here for a summary and sources about the Babylonian Incantation Bowls.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews

As Passover approaches, Yael and Schwab dive into one of the most fascinating—and oldest—archaeological artifacts ever discovered: the Merneptah Stele. We travel back to 1209 BCE to explore this 3,200-year-old slab of Egyptian granite, which contains the first historical mention of Israel. The episode explores what the Merneptah Stele tells us about ancient Israel, Pharaohs, and the real-world backdrop of the Exodus narrative. Listen to Yael and Schwab's informative and delightful conversation and delve into the sources to enrich your Seder with something that’s older than the Haggadah itself.

Click here to see an image of the Merneptah Stele.

Click here for a recap and to read some of the sources used in the episode

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews