PopTorah

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new series ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez just completed it’s first season on Hulu. It’s a satire of the true crime genre, entertainers, wealthy uptown Manhattanites, and podcasts (*cough*). But it’s about more than just “murders in the building.” The show explores issues of age and ageism, class, and what it means to pursue a just society. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they crack this case wide open and investigate ‘Only Murders in the Building.’

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new Netflix limited series ‘https://www.netflix.com/title/81166770,’ inspired by Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir, is an extraordinary story of one young woman’s struggle with domestic abuse and poverty in modern America. Through exceptional writing, stunning performances, and gripping filmmaking, the show lays bare the realities of generational trauma, vicious cycles of poverty and abuse, economic inequality, and the woeful insufficiencies and inefficiencies of the social safety net in the U.S. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are joined by special guest Erica Wachs, a writing assistant on the show, to examine ‘Maid’ through the lens of the Jewish tradition.

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

Jason Sudeikis’ AppleTV+ comedy series ‘Ted Lasso,’ about a relentlessly positive American college football coach named Ted Lasso who is, in defiance of reason, hired to lead a British professional soccer team, originally aired at the height of the pandemic. Its kindness and optimism felt like a salve for weary souls, and it soon became a massive sensation. As the show’s second season nears its conclusion, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss the Torah of ‘Ted Lasso.’ Join us!

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new Netflix series The Chair is about the changing landscape of higher education, free speech, “cancel culture”, gender and racial dynamics in the workplace, and contemporary family dynamics. It’s also extremely entertaining and deliciously thought-provoking. Settle into The Chair with Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they discuss what’s Jewish about this provocative series.

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new series The White Lotus, currently streaming on HBO Max, is a dark and acerbic satire about the destructive power of class and caste, topics about which the Jewish tradition has much to say. Additionally, with the High Holy Days on the horizon, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore whether, and in what ways, privilege impedes our capacity for Teshuvah. Join our intrepid rabbis as they check into the White Lotus, unpack the baggage of the show’s themes, and jump into the tempestuous waters of the many questions the series raises.

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new British TV series ‘We Are Lady Parts,’ now streaming on Peacock, follows the members of an all-female, all-Muslim punk rock group as they try to make it big while staying true to who they are. The show raises important questions around issues of representation, diversity, authenticity, and the intersection of religion and secular life, all while navigating the challenges of misogyny and Islamophobia. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky welcome special guest Suja A. Amir, a leader in the south Asian and Muslim communities of Richmond, VA, to discuss the show, and how our respective traditions teach us that we are each greater than the sum of our ‘Parts.’

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new film ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy,’ currently in theaters and streaming on HBO Max, is (spoiler alert) not stellar. But is there more to it than a nonsensical plot, terrible performances by basketball superstars, and a blatant cash-grab by Warner Bros.? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they discuss the Torah hidden within this mess of a movie, touching on issues like parent-child relationships, honoring people for their unique gifts, and finding joy in what you do.

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new Marvel Cinematic Universe television series ‘Loki,’ currently streaming on Disney+, follow the eponymous God of Mischief on adventures in space and time. It’s a mind-bending and thought provoking show, exploring issues like the nature of time, free will, destiny, and “glorious purpose” (as the Master of Magic likes to say). Judaism also has a lot to say about these subjects. How do Jewish views of these concepts and those expressed in ‘Loki’ compare and contrast? And what can they teach us? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they explore the Sacred Timeline and the plain old Sacred in this mischievous episode!

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new film The Mitchells vs. the Machines, now streaming on Netflix, is one of the most inventive, compelling, and original animated features to come out in years. If you’re looking for good family-friendly fun, look no further. But the movie is more than belly laughs and gorgeous eye-candy; it explores rich themes like the complicated dynamics in the relationships between parents and children, and the complexities of life in the digital age. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they discuss what the movie brought up for them as children, as parents, and as rabbis in the 21st century.

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

The new film ‘In the Heights’, based on Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway show of the same name, features stunning visuals, extraordinary choreography, breakout performances, and gorgeous, infectious music. But it’s not only  a feast for the eyes and ears; it also stirs the heart, stimulates the mind, and energizes the spirit, dealing with themes like immigration, class, race, power, and the power of dreams. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they take the 1 train all the way to the top of Manhattan and explore everything ‘In the Heights” has to offer, including the controversy around colorism and representation currently swirling around the film and its creative team.

How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!