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.

On August 28, 2020, the world was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Chadwick Bozeman, one of our generation’s great actors, best remembered for his iconic turn as King T’Challa/Black Panther in several Marvel movies. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky reflect on Bozeman’s career and legacy, discussing the spiritual lessons from his life, death, and extraordinary filmography, and considering the connections between this tragedy and the upcoming High Holy Days.

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 from Seth Rogen, ‘An American Pickle,’ now streaming on HBOMax, about an Ashkenazi Jewish man who wakes up in 21st century Brooklyn after being preserved in pickle brine for decades is a lighthearted take on some serious themes: assimilation, mourning, how tragic loss impacts theology, ancestry, and the relationship between religion and change. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky for a discussion of the film and the issues it raises, as well as the real-life controversies around some of the recent statements made by the film’s star.

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 Hulu series Taste the Nation, starring Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi, is as much a series about the immigrant experience in America (and an ode to all immigrants have contributed to our culture) as it as a series about American food. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they discuss immigration, assimilation, the American dream, the role of food in Jewish tradition, and whether there is such a thing as “Jewish food.”

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 groundbreaking Broadway phenomenon Hamilton is now a feature film, available to stream on Disney+. In this special episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky break down their thoughts about the play, the music, and the film, discussing what it means to be “in the room where it happened,” when to speak out and when to “talk less, smile more,” how and who tells our stories and why it matters, and how to not throw away your shot. Join us in the Zoom where it happens!

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.

Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky catch up on and discuss what they’ve been watching and thinking about since the pandemic began, but which haven’t had dedicated episodes, including Mrs. America, Queer Eye, Just Mercy, and Little Fires Everywhere.

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 the homicide of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, along with the other recent racially charged killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and more, has sparked a national — global — reckoning with racism and systemic injustice. In this very special episode Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are joined by anti-racism activist and diversity, equity, and inclusion expert April Baskin to discuss the work the Jewish community is called to do in this moment, and the role of pop culture in the movement. Join us for this urgent and important conversation, and for the critical work that lies ahead.

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 90’s era Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, were unquestionably one of the greatest sports teams in history. What does the Bulls’ quest for greatness have to teach us? And what does Jewish tradition have to say about what makes for greatness, and what are its challenges and pitfalls? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky, along with special guest co-host and Chicago-native Rabbi Jeremy “The Great Rabbino” Fine for a spirited conversation about ESPN’s provocative documentary series, The Last Dance.

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.

What’s Jewish about robots becoming sentient and plotting to overthrow humanity? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky for a spirited conversation about HBO’s Westworld, which just concluded its third season, an epic sic-if show rich in timely moral and spiritual challenges such as, “What makes us human?” “Do we have free will?” “What is consciousness?”

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.

In honor of Star Wars Day, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky recorded a special live episode to discuss all things Star Wars and Judaism. Whether you are a Padawan or a Master, you’ll enjoy this lively discussion. So fill your canteen with some green milk, fire up your lightsaber, and fulfill…your…DESTINY with this special live recording of everyone’s favorite pop culture & Judaism podcast. May the Fourth be With You!

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 miniseries “Unorthodox,” based on the 2012 book by Deborah Feldman, raises intriguing questions about Judaism’s relationship with the past, about the challenges and opportunities of community, and about the unfinished business of gender equality in the Jewish world. Join Rabbis K & O for a spirited conversation about the issues at the heart of “Unorthodox.”

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