PopTorah

3.7 (26)
JUDAISM
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to PopTorah with Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky. 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.

DEC 19

The Good, The Bad, and The ‘Wicked’

What does it mean to be good? And who gets to decide? In this magical episode of PopTorah, we dive into the world of Wicked, the spellbinding prequel to The Wizard of Oz that flips the script on the nature of good and evil. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they explore how the tale […]

1 hr
DEC 5

Trying ‘Shrinking’ On for Size…Again

In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss season 2 of the AppleTV+ hit, ‘Shrinking‘! After our first deep dive into the series, we couldn’t help but return to explore even more of the lessons it has to offer about therapy, grief, and the messiness of human connection. As we revisit the characters and their […]

40 min
NOV 21

“Yellowstone” and the Battle for the Soul of America

In this episode, we dive into the rugged and ruthless world of “Yellowstone,” where questions of legacy, land, and loyalty play out against a stunning yet unforgiving backdrop. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore the show’s themes of justice, tradition, and the pursuit of power, asking what it means to protect — and even “make great”— […]

43 min
NOV 7

Right, Wrong, and ‘Agatha All Along’

In this episode, we explore the spellbinding new Marvel TV series “Agatha All Along” (streaming on Disney+), where the lines between power, control, and deception blur in thrilling ways. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive deep into the show’s themes, unpacking its clever take on leadership, hidden motives, change and the lengths people go to maintain […]

41 min
OCT 15

Who Wants ‘Nobody Wants This’?

In this episode, we dive into the thought-provoking Netflix series “Nobody Wants This,” exploring its funny and sometimes cringey take on identity, community, and the challenges of belonging. Joined by special guest Rabbi Talia Kaplan of Congregation Beth Shalom in Overland Park, Kansas (whose hot take on the show recently went viral), Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss […]

55 min
OCT 1

Grieving and Loving ‘Between the Temples’

In this episode, we dive into ‘Between the Temples‘, a quirky new indie comedy about a cantor grappling with a crisis of faith. Starring Jason Schwartzman as Ben, a grief-stricken cantor whose life takes an unexpected turn when his former grade school music teacher (Carol Kane) re-enters his life as an unlikely Bat Mitzvah student, […]

40 min
SEP 19

How We Spent Our PopTorah Summer Vacation

The rabbis are back from break and ready to talk Torah! The summer of 2024 delivered epic superhero showdowns, headline-grabbing streaming series, and some family-friendly fare. As the summer heat fades, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive into the season’s biggest pop culture moments, exploring their deeper meanings and connecting the dots to Jewish values and […]

36 min
JUL 11

We’re All In on ‘Inside Out 2’

‘Inside Out 2’ is the sequel to the critically acclaimed and widely beloved 2015 Disney/Pixar animated film ‘Inside Out,” and is proving to be just as successful. By depicting the inner life of an adolescent girl, these films explore how our emotions shape us, for good and for ill. The sequel adds to this by […]

41 min

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3.7

out of 5

26 Ratings

Interesting mode of Torah study

Dec 9

troubledbridgeoverwater

And exactly what I need after long workday. A proper mix of meaningful discourse and fun nonsense.
For thinkers and pop culture enthusiasts

05/07/2020

Deborahy2k

Even if you haven’t seen the wide variety of programs and movies they discuss, the conversations are fascinating. Pop culture serves as a modern entry to age old philosophies found in biblical and rabbinic Torah. You don’t have to be observant or even media savvy to enjoy the discussions. This is a podcast for all!
Insightful and Fun

04/24/2020

JRR416

I really enjoy this show. They bring an interesting perspective to pop culture.

Welcome to PopTorah with Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky. 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.