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Artwork for PopTorah

PopTorah

PopTorah
Taylor Swift
Judaism
Jewish Community
Wicked
Jewish Identity
Nobody Wants This
The White Lotus
Disney
Pop Culture
The Holdovers
Mel Brooks
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Next Goal Wins
Inside Out 2
Paul Giamatti
Redemption
Family Dynamics
Shrinking
Andor
The Life Of a Showgirl

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes159Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmJudaismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for PopTorah

Latest Episodes

In this episode of PopTorah, we dive into the acclaimed HBO series Hacks. Beneath the sharp jokes and show-business drama lies a surprisingly rich story about reinvention, aging, ambition, and the complicated relationships that shape us. Through the ... more

Star Wars is back on the big screen, and in this episode of PopTorah, we discuss The Mandalorian and Grogu alongside a broader conversation about the state of Star Wars and franchise storytelling in the age of streaming. What is the difference betwee... more

In this very special episode of PopTorah, recorded LIVE at Temple Beth El in Stamford, CT in front of a packed sanctuary, we dive into Michael, the long-awaited and deeply complicated biopic about Michael Jackson — an artist whose music reshaped popu... more

In this spoiler-filled episode of PopTorah, we dive into Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi space adventure starring Ryan Gosling. What begins as a desperate mission to save humanity becomes something far more intimate — a story about unlikely friendship an... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman
Senior Associate Rabbi of Temple B'nai Jeshurun and co-founder of The Modern Jewish
Temple B'nai Jeshurun
Episode: Bringing ‘Nobody Wants This’ Before the Beit Din
Henry Bernstein
Bob Dylan enthusiast and podcaster
Songs of Experience, a Bob Dylan podcast
Episode: Knowing the ‘Complete Unknown’
Rabbi Talia Kaplan
Rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom and writer on religious topics
Congregation Beth Shalom
Episode: Who Wants ‘Nobody Wants This’?

Hosts

Michael Knopf
Host of PopTorah; rabbi; co-host; frequent facilitator of discussions blending Jewish thought with pop culture.
Jesse Olitzky
Co-host; rabbi; frequent co-presenter of PopTorah discussions.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Interesting mode of Torah study

    And exactly what I need after long workday. A proper mix of meaningful discourse and fun nonsense.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    troubledbridgeoverwater
    United States2 years ago
  • For thinkers and pop culture enthusiasts

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deborahy2k
    United States6 years ago
  • Insightful and Fun

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JRR416
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Gives fresh angles on films and series by tying them to ethical and theological questions.
Engaging hosts who balance humor with serious insights, making it easy to follow whether you're observant or not.
Thoughtful, accessible pop culture analysis with a Jewish lens makes complex ideas approachable.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shadows, Light, and Stranger Things
Q: Did you believe that other characters were going to die?
Rabbi Knopf was pleasantly surprised that more people did not die, given the tension of the story.
The Good, The Bad, and The ‘Wicked’
Q: What do you think that Jewish tradition falls on this question of the subjectivity of good and evil?
It suggests that all humans are inherently evil but can choose good through their actions and environment.
The Good, The Bad, and The ‘Wicked’
Q: What jumps out to you?
The existence of wickedness and whether it's inherent or thrust upon individuals speaks to Jewish theological inquiry.
Special Episode — Israel at War
Q: Where were you when you heard about this and how did you hear about it?
Rabbi Olitzky shares that he glimpsed the news before going to shul and felt a routine heartbreak initially, but later grasped the extent of the tragedy over the day.
The Rabbis are (Still) Cray-Cray for Tay-Tay
Q: What do you think is the cause for that excitement and that obsession?
I would suggest that Taylor Swift is the most talented musician of the 21st century, not just because of her musical talents, but her combination of artistic expression and success.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About PopTorah

What is PopTorah about and what kind of topics does it cover?

PopTorah blends Judaism with pop culture through humorous, thoughtful conversations led by two rabbis. Episodes span films, TV series, and cultural phenomena, all examined through a Jewish lens that weighs ethics, identity, and community. Listeners can expect lively debates, accessible philosophy, and connections between contemporary entertainment and traditional teachings. The show stands out for turning high-brow questions about fame, morality, and responsibility into engaging, often playful discussions that welcome non-observers of Judaism while offering fresh insights for those who are.

Where can I find podcast stats for PopTorah?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for PopTorah. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to PopTorah and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does PopTorah get?

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What are the audience demographics for PopTorah?

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How many subscribers and views does PopTorah have?

To see how many followers or subscribers PopTorah has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to PopTorah?

These podcasts share a similar audience with PopTorah:

1. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. This American Life

How many episodes of PopTorah are there?

PopTorah launched 7 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact PopTorah?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for PopTorah?

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What guests have appeared on PopTorah?

Recent guests on PopTorah include:

1. Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman
2. Henry Bernstein
3. Rabbi Talia Kaplan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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