PopTorah
Religion & Spirituality
About
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.
Episodes
- Man in the Mirror: Fame, Myth, and the Making of Michael (Special Live Episode!)
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 r…
- Faith, Friendship, and First Contact in Project Hail Mary
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 f…
- Unfortunately, it was ‘Paradise’
In this episode of PopTorah, we break down Hulu’s Paradise — a gripping, twist-filled series about a so-called perfect society that quickly reveals its cracks. With full spoilers, we explore how Paradise wrestles with power, control, and t…
- Sinners, Saints, and One Battle After Another: The 2026 Oscars Episode
In this special Oscars episode of PopTorah , we dive into two of the most talked-about films of the year: Sinners and One Battle After Another . Both films wrestle with big questions about morality, power, violence, and the stories people…
- Power, Persona, and Purpose in Marvel’s “Wonder Man”
In this episode of PopTorah, we dive into Marvel’s newest Disney+ series, “Wonder Man.” This isn’t just another superhero origin story. The show explores the tension between public image and inner truth, the seduction of fame, discovering…
- If You Got It, Flaunt It: Mel Brooks at 99
In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky talk about Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! , the HBO Max documentary celebrating Mel Brooks and a lifetime of unapologetic comedy. From The Producers to Blazing Saddles , Brooks never…
- Faith, False Prophets, and Fool’s Gold in Wake Up Dead Man
What happens when a miracle involves a murder — and who benefits when the truth stays buried? In this spoiler-filled episode of PopTorah, we dive into Wake Up Dead Man, the darkest and most theologically charged entry in Rian Johnson’s who…
- Shadows, Light, and Stranger Things
Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky return to Hawkins for the final season of the Netflix juggernaut Stranger Things . Beyond monsters and nostalgia, the show offers a sobering meditation on fear, power, and the seductions of militarism and authorita…
- ‘Wicked’: For Good?
What does it really mean to choose the side of “good” — and what does it cost? In this follow-up journey back to Oz, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore Wicked: For Good , the second chapter of Elphaba and Glinda’s story, and what it reveals…
- 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 Kno…
- Undercover on Campus: ‘A Man on the Inside’ Season 2 and the Purpose of Learning
What does it mean to learn, to teach, to remain faithful to ideals in a changing world? Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss A Man on the Inside Season 2 — campus mysteries, human motives, and the deeper questions this witty Netflix comedy inv…
- Pluribus’ and the Paradox of Peoplehood
In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore the haunting and thought-provoking world of AppleTV+’s Pluribus — a series in which nearly all of humanity becomes fused into a single hive mind, leaving only a handful of indiv…
- Bringing ‘Nobody Wants This’ Before the Beit Din
The rabbis are back in session! In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky convene a Beit Din to deliberate the ethical, emotional, and existential questions raised by Netflix’s Nobody Wants This . Joined by special guest Rabbi Karen Glazer…
- The Rabbis Are Kvelling for Tay-Tay
Taylor Swift is smiling, and so are we. In Life of a Showgirl, the world’s biggest pop star turns the page from heartbreak to happiness—finding meaning, playfulness, and joy in the spotlight. In this latest episode of PopTorah , Rabbis Kno…
- Extra! Extra! The Torah of ’The Paper’
What’s the role of a newsroom in an age of spin, clickbait, and fake news? The Paper — the new Office spinoff — takes us inside a struggling local newspaper where staffers battle not just deadlines and budgets, but the question of whether…
- Holy Harmony in K-Pop Demon Hunters
Netflix’s smash hit K-Pop Demon Hunters delivers more than catchy beats and dazzling visuals — it’s a story about guilt, redemption, and the courage to embrace who we really are. In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky unpack…
- ‘Fantastic Four’ the World… or Just Your Family?
Before they’re the world’s greatest heroes, they’re a family — and family means hard choices. In Fantastic Four: First Steps , Marvel’s first family learns that the call to save the world can clash with the call to be there for the people…
- Superman’ is a Super-Mensch
What if the real superpower isn’t leaping tall buildings — but refusing to harden your heart? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky unpack the new Superman film’s bold message: that kindness is a kind of strength, and vulne…
- Sound and Fury, Sisters and ‘Sirens’
In Netflix’s Sirens , myth meets modernity as ancient sea spirits crash into a coastal town’s contemporary chaos — leaving behind a trail of mystery, memory, and moral reckoning. On this episode of PopTorah , Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive…
- Mind Over ‘Mountainhead’
Mountainhead ,’ the sharp new HBO film from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong, stars Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef as four tech billionaires on a poker retreat at a mountaintop villa — while the wor…
- ‘Seasons’ of Love
In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive into Netflix’s new dramedy The Four Seasons , a modern take on love, friendship, and the many seasons of life. Inspired by the eponymous 1981 film, the series invites us to reflect on aging, c…
- Andor and the Art of Resistance
Set during the ascendancy of the evil galactic empire, Andor , whose full second and final season is now out on Disney+, strips away the mythic and reveals the human cost of rebellion. In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky…
- ‘The Studio’ and the Shul
What do a Hollywood studio and a synagogue have in common? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore ‘The Studio’, the Apple TV+ comedy about the pressures of keeping a creative machine running — and what it reveals abo…
- Before the Iron Throne, There Was the ‘House of David’
Long before Westeros crowned its kings, ancient Israel had its own saga of ambition, betrayal, prophecy, and power. In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore House of David, the new Prime series that reimagines the life…
- Searching for God at ‘The White Lotus’
Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’ trades Sicilian scandal for Thai transcendence, following guests who journey to Thailand seeking serenity, connection, and maybe even enlightenment. What they find, however, is far more complicated. In this so…
- Pop-pourri — Comfort Watches for Tumultuous Times
When the world seems to be going off the rails, what movies and shows do we turn to for comfort, and why? Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are binge-watching at the edge of the abyss. Join us as we catch up on everything Jewish about our favorite…
- ‘You’re Cordially Invited’ … But Should You Go?
Weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions—but what happens when everything goes off the rails? In this celebratory episode of PopTorah, we RSVP to You’re Cordially Invited, the new comedy that turns a dream destination wedding into a hi…
- The Poppys: PopTorah 2025 Oscars Special!
The 97th Academy Awards are here, and Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are here to talk about the Torah of this year’s nominees. In this special episode, we discuss Emilia Perez , A Complete Unknown , Conclave , Wicked , Ano ra , The Apprentice ,…
- No ‘Pain’, No Gain
What do we owe the past — and each other? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky unpack ‘A Real Pain’, the poignant new film that follows two cousins on a journey through Poland, confronting history, family, and their own co…
- Knowing the ‘Complete Unknown’
Who is Bob Dylan, really? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are joined by friend-of-the-pod Henry Bernstein to explore ‘A Complete Unknown’, the new biopic that takes us behind the enigmatic persona of one of music’s mo…
- Over the Hill and Undercover: Being ‘A Man on the Inside’ and Out
What can an undercover spy in a retirement home teach us about aging, purpose, and truly living? In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss ‘A Man on the Inside,’ the new Netflix comedy from show runner Michael Schur and star Ted Da…
- Charting New Waters with ‘Moana 2’
In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive into ‘Moana 2’, Disney’s follow-up to the beloved original. How does the sequel build on Moana’s journey of self-discovery and leadership? What new lessons does it offer about courage, identit…
- 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 Kno…
- 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,…
- “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,…
- 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 t…
- 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…
- 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 forme…
- 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…
- 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…
- Dune: Part 2: More Power Dynamics, Less Platform Disruption
Dune: Part 2 , now streaming on Max, continues the sprawling epic adapted from Frank Herbert’s legendary sci-fi series. Featuring an all-powerful psychotropic mineral, a race of space witches, personal force fields, giant sandworms, Dune e…
- X-Mensches
Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 , now streaming on Disney+, is a reboot/sequel to the X-Men animated series that was beloved by older Millennials who grew up in the ‘90s. The sequel is smoother and shinier, but still possesses the same spirit…
- Are the Rabbis STILL Cray-Cray for Tay-Tay?
The third installment in PopTorah’s ongoing conversation about Taylor Swift, our resident rabbinic Swifties discuss her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” Spoiler alert: the reviews were decidedly mixed, and prompted some spiri…
- Does Bustin’ Make You Feel Good?
The new film, ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,’ a sequel to the ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ is a thing that exists. But should it? Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky have feelings. Is there something strange in the neighborhood? Are we ‘ready to believe’…
- ‘Manhunt’ and the Pursuit of Justice
The new AppleTV+ series ‘Manhunt’, adapted from James L. Swanson’s eponymous book, follows the 12 day search for Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. As the hunt for Booth unfolds, it exposes a deeper conspiracy — one aimed at re…
- The Poppys: PopTorah 2024 Oscars Special!
The 96th Academy Awards are behind us, and Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are here to talk about the Torah of this year’s nominees. In this special episode, we discuss Oppenheimer, Barbie, Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, and more! Who won, wh…
- Making the Old ’Daily Show’ New, and Making the New Holy
Jon Stewart’s back, baby! The influential Jewish comic who made ‘The Daily Show’ a cultural juggernaut before leaving in 2015 has returned, for a limited time, to his old seat. Does he have what it takes to make the show, and basic cable,…
- A Pretty, Pretty…Pretty Good Episode
HBO’s long-running comedy series, Curb Your Enthusiasm, starring legendary comedian and ‘Seinfeld’ co-creator Larry David as a slightly fictionalized version of himself, is coming to an end with its 12th and final season. Rabbis Knopf and…
- What’s ‘Good’ about ‘Grief’?
The new Netflix film ‘Good Grief,’ written, directed, and produced by star Daniel Levy, explores how we pick up the pieces in the wake of tragic loss, especially when we discover things about our loved ones after their death that complicat…
- Don’t Passover ’The Holdovers’
Alexander Payne’s newest film, ‘The Holdovers,’ stars Paul Giamatti as a prickly, demanding teacher at an elite northeastern boarding school who gets stuck supervising the one student left on campus during winter break. Set as the 60’s bec…