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You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite R...

Brad and Steven are back this week, talking about Halloween, the upcoming mid-term elections, Republicans who are still afraid of the president, Monica Lewinsky and “the good old days, and the eventual need for a truth and reconciliation commission when this all ends. Have a listen, Happy Halloween, and don’t forget to set your clocks back!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

Social media promised to bring us together. Unfortunately, things haven’t quite turned out that way. In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning and our complicated relationship with the platforms we can’t seem to quit. What does Jewish tradition have to say about disagreement, responsibility, and staying in community when we don’t see eye to eye? Can ancient wisdom help us escape the outrage cycle? Naturally, we hope you’ll share this episode on social media.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fan...

Brad and Steven are back at it this week, with Steven coming in live from Israel. The guys talk about Hummus, for obvious reasons, as well as Israeli transit, parking in Tel Aviv, the baseball playoffs and World Series preview as well as comings and goings (mostly goings) in the Trump administration. Spoiler alert: new WH press secretary — gone; Ambassador to Greece — gone. Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

Being fearless sounds like a pretty good qualification for a superhero. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? In this spoiler-filled episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive into DC’s Lanterns, where cosmic powers collide with some very human problems. Along the way, we explore courage, the possibility of change, and what Jewish tradition has to say about the kind of strength that really matters. Turns out, even a magic ring can’t do all the work.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers...

This week, Brad and Steven are back for episode two of the new season. They bemoan the fate of the 2026 New York Yankees, who once again failed to perform well in the postseason, talk about US behavior on the world stage (spoiler alert: it’s not good), and wonder why the Secretary of Defense/War wants to bring back public executions. Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

Welcome back to all of our loyal listeners for the eleventh(!) season of the Amen Corner. After much delay, Brad and Steven are back at it, reflecting on their changes since the podcast began back in 2016. But as much as things change, there will always be some constants: this week, the guys talk about the Yankees, the Knicks, and the state of the world. Hope you enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

What happens when your shot at redemption begins with a lie? In Hulu’s Chad Powers, disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday (Glenn Powell) disguises himself as an eccentric walk-on for the struggling South Georgia Catfish (get it?), hoping to play the game he loves again. It’s a ridiculous premise with a surprisingly serious question at its heart: Can Russ become a better person while pretending to be someone else? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky talk about the masks we wear and the process of repentance — and ask what it takes to move beyond a mista...

Five years ago, we declared that we believed in Ted Lasso, whose radical kindness and relentless optimism felt like just what the world needed. Now Ted is back — this time coaching AFC Richmond’s new women’s team — and so are we. In this episode of PopTorah, we return to the Torah of Ted Lasso and ask what Season 4 has to teach us about starting over, taking chances, building community, confronting inequality, and believing in people — including ourselves — even when we have no idea how things are going to turn out.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky a...

In this spoiler-filled episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky debate whether Spider-Man: Brand New Day succeeds as a Spider-Man story — or gets tangled in the MCU’s ever-expanding web. Along the way, we explore Peter Parker’s self-imposed isolation, the ways protecting others can become an excuse for keeping them at a distance, and the Torah’s insistence that “it is not good for a human being to be alone.” Does great responsibility sometimes mean great loneliness? Join us as we get into the swing of things!

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong frien...

Christopher Nolan turns one of Western literature’s oldest homecoming stories into something darker: an epic about war, moral consequence, and the difficult work of return. In this spoiler-filled episode of PopTorah, we discuss how Nolan transforms Odysseus from a triumphant hero into a man slowly awakening to the destruction he has caused—and what the film’s treatment of hospitality, violated peace, guilt, and accountability reveals through a Jewish lens. Is it possible to come home after war has changed you? Can time heal wounds without teshuvah? And do those who disregard the moral order ultimately pay for...

What happens when playtime gives way to screen time? In this  episode of PopTorah, we explore Toy Story 5’s encounter between beloved old-school toys and a new generation of smart devices. Along the way, we discuss parenting in the age of tablets and social media, the pressure children feel to fit in, what technology does to imagination and genuine connection, and why Judaism insists that our worth comes not from followers, rankings, or likes, but from being created in the image of God.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and...

What if humanity learned, once and for all, that we are not alone? In this spoiler-filled episode of PopTorah, we dive into Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, a film about revelation, secrecy, fear, and the courage to face truths that powerful people would rather keep hidden. Along the way, we discuss what extraterrestrial life might mean for faith, whether discovering we are not alone would diminish or deepen our sense of awe, and how Judaism helps us think about truth, empathy, and the moral challenge of welcoming the radically other. Disclosure Day asks not only whether we can...

In this episode of PopTorah, we dive into Netflix’s new supernatural sci-fi series The Boroughs, about a group of unlikely heroes in a seemingly perfect retirement community who discover that their “golden years” may be more dangerous — and more meaningful — than anyone imagined. The series, produced by the Duffer Brothers of Stranger Things fame, centers on a mysterious threat trying to steal the one thing its characters don’t have enough of: time. Join us for a spoiler-filled conversation about aging, mortality, friendship, courage, and what it means to choose life when the world assumes your best years are behind you.<...

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 evolving partnership between Deborah and Ava, Hacks asks what we owe one another, whether people can truly change, and how we find purpose when the identities we’ve built for ourselves no longer fit. Join us for a spoiler-filled conversation about ego and growth, forgiveness and accountability, friendship and rivalry, and why some of life’s most meaningful transformations happen...

This week, in a super very special Amen Corner, our guest is Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay. Stephanie is not only the wife of our producer Darone, but she’s running for New York State Assembly. She took time to speak with us about the issues that are important to her, her reasons for running, and why her candidacy is historic. We laughed, learned and got inspired — have a listen!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 between fan service and meaningful storytelling? What happens when institutions focus more on keeping insiders happy than inspiring newcomers? Along the way, we explore themes of found family, mentorship, and belonging, asking what fandoms and faith communities can learn from one another in their shared search for meaning, connection, and a way forward.

Rabb...

After a couple of weeks off, Brad and Steven are back at it, talking about Brad’s trip to Israel, the renaming (and un-naming?) of the Kennedy Center, confederate flags, and of course, the ascendence of the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals. Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 popular culture even as his life and legacy remain fiercely contested. Join us as we explore what the film chooses to reveal, what it avoids, and what it means to turn a figure this beloved, troubled, brilliant, and controversial into mythmaking cinema. Along the way, we wrestle with questions of celebrity, memory, innocence, power, and the uneasy rel...

Brad and Steven are back this week, talking about David Lee Roth with and without Van Halen, Graham Platner and Jon Stewart, Bruce Springsteen and music that is the “soundtrack to your life. Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 and courageous faith. Join us as we discuss what Project Hail Mary has to say about bridging difference, about choosing connection over fear, and about the quiet, radical bravery of not going it alone.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for...

Bad and Steven are back at it this week, talking about tea, loyalty and fandom, Steven’s interaction with a guy wearing a shirt with the flag of Iran on it, the Hulk Hogan documentary and how to properly pronounce the name, “The Iron Sheik,” and Graham Platner’s senatoral candidacy. Have a listen!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

Brad and Steven are back at it this week, wondering if the Strait of Hormuz is opened or closed and thinking about how some people are making lots of money off of oil futures these days. they also talk about Viktor Orban’s defeat in Hungary, JD Vance taking on the Pope, how the midterms could be messed with, and Steven’s Big Jim doll, er, action figure. Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 the moral cost of creating order out of chaos. Drawing on Jewish tradition, we unpack the dangers of manufactured perfection and why utopia so often turns into dystopia. Because sometimes… “paradise” isn’t what it seems.

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 con...

This week, Brad and Steven are back at it, talking about chocolate bunnies and chocolate matzoh, Seders on the subway, the rapper Kosha Dillz, eating in Montreal, and our unhinged president. Have a listen and have a Joyous Easter, Happy Passover and  good whatever else you want to celebrate!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

Brad and Steven are back at it this week, talking about the beginning of the baseball season and the NCAA tournament, the war/not war in Iran, and ICE at the airport. They also ask the timeless question: if you had to choose, would you pick the Olive Garden or sex?  Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 tell to justify their actions. What does it mean to be called a “sinner”? Are we trapped in cycles of conflict—one battle after another—or is transformation actually possible? Through a spoiler-filled conversation, we explore how these films grapple with guilt, redemption, justice, and the messy complexity of human nature, drawing surprising connections to Jewish ideas about sin, repenta...

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 your purpose and finding your people, and the difficulty of balancing safety and freedom. It’s a meta Hollywood sendup, a buddy comedy, and a political commentary — with a lot of heart. Join us as we wander in wonder about this wonder-ful marvel of a show.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers o...

Brad and Steven are back this week, talking about, what else, the war/non-war with Iran. The guys talk about the various justifications that the administration has given for the “special military action,” and wonder what “imminent” really means. They also talk about Kristi Noem’s firing, Stephen Miller’s incorruptibility, and Brad’s solo weekend. Have a listen!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

This week, Brad and Steven talk about their preparations for Snowmageddon 2026, even though it’s going to hit New York City much harder than it will suburban Maryland. The guys also talk about the life of dogs, shoveling snow, and the US Olympic hockey win and the “Miracle on Ice” (again). Have a listen and enjoy!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 hid what he was doing or why — using laughter to mock power, puncture tyranny, and refuse the demand for Jewish silence or decorum. Join us as we explore how Mel Brooks turned Jewish memory, trauma, and chutzpah into laughter, resilience, and resistance.

Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things...

Brad and Steven are back at it this week, trying to recall all of the different news cycles they missed since the last episode. This week, they talk about the racist meme that the president posted about Former President Barack and Michelle Obama as well as the ongoing Epstein files saga — is everyone a complete scumbag??? They also talk about the winter Olympics and the New York Knicks — have a listen!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 whodunit series. Set inside a fractured church community obsessed with power, purity, and control, the film exposes how faith can be manipulated, righteousness performed, and belief turned into a cover for ambition and greed. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky to explore how Wake Up Dead Man takes aim at false piety, moral certainty, and the dangerous stories peop...

 This week’s episode is devoted to the execution of Alex Pretti on the streets in Minneapolis by government thugs. May Alex Pretti’s memory be a blessing.

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

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 authoritarian control. Through a Jewish lens, the conversation explores what it means to grow up, take responsibility for one another, and resist the darkness — both supernatural and all too human — without surrendering hope.

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...

Brad and Steven are back at it this week, talking about aging and how quickly time is passing.  It’s another week where so much news is happening that it’s hard to process it all, but they also talk about what’s happening in Minneapolis, the increasing threats to take over Greenland, and the offshore account that Trump set up to steal Venezuelan oil revenue. Have a listen!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.

Brad and Steven are back for the first episode of 2026, and there’s no shortage of things to talk about. It’s hard to believe that we’re less than two weeks into the new year and how fast events are happening around the world. This week, the guys review the events of the fledgling year, including, the US nabbing the president of Venezuela, the threat by the administration to seize Greenland, the anti-government protests in Iran, and the cold-blooded killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Have a listen!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of...

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 about loyalty, love, sacrifice, and the messy moral terrain between heroism and villainy. Through Jewish lenses — from biblical rebels to rabbinic dreamers — we ask whether anyone is ever fully “for good,” and how our tradition teaches us to hold complexity even when the stakes are sky-high. Grab your broom (or bubble) and join us for a conversa...

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 of Elphaba and Glinda challenges our assumptions about morality, power, and friendship, all through the lens of Jewish wisdom. From Talmudic debates on justice to the Torah’s portrayal of misunderstood heroes, we uncover how Wicked invites us to question the stories we...

This week, Brad and Steven are back for one last time in 2025. They’re talking about the 60 Minutes/Bari Weiss situation and put it in the context of the larger discussion of legacy vs. new media. They also talk about the lack of accepted truths in today’s world and wonder what this portends for the future. Have a listen and Happy Holidays!

You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or your favorite RSS aggregator.