Jewish History Nerds

Latest Episodes:

The Secret History of Judaism’s Oldest Symbol May 08, 2025

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner follow the menorah from its molten birth in a single ingot of gold to its afterlife as national emblem, tracing how one luminous object migrated from desert tabernacle to Roman triumph, from medieval imagination to modern identity.

From Exodus’ intricate blueprint to the Arch of Titus’ triumphant bas-relief, from Hanukkah’s reinvented candelabrum to the State of Israel’s contested seal, they illuminate how this ancient lampstand became a traveling symbol of exile, endurance, creativity, and longing—casting its sevenfold glow across centuries of Jewish ritual, memory, and myth.
Be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.

Click here for a summary and sources referenced in the episode.

Click here to read The Menorah by Theodor Herzl.

Click here for images of the menorah.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠youtube⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠

⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠

⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠

⁠Wondering Jews

How One Kid Accidentally Changed Biblical History May 01, 2025

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner unroll the Ketef Hinnom amulets—two miniature silver scrolls uncovered when a teenager’s stray hammer strike collapsed a burial chamber on Jerusalem’s ancient fringe. Etched with text so microscopic it took years of acids, polymers, and meticulous microscopy to reveal, these glinting fragments turned out to be centuries older than the Dead Sea Scrolls.

From the moment the divine name surfaced in three tight lines, scholars realized they were holding the earliest known form of the priestly blessing—an artifact both primordial and startlingly recent. These curls of silver distill millennia of faith, ritual, and memory into objects scarcely larger than a fingernail.

Be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media. We want to hear from you.

Click here to see images of the Ketef Hinnom amulets and archeological site.

Click here for facts and sources referenced in the episode.

Click here for a vocabulary list from the episode.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠youtube⁠.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠

⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠

⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠

⁠Wondering Jews

Unearthing Dura-Europos: The Synagogue Lost in Time Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner uncover a synagogue frozen in time—Dura-Europos, buried in desert sand for 1,700 years and revealed with its vivid biblical murals and multilingual inscriptions nearly intact. From Moses in Roman dress to Esther in Persian finery, they explore how a tiny diaspora community blended art, ritual, and identity, creating a singular Jewish space that feels both startlingly foreign and instantly familiar.

Be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media. We want to hear from you.

Click the following links to see pictures of the Dura Europos Synagogue.

Pictures of the Dura Europos Synagogue

Additional pictures of the Dura Europos Synagogue

Click here for the sources and summary facts heard in the episode.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews

Buried Secrets: Jewish Magic, Demons, and the Babylonian Incantation Bowls Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct. You have to sign up/log in to vote. https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Yael and Schwab dig into one of the most fascinating artifacts of Jewish antiquity: the Babylonian incantation bowls. These 5th–6th century earthenware bowls, found primarily in modern-day Iraq, were used by Jews—and their neighbors—as magical amulets to ward off demons, secure love, boost fertility, and protect homes. Whether you're into Jewish magic, rabbinic history, or just want to know how to trap a demon in your cereal bowl, this episode has you covered.

Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.

Click here to see a picture of a Babylonian Incantation Bowl.

Click here for additional pictures of the bowls and their inscriptions.

Click here for a word list with some of the vocabulary in the episode.

Click here for a summary and sources about the Babylonian Incantation Bowls.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews

The First Mention of Israel: A Passover Special on the Merneptah Stele Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Yael and Schwab dive into one of the most fascinating—and oldest—archaeological artifacts ever discovered: the Merneptah Stele. We travel back to 1209 BCE to explore this 3,200-year-old slab of Egyptian granite, which contains the first historical mention of Israel. The episode explores what the Merneptah Stele tells us about ancient Israel, Pharaohs, and the real-world backdrop of the Exodus narrative. Listen to Yael and Schwab's informative and delightful conversation and delve into the sources to enrich your Seder with something that’s older than the Haggadah itself.

Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.

Click here to see an image of the Merneptah Stele.

Click here for a recap and to read some of the sources used in the episode

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews

Why the Jewish Star Is the Most Loaded Symbol in History Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner trace the six-pointed star from elegant geometry to existential symbol—an emblem worn proudly on necklaces, weaponized on yellow badges, and planted at the heart of a modern nation. From Prague’s medieval flag to Kabbalistic speculation to its fraught reinvention in the 20th century, they unravel how a simple hexagram absorbed centuries of Jewish pride, peril, mysticism, and identity—becoming a symbol that somehow carries everything and nothing all at once.

Be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.

Click here for a picture of the badge that Nazis forced Jews to wear.

Click here for a picture of the Israeli flag.

Click here for a recap of the information discussed in the episode.

Click here to watch Unpacked's YouTube video "The Surprising History of the Star of David."

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

-------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Jewish History Nerds

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Unpacking Israeli History

Wondering Jews

Season 4, Coming Next Week Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Jewish History Nerds is back! Hosts Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner are here with a preview of season 4. Get ready to nerd out in a season devoted to the fascinating stories behind objects and symbols from Jewish history. Brush up on old episodes and subscribe to the show so you'll never miss an episode.

Be in touch. We want to hear from you. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.

Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.

------------

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

Stars of David with Elon Gold

Wondering Jews

The Secret Jewish Kingdom of...Yemen? Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Ever wonder about the Jewish kings beyond David and Solomon? Join Yael and Schwab as they uncover the intriguing story of a lesser-known monarch from 5th century Yemen. Delve into the complex history of Yosef Dhu Nuwas, a Jewish convert who ascended to the throne of the ancient kingdom of Himyar.

If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media. We really want to hear from you.

This episode was hosted by Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner. Our education lead is Dr. Henry Abramson. Audio was edited by Rob Pera, and we’re produced by Rivky Stern.

For more on Yosef Dhu Nuwas and this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yodfm5BZIs8KBIl24I0bqrASiiPyuTImUOcnQ-t3XGI/edit?usp=sharing

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Wondering Jews

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

Bertha Pappenheim: Life Beyond a Diagnosis Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history

Have you ever felt the need to reinvent yourself? To break free from the constraints of expectations and redefine your own path? Join Yael and Schwab as they explore the legacy of Bertha Pappenheim, aka Sigmund Freud's Anna O, a remarkable Jewish woman who defied societal norms and transcended the confines of her diagnosis. From her pioneering advocacy for women's rights to her profound influence on psychoanalysis, delve into the untold story of a woman who broke free from the limitations imposed by her time.

Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media. We really want to hear from you.

This episode was hosted by Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner. Our education lead is Dr. Henry Abramson. Audio was edited by Rob Pera, and we’re produced by Rivky Stern.

For more on Bertha Pappenheim and this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KiejqyGVVUGZfQqmZ_QSHWKDu_0F7BafnUKsVAwDAmA/edit?usp=sharing

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Wondering Jews

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

Rav Saadia Gaon: In Our Gaonic Era Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

You may have heard of some of the greats of rabbinic history. But even if you've heard of Rav Sa'adia Gaon, you probably don't know his wild story. Join Yael and Schwab as they dive into the Gaonic era and find out what's so special about this transitional figure.

Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media. We really want to hear from you.

This episode was hosted by Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner. Our education lead is Dr. Henry Abramson. Audio was edited by Rob Pera, and we’re produced by Rivky Stern.

For more on Rav Saadia Gaon, and this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y_lBzxA2joDLuUpz395QtM1KI9a5vYvFugJubdYtb14/edit?usp=sharing

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Wondering Jews

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living