Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History 

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org
To Boldly Go …
I 

have a quiz for you. Do you know 
Captain Kirk or Dr. Spock? Are you 
familiar with humanoids from other 
planets such as Klingons or Romulans? 
Can you recognize the profile of the 
Starship Enterprise? Are there times you 
wish you had a transporter? Or a phaser? 
Better yet, can you perform the Vulcan 
hand gesture (one hand facing outward, 
fingers up, open space 
between the third and 
fourth finger to form a V)?
If you answered yes to 
any of the above questions, 
you have watched Star 
Trek on TV or a Star Trek 
movie at the theater. If 
you answered yes to all the 
questions, you might just be a “Trekkie.”
I recently read about the Star Trek: 
Exploring New Worlds exhibition at the 
Skirball Cultural Center, a prominent 
and large Jewish cultural institution in 
Los Angeles, California. Organized by 
the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, 
Washington, Star Trek: Exploring New 
Worlds brings together rare artifacts, 
props, costumes and other objects, as 
well as photo and video interactives, 
all about the fictional adventures of the 
Starship Enterprise. 
The message of Star Trek: Exploring 
New Worlds is that a science fiction 
franchise that began with a network 
television series in 1965 has had a lasting 
impact upon modern society. Proof of 
this thesis can be found in everyday life, 
and in 268 pages of the JN in the William 
Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish 
Detroit History. 
One can also argue that Star Trek was 
heavily influenced by Jewish culture. 
First, three Jewish actors — William 
Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Walter 
Koenig — had key roles in the original 
television series. If I attempted to list 
all the Jewish guest stars in the original 
series, subsequent spin-offs and feature 

films from the last 50 
years, I would need a page 
or two in the JN. 
What is most fascinating 
to me is the infusion of 
Star Trek into our society. 
The first mention of Star Trek 
is an announcement for Henry 
Ford High School’s “Bandtastic” 
program, during which teachers 
did a spoof of Star Trek (March 
14, 1969). Indeed, there have 
been many concerts that include 
music from Star Trek (June 27, 
1980). Of course, there are lots 
of ads for theaters showing Star 
Trek movies and video stores 
(remember them?) with the latest 
releases of Star Trek on VCR tapes 
and/or DVDs. To say nothing of 
advertisements for Star Trek col-
lectables as well as various activi-
ties of “Trekkies;” that is, seriously 
devoted fans.
The affect on everyday Jewish Detroit 
was immense. For example, individu-
als placing announcements in the JN’s 
“People Connector” in the 1990s would 
cite their love of Star Trek. The obituary 
for Harvey Weisberg. executive of the 
local Chatham Supermarket chain and 
prominent Jewish communal leader, 
cited his interest in Star Trek (July 7, 
2016). In 2016, the Jewish Book Fair had 
a “Night of Star Trek.” It cited 30 events 
that “boldly go where no book fair 
has ever gone before” (Oct. 20, 2016). 
Even the JN’s supreme wordmeister, Sy 
Manello, referenced Star Trek in one of 
his columns (Sept. 27, 2007). 
I’ll conclude with the Vulcan farewell 
that seems a little bit Jewish to me. There 
is a good chance you already know it: 
“Live long and prosper.” 

Want to learn more? Go to the 
DJN Foundation archives, available for free at 
www.djnfoundation.org.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

70 | FEBRUARY 10 • 2022 

