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