NEW BOOK COMING SOON from Rabbi Yonassan Gershom: You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy my upcoming book, Jewish Themes in Star Trek, a well-researched and reader-friendly journey into Jewish themes, actors, in-jokes, etc. in Trekdom. Dedicated to the memory of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut in space, and his six crewmates, who perished aboard the space shuttle Columbia in February 2003.

Inspired by a class I once taught at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah, the book explores such things as: The Jewish origin of the Vulcan salute (read excerpt) ; how Vulcan culture is based on rabbinical Judaism; Do the Romulans resemble modern Israelis? Is Worf really a Klingon version of a ba'al tshuvah? Plus: proof positive that the Ferengi were based on Yankee traders, not the Jews! Over ten years in the making, the manuscript is finally done, and when it comes out, this list will be the first to know.

[Note: I'm still looking for a publisher. (My previous publisher did not want it because it is out of their genre.) If you are an editor interested in acquiring this title, contact my literary agent, Jim Cypher, at: jimcypher@prodigy.net] I am also considering self-publishing. You can express your preferences for which book format would be best in the poll here.]

So nu, sign up now for this occasional newsletter to get advanced publication info, sneak previews, Jewish Trek Trivia questions, book reviews, etc., plus links to more Jewish Trek sites. [NOTE: This is not an Orthodox list. I happen to be a Breslover Hasid, but, as a lifelong Trekker, I also respect IDIC (diversity). Live long and prosper.]