Celebrating in Space
On December 15, we had an educational screening in collaboration with “Out of The Box” Israel. Participated in the event high school students and educators from six countries (Israel, USA, Italy, Panama, Turkey, and UAE). It was inspiring to see how the film generates a meaningful conversation between students representing different cultures and religions. We are planning to bring such events to more students and communities around the world.
Distribution: Film Festivals and Educational Screenings
Film Festivals:
We submitted the “Space Torah” documentary to twenty-seven film festivals around the world. As we hear from them, we will update our website and Facebook page.
Due to Covid-19, Some festivals are virtual this year, which will allow viewers from all over the world to see our film. Stay tuned for more information.
Educational Screenings:
We are now booking screenings for communities, schools and organizations from around the country and the world. If you would like to show our film and or add a program with Rachel Raz, please be in touch with us by sending an email to Rachel Raz, Executive Producer and Educator, spacetorah@gmail.com.
Space Torah at the Short Documentary Film Festival
September 2020
We are excited to share that the Space Torah documentary film was selected to be featured at the Los Angeles/Toronto Short Documentary Film Festival. In the following video, you will hear some of the viewers and their comments about the film.
Virtual Private Premiere
September 15, 2020
In celebration of the completion of the film, on September 15th we held a virtual premier with over 200 participants. In this Zoom recording you will see Rachel Raz (Executive Producer), Dr. Jeff Hoffman (NASA astronaut), Rob Cooper (Director), and many others. This video recording does NOT include the film itself.
SPACE, STAMPS and SHABBAT
Tuesday, June 9th, 2020
A Zoom recording of an event by the Judaica Thematic Society (UK) and the Space Torah Project.
Hosted by:
Gary Goodman founder, the Judaica Thematic Society and Rachel Raz, Executive Producer, Space Torah.
With David Ball , Gregg Philipson and Dr. Jeff Hoffman
Limited Edition Space Torah Commemorative Stamps
New! Limited Edition (200) Space Torah Commemorative Israeli stamps are now available. All proceeds will support the Space Torah Project.
To order: Please contact Rachel Raz at spacetorah@gmail.com.
Commemorative Israeli stamps in blue Folder: $100
Signed Commemorative stamps by Dr. Jeff Hoffman: $360
To learn more about the stamps and the project read article at CollectSpace.com
From Sinai to Outer Space: A Jewish Journey in Space
Thursday, May 14, 2020 11:00am EDT (6:00pm Israel) via Zoom
Download the flyer for this event HERE.
Updates from Producers Rob and Pam Cooper
APRIL 2020
From fundraising to end of production phase to post production and completion, get the latest on this project.
Torah in Orbit: Jewish Journeys in Space
Join Astronaut Jeff Hoffman and Executive Producer Rachel Raz in Hollywood Florida, Friday, December 6th, 2019 at the Israeli-American Council Summit (IAC)
https://www.israeliamerican.org/summit
What does it mean to be a Jew in the “Space Age”? How do we stay connected to Judaism when we’re “off-world”? Astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman has thought about these questions and more. As the first Jewish-American man in space he took a Torah made for travelers with him onto the Columbia space shuttle. Join educator Rachel Raz and IAC Eitanim student Tal Keshet in a conversation with Dr. Hoffman, discussing how to adapt Jewish rituals for leaving Earth, how Jews have traditionally dealt with religion on the road, and where the Jewish journey may take us next.
Blog Post: The Times of Israel
Jews and Judaism in Outer Space
“Can you imagine celebrating Rosh Hashanah in outer space? How about Hanukkah, Passover or Shabbat? What do you think it might look like to do so?
Living Jewishly in outer space is not just an aspirational futuristic goal. MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics professor Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman grappled with these questions more than 40 years ago when he first began his journey to become a NASA astronaut.”
Read more:https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/jews-and-judaism-in-outer-space/
Sharing the Story with the Wider Community
“A Torah Turning in Orbit: A Jewish Journey in Space.” On November 8, 2018 we hosted a conversation with Jeff Hoffman, Rabbi Osadchey and Rachel Raz, at Temple Emanuel in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. For Jeff and Rabbi Osadchey, this was a reunion after not seeing each other for over a decade. The goal of the conversation was to provide an opportunity for people to hear their story in person and ask questions. The event was in collaboration with Temple Emunah of Lexington, Massachusetts.
Rachel Raz and Jeff Hoffman’s conversation was broadcast on November 11, 2018 as part of the Global Day of Jewish Learning: On Air in a video segment entitled, “Torah in Orbit: Jewish Journey in Space.”
Spring 2018: Space Torah Newsletter
Get up-to-date with everything that has been…and will be going on with the project heading into summer.
“From Sinai to Outer Space” | Rachel’s Article in eJewish Philanthropy
Read Rachel’s reflections about the Space Torah around Shavuot
