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
More than 400 years ago, Rivka Tiktiner wrote the earliest known full-length published work by a Jewish woman. She also created a Simchat Torah poem that reveals how women helped prepare Torah scrolls for the holiday in Prague. For Simchat Torah, Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner revisit Rivka Tiktiner’s extraordinary learning, the evolution of Jewish customs, and whether it makes sense to call this mysterious historical figure a feminist.
Here’s a link to the full episode on Rivka Tiktiner: The First Jewish Woman to Publish a Book.
Here is a link to our episode on Ray Frank, mentioned in the episode:
Here is the episode submitted to the Signal Awards for this year’s competition. The First Jews in the Americas, Fleeing the Inquisition.
Jewish History Nerds is a is a Signal Awards finalist in the history category.
As a reminder, please vote for Jewish History Nerds Listener’s Choice award by Thursday October 15. Just login and search for the show to cast your ballot. And please spread the word by sharing this link: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history
Be in touch. Write to us at nerds@unpacked.media.
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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Borderlines with That Semite
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
Wondering Jews
