Debunking Viral Claim About the Talmud and Minors
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Astronauts from the Tribe who reached the final frontier.
Nearly 700 people have made it to space, including some 20 Jews from various nations. These missions pioneered spacecraft maneuvering capabilities, satelite deployment technology, scientific experimentation in space, and groundbreaking achievements for the Jewish People and for all mankind.
Here are arguably four of the most significant Jewish astronauts: Boris Volynov, Judy Resnik, Ilan Ramon, and William Shatner.
Boris Volynov became the first Jewish person in history to blast into outer space.
Born in the Siberian city of Irkutsk in the former Soviet Union on December 18, 1934, Volynov’s family relocated to Prokopyevsk northeast of Kazakhstan in the early 1950s. His birthtown of Irkutsk was a major center of aircraft manufacturing in the post-war period and perhaps it was there that Volynov developed an interest in becoming a pilot. In 1953, he joined the Soviet Air Force and spent a number of years in military engineering academies training to become a pilot and achieved the rank of colonel. During his years of study, he was enrolled in the same class as the first Soviet cosmonauts and was well acquanted with Yuri Gargarin, the first human in space.
In 1960, Volynov was selected by the Soviet space program for specialized training as a cosmonaut and served as a backup crewman throughout the 1960s. In 1964 he was designated for the Voskhod 1 mission, but was replaced three days prior to launch, possibly because of his Jewish heritage. While equal under the law, Soviet Jews often faced systemic discrimination and marginalization.
When Volynov was finally selected to command the Soyuz 5 mission in December 1968, there was also a backlash. Just a few weeks prior to the launch sequence, General Nikolai Kamanin of the Soviet Air Force received letters from the Central Committee with an appeal: “Do not send Jews into space!”
Despite the challenges stemming from systemic antisemiitism within Soviet high command, Boris Volynov left Earth on January 15, 1969, just six months before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.
During the two day mission, Volynov managed to dock with Soyuz 4, which was the first time in human history that two crewed spacecraft docked while in orbit. Upon his return to Earth, Soyuz 5 experienced some technical malfunctions. Re-entry into the atmosphere was complicated by a failure of the spacecraft’s heat shield and braking system, which caused the module to lose control for a period of time.
But due to Volynov’s professionalism and his ability to remain calm in the face of danger, he managed to stabilize the spacecraft. Despite a partial deployment of the parachutes, Volynov managed to land safely on the planet. The mission’s difficulties did not take away from Volynov's place in history as the first Jewish cosmonaut. His role also symbolized the importance of ethnic and cultural diversity in space exploration, even though Soviet authorities largely downplayed his Jewish identity.
In the years that followed, Volynov continued to serve as a cosmonaut and spent 50 days in space aboard Salyut 1 (the world’s first space station) during the Soyuz 21 mission in 1976. He also contributed to training programs for future cosmonauts and played a key role in the development of Soviet space technology.
Though Volynov did not achieve the same level of fame as American astronauts, his achievements remain a significant part of the Soviet Union's space legacy. As a Jew working for the Soviet space program, Volynov defied the barriers imposed on him and many of his peers, providing inspiration to generations of Jews around the world. His contributions to the Soviet space program also helped pave the way for future Jewish astronauts and cosmonauts to break new ground in human spaceflight.
In 1984, Judy Resnik made history by becoming the first Jewish female astronaut (and second American female astronaut), a major milestone for both women and the Jewish community in the field of space exploration.
Born in Akron, Ohio on April 5, 1949, Resnik was the daughter of Jewish parents who had emigrated from Ukraine first to Mandatory Palestine during the 20s and then to the United States following the Hebron massacre of 1929. She grew up in a traditional Jewish home, studied at Hebrew school, and attended synagogue services on a regular basis.
As a child, Resnik was fascinated by the fields of engineering and science, showing an early aptitude for mathematics and technology. This interest in science led her to earn a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland, and later worked for RCA, one of the largest radio communications companies at the time, as a design enginner. An academic paper she wrote on special purpose integrated circuitry caught the attention of NASA.
In 1978, Judy Resnik was selected as one of the first six women to join NASA’s astronaut program, a groundbreaking achievement at the time. She stood out not only for her technical expertise but also for her strong dedication to science, technology, and exploration. Resnik's selection into NASA’s astronaut corps was part of a broader movement to include more women and minorities in space-related fields.
Her first space mission, STS-41-D, took place aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on its maiden voyage on August 30, 1984. During the mission, Resnik operated the shuttle’s robotic arm that was used for deploying satellites and conducted experiments related to life sciences. The mission was successful and Resnik’s contributions to space exploration demonstrated the technical skill and professionalism of women in space. Discovery returned to Earth on September 5 after spending six days in space.
Resnik’s second launch was on the ill-fated STS-51-L mission aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986. Tragically, 73 seconds after liftoff, the shuttle exploded. While much of the main cabin remained intact, all seven crew members would have been killed by the time the shuttle impacted the Atlantic Ocean at 207 mph (333 kph). Analysis of the shuttle debris seem to indicate that the emergency airpacks were activated after the explosion, likely by Resnik, meaning she was probably still alive and in the process of attempting to save her fellow crewmen prior to hitting the ocean surface.
The loss of Judy Resnik, at just 36 years old, was a devastating moment not only for NASA but for the United States, and the world. Resnik’s death was especially poignant for the Jewish community, as she had been a role model and source of pride for Jewish women around the globe.
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in January 1986
In the aftermath of the Challenger disaster, Resnik was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by the U.S. government and the Space Flight Medal by NASA. A number of landmarks, buildings, and schools in the U.S. were named in her honor, including in her hometown of Akron. Her legacy continues to inspire women and girls in the fields of science, technology and engineering. Judy Resnik’s contributions to the space program and her ultimate sacrifice continue to resonate within the American Jewish public and throughout the global scientific community.
Ilan Ramon became the first Israeli astronaut when he launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on January 16, 2003 as part of the STS-107 mission. Ramon’s journey was a milestone for the Jewish state and made Israel the 32nd country to reach the final frontier.
Born in Ramat Gan, Israel, on June 20, 1954, Ramon joined the Israeli Air Force shortly after graduating high school in 1972. After participating in the Yom Kippur War in an electronic warefare unit, Ramon became a fighter pilot by 1974. As a decorated officer, he participated in critical missions, including Israel’s famous 1981 airstrike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor. This was considered one of the most dangerous Israeli air missions of the 20th century and prevented Iraq from developping nuclear weapons, which would have been disastrous for Israel, the United States, and the wider region a decade later during the First Gulf War.
Ramon also served as a deputy squadran commander during Operation Peace for the Galilee (the First Lebanon War) in 1982. After attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering and electronics at Tel Aviv University in 1987, Ramon returned to the Air Force rising to the rank of colonel by the 1990s.
His military background and his passion for science led him to apply for a position with NASA, which selected him as a Payload Specialist in 1997. A year later Ramon, his wife Rona, and their four children relocated to Houston to begin astronaut school at the Johnson Space Center. After a rigorous training period, Ramon was selected to join the STS-107 team of American astronauts, which was a scientific mission focused on research in material science, biological studies, and Earth science.
Ramon’s flight was a moment of immense pride for Israel, a country that had long dreamed of achieving a prominent role in space exploration. Over a period of 16 days in space, the STS-107 team accomplished some 80 scientific experiments working night and day over two alternating shifts. Although not personally religious, Ilan Ramon became the first astronaut in history to request Kosher food, observe the Sabbath, and make kiddush while in space. He also had with him a microfiche copy of the Torah given to him by Israeli president Moshe Katzav and a dollar from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. He hung a mezzuzah on one of the portals of his capsule and famously pronounced the Shema Yisrael prayer as he passed over the skies of Jerusalem. In the words of Ilan Ramon, “I feel I am representing all Jews and all Israelis.”
As a son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, he carried with him a pencil drawing of a 16-year-old Jewish boy who died in Auschwitz that was entitled “Moon Landscape”, courtesy of Yad Vashem. He also had with him a miniature Torah scroll that was given to him by his professor of astrophysics Professor Yehoyachin Yosef, a survivor of Bergen-Belson, who received it as a gift from Rabbi Shimon Dasberg, chief rabbi of Amsterdam (who did not survive the war), while in the concentration camp in March 1944. The purpose and symbolism of bringing these objects into space was clear. From the ashes of the Holocaust, the Jewish people have not only rebuilt their ancient homeland into a modern nation-state, but one that has reached the space age! In the words of Ramon, “I am proof that despite all the horror we went through, we continue to move forward.”
Tragically, on February 1, 2003, during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over East Texas, killing all seven crew members including Ramon. The news of his death sent shockwaves throughout Israel and the world. The Ramon family established several projects to commemorate the life and legacy of their beloved Ilan. The Ramon Foundation was designed to promote space education amongst Israel’s youth. The Ilan Ramon International Space Conference was established to bring together space agencies and private space companies from around the world on an annual basis in Tel Aviv. The Mitzpe Ramon Visitor Center in the Negev features an audio-visual exhibit dedicated to the memory of Israel’s first astronaut while overlooking the Ramon Crater, one of the most Martian-like places on Earth. Several schools and institutions are also named in his honor as well as an international airport in the Eilat region.
Since Ramon’s tragic death, Israel has made further advancements in space and the next generation of Israeli space explorers and innovators have been inspired by Ramon. In 2019, SpaceIL, a private Israeli space company launched a locally produced lunar probe dubbed Bereshit (Genesis in Hebrew). While it successfully achieved lunar orbit, it lost control and crash landed on the moon’s surface, releasing a capsule of tardigrades, a lifeform that can potentially survive in the vacuum of space. A followup attempt at an Israeli soft landing on the Moon is currently underway with the development of Bereshit 2 that will include a lunar orbiter and two separate landers, scheduled to launch in 2025.
Eytan Stibbe
In terms of human spaceflight, Eytan Stibbe became the second Israeli astronaut in history and the first to visit the International Space Station in April 2022. Stibbe carried out 35 experiments on behalf of the Rakia mission in partnership with Axium Space, Space X, and NASA before safely returning to Earth after spending 17 days in orbit.
Last but not least is the author’s personal favorite and a fellow Montrealer…
William Shatner, best known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, launched to the edge of space on October 13, 2021 aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Although the suborbital flight only brought the movie star into space for 10 minutes, it dazzled international viewers to see “Captain Kirk” boldly go where no 90 year old man has gone before!
Born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Canada, Shatner’s early career was focused on acting, and he quickly became a household name as the charismatic captain of the USS Enterprise on the Star Trek TV series in the late 60s. Over the years, Star Trek became one of the most beloved science fiction franchises, inspiring generations of viewers with its optimistic vision of humanity's future in space.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin and Amazon, grew up watching Star Trek. Some of the world’s top innovators and design engineers who drew inspiration from the show’s depiction of future technology went on to create real life devices that resembled those from Star Trek. NASA’s first space shuttle was called “Enterprise” (the name of the spacecraft in the show). Motorola’s debut flip phone was called StarTac and resembled the Star Trek communicator or tricorder. Other technologies that may have been inspired from the show include video conferencing, universal translators, tablets, 3D printers, voice activation, tasers and stun guns, etc.
Shatner’s long time co-star, Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock on the show, was also Jewish and introduced viewers to the Vulcan salute. It was a hand gesture native to his alien home planet that he brought into the show from observing the Jewish priestly benedictions during holiday prayer services. While Shatner didn’t bring any overt Jewish symbolim to the show, he appreciates Jewish values, has visited Israel, and even established a therapeutic horse riding program for Israeli children with mental and physical disabilities.
Shatner’s 2021 flight on New Shepard brought his legacy of space exploration to real life. The brief suborbital flight took Shatner beyond the Karman line (the official boundary of space 100 km / 62 mi above sea level), where he experienced weightlessness, but was below the threshold of Low Earth Orbit, which is why gravity brought him down to Earth relatively quickly.
While aboard New Shepard, Shatner had an opportunity to see the curviture of the Earth contrasting the darkness of outer space with his own eyes. In doing so, he experienced what astronauts call “the overview effect”. When astronauts see our planet from space for the first time, they tend to experience intense emotions. Seeing the Earth against the blackness of space is a powerful event that often leads to a greater appreciation of our environment, the preciousness of life, and the oneness of humanity. After landing in the Texas desert and emerging from the capsule, he embraced CEO Jeff Bezos and said, “The moment you see the vulnerability of everything; it’s so small. This air, which is keeping us alive, is thinner than your skin. It’s a sliver; it’s immeasurably small when you think in terms of the universe.” His emotional response, expressing awe at the beauty and fragility of our planet, resonated deeply with viewers worldwide.
Shatner’s brief journey made him the oldest man to ever reach space. The widely publicized flight symbolized the increasing role of private companies in space tourism, where civilians, rather than trained astronauts, are able to experience space firsthand.
The contributions of Jewish pioneers to human spaceflight have been significant, whether as astronauts representing their countries of origin or as symbols of the collective human drive to venture into the cosmos. As humanity pushes the boundaries of space exploration to the Moon, Mars, and further destinations, stories of these Jews in orbit offer inspiration to the next generation. The journey of Jews to space represents not only technical achievements, but also human aspirations to break barriers, achieve greatness, and continue exploring the stars.
Great men but I do miss Mr Spock, real name Leonard Nimoy, born from Ukranian Jewish immigrants to America.
Boris Volynov!
What a hero!
Boris! Boris! Boris!
There are several more Jewish astronauts that you did not mention (including Ellen Baker, Jeffrey Hoffman, David Wolf and others) Why limit your discussion to only these?
If you are looking at fictional TV characters such as Captain Kirk, you might mention Leonard Nemoy, who acted as Mr. Spock in Star Trek. Though not observant, he did contribute the hand-signal he used, copied from the Jewish Kohen / priestly blessing.
The is a third Jewish guy from Star Trek the guy with the Russian accent was actually Jewish too
I don't remember the actor's name but the character is Chekov, who is a Russian national. He was introduced during the show's second season.
Nemoy is mentioned in the article and credited with the "live long and prosper" hand sign.
People can make a movie Jews in space, what do you find in space anyway, is there aliens or not what does Judaism say about the question