Jews are sometimes known as “the people of the book” – but sometimes that book is not a religious text but a science fiction or fantasy novel that’s worthy of Jewish discussion. Just ask Rabbi Josh Breindel.

Breindel, who has been with Congregation Beth El in Sudbury since 2018, leads the Jewish Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Club as well as ongoing classes on Jewish science fiction at Lehrhaus, a Jewish pub in Somerville.

Breindel and his wife, Stephanie Bennett, are longtime fans of fantasy and science fiction. They founded the book club during the pandemic as, “just another way of giving people an opportunity to connect with one another when we were feeling really isolated, to tap into some of that creative energy and a sense of excitement, wonder, and adventure when we were all sitting in our own homes,” he said. The group now meets about once a month on Zoom.

The fantasy and science fiction genre owes much of its best-known work to Jewish writers, including William Goldman (“The Princess Bride”), Stanislaw Lem (“The Cyberiad”), Michael Chabon (“Gentlemen of the Road,” “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union”), and Isaac Asimov (too many books to name), along with Marvel comics legend Stan Lee (born Stanley Lieber). Those are some of the writers that participants discuss at the book club.

Breindel’s parents are big fans of science fiction, so he was exposed to the classics from an early age. One of his earliest memories is seeing “Star Wars.” “I felt profound awe, power, energy, and meaning … something was unfolding that I didn’t fully understand,” he said.

“As I got older and began to find my own way spiritually in the world, I became aware of how many Jewish authors and artists and actors and directors were shaping American sci-fi,” he said. “Sometimes there are direct references to Jewish life and culture; other times, it’s more guarded or implicit. But I began to sense that sci-fi in some ways is a modern form of midrash – a Jewish creative impulse that explores that ancient question: What does it mean to be human, and what changes because of our situation and what remains universal?”

Growing up, Breindel’s fantasy/sci-fi favorites included “Dune,” Asimov’s “Robot” and “Foundation” series, Harry Harrison’s “Stainless Steel Rat” books, “Starship Troopers” by Robert Heinlein – “That’s a work that really challenges me philosophically,” he said – and of course the “Star Trek” TV show and movies. His family even had a cat called Tribble – a furry creature on “Star Trek” – “because she would curl into a ball and purr,” he said.

Like many fans, he immediately identified with Spock’s outsider status as a Vulcan. This was drawn partly from actor Leonard Nimoy’s Jewish background, including the “live long and prosper” hand gesture – a riff on the ancient priestly blessing.

Earlier this year, Breindel taught a sold-out class at Lehrhaus on “Robots at the Seder: Passover and the Exodus in Science Fiction” and another that explored rabbinic and Kabbalistic texts on crafting a golem (an artificial human being). This fall, he began an ongoing series on “Jewish Themes in Fantasy and Sci-Fi: In the Beginning.” His next class, on Nov. 24, is “Jewish Themes in Fantasy and Sci-Fi: Magic Meals,” which will explore stories at the intersection of food and fantasy, including a lighthearted yet adult story of a haunted kugel.

“Rabbi Josh Breindel is an absolute gem of a person and has become a true asset to the Lehrhaus community. His monthly Jewish sci-fi class sells out every time, and he often has many returning learners who have started to develop a community who look forward to seeing each other,” said Molly Shuman, assistant director of Lehrhaus. “Beyond his warmth and kindness, his ability to lead a room while also making each person feel valued is a gift. We are honored to have Josh continue to offer classes at Lehrhaus and only wish we could have him here more often.”

In addition to being a rabbi in a synagogue and the “Sci-Fi Rabbi,” as he’s known to some, Breindel is also “The Rabbi on the Radio,” when he offers reflections and music on “Chagigah Radio,” a weekly show on WERS 88.9 FM in Boston. Sci-fi references sometimes work their way into his sermons as well. “It’s a way to bring in a little humor and a little wink, at the same time as offering some profound teaching, too,” he said. Θ

The Lehrhaus is located at 425 Washington St., Somerville. For information, visit www.lehr.haus or call 617-249-4190.