hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textEp. 285 – Influential Origins: Preserving Memory Across Generations Host: Alan Mindel Guest: Esther Finder, Generations of the Shoah International (GSI) Produced by: hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this powerful episode of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel sits down with Esther Finder, a second-generation Holocaust survivor and founder of Generations of the Shoah International (GSI), to explore how memory, education, and intergenerational dialogue keep the lessons of the Holocaust alive.Finder shares the remarkable survival stories of her parents from the ghettos and camps of Poland, her father’s 12-camp journey documented by the Shoah Foundation, and her mother’s untold trauma that shaped her own path toward Holocaust education and psychology. She discusses how JSI unites survivors and descendants across the world, and how educators must now prepare 2Gs and 3Gs to carry the torch as the survivor generation fades.The conversation delves into the misuse of terms like genocide, the dangers of propaganda, and the enduring relevance of Holocaust lessons in an age of distortion and division. With candor and conviction, Finder reminds us that remembrance is not just about the past — it’s a call to recognize our common humanity and defend truth wherever it’s under attack.🎧 A deeply personal and essential episode on preserving memory, fostering empathy, and standing up for truth.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 284: Humanity in the Arts (Part 2) Hosted by Ranelle Wolf with Guest Gertrude Borchardt on hmTvIn Part 2 of Humanity in the Arts, host Ranelle Wolf continues her riveting conversation with curator and art historian Gertrude Borchardt, diving deeper into the spiritual and moral dimensions of art — from Salvador Dalí’s Aliyah: The Rebirth of Israel* to the role of abstraction in healing a post-war world.Borchardt unpacks the myths surrounding Dalí’s alleged antisemitism, revealing a far more complex and empathetic artist whose Aliyah series radiates love, redemption, and faith. Together, Ranelle and Gertrude explore how art transcends politics, why abstraction emerged from the trauma of the 20th century, and how true education begins with learning to see — not just to look.The episode culminates with a visionary discussion: what would a modern exhibition of Judeo-Christian values look like today? Borchardt imagines a spiritual, timeless show that could reawaken compassion, curiosity, and connection across generations.🎙️ A profound exploration of art as the language of humanity, recorded at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 283: Humanity in the Arts (Part 1) Hosted by Ranelle Wolf with Guest Gertrude Borchardt on hmTvIn this illuminating episode of Humanity in the Arts, host Ranelle Wolf welcomes art historian and curator Gertrude Borchardt for a conversation recorded at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. Together, they explore the powerful story behind Salvador Dalí’s rarely seen series Aliyah: The Rebirth of Israel — a moving collection that captures themes of displacement, homecoming, and faith.Borchardt shares the behind-the-scenes journey of curating the exhibition with Dr. Charlie Riley, the research that uncovered Dalí’s biblical sequence, and the fascinating history of how the collection came to life. The discussion expands into the deeper question of how art can preserve moral and spiritual values, inspire critical thought, and restore unity in an age of division.A profound dialogue on art, faith, and humanity — reminding us that curation itself can be an act of conscience.🎙️ Recorded at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County. 📍 Part 1 of a two-part conversation.Support the show

Send us a textEp 282: “Putting the Brakes on Bullying” with Samantha Sosnik and guest Lauri ReganIn this powerful and deeply relevant episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying on hmTv, host Samantha Sosnik sits down with Lauri Regan, Vice President and Treasurer of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, for an unflinching conversation about bullying, antisemitism, and the erosion of moral clarity in education.Together, they explore how antisemitic narratives have crept into K–12 classrooms, universities, and even teacher training programs — shaping how young people think about Israel, identity, and truth itself. Lauri shares personal stories, national case studies, and actionable ways parents, educators, and communities can stand up against bias, misinformation, and intimidation in schools.This episode also reflects on the emotional day when twenty hostages returned to Israel, offering a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit amid hatred and division.➡️ Key Topics:The rise of antisemitic bullying in K–12 and higher educationThe influence of biased curricula and radicalized teachersHow parents and communities can push back through advocacy, legal action, and truth-based educationThe connection between classroom indoctrination and global antisemitic movementsThe moral and emotional impact of October 7th and its aftermathA vital conversation for anyone who believes that education should enlighten, not divide.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 281: History Repeats Guest: Richard Acritelli Host: Liam Carballal Network: hmTvIn this cinematic edition of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal and historian Richard Acritelli trade battlefields for box offices as they explore how Hollywood brings history to life—and sometimes bends it.From the Civil War heroism of Glory to the Depression-era grit of Road to Perdition, the tactical brilliance of Patton, the nuclear tension of Thirteen Days, and the unforgettable realism of Saving Private Ryan, the duo dives into what these films got right, what they exaggerated, and why their stories still matter.Acritelli and Carballal connect each film to its real historical roots—examining leadership, morality, race, courage, and the fine line between cinematic storytelling and factual truth. With passion, humor, and sharp insight, they remind listeners that history doesn’t just repeat—it also replays on screen.🎬 Join Liam and Richard for Episode 281 of “History Repeats” on hmTv—where film meets fact, and the past still has a few scenes left to shoot.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 279: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers, FDNY Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn the powerful conclusion of this three-part conversation, Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the FDNY returns to The Fog of War and Humanity with host Richard Acritelli for a deeply human reflection on the enduring legacy of 9/11 and a lifetime of service.Chief Meyers opens up about the memories that still surface decades later—the friends lost, the funerals attended, and the haunting moments at Ground Zero. He honors fallen colleagues like his college roommate Derell “Bronco” Pearce, whose name lives on at LIU’s football field, and discusses how the FDNY rebuilt itself in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.The episode moves from tragedy to resilience, exploring the department’s transformation since 9/11, the camaraderie of firefighters and military veterans, and the family legacy that spans more than a century of service. Meyers also shares the emotional realities behind the uniform—PTSD, healing, humor, and hope—and how today’s generation carries the torch of those who ran toward danger.A conversation that reminds us why “never forget” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a responsibility.🔥 Listen to Episode 279 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv—real stories of courage, loss, and the strength to keep serving.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 280: History Repeats Guest: Richard Acritelli Host: Liam Carballal Network: hmTvIn this thought-provoking episode of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal sits down once again with historian and educator Richard Acritelli to explore the global implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine — and how the past continues to echo through today’s headlines.Now entering its fourth year, the war has become a grim study in power, propaganda, and persistence. Acritelli and Carballal unpack Vladimir Putin’s political strategy, the resilience of Ukraine’s military, and how modern drone warfare has reshaped the battlefield. They connect these current events to history’s familiar lessons — from the collapse of empires to revolutions that began when leaders lost touch with their people.Drawing parallels to the Russian Revolution, World War II, and the Cold War, the conversation digs deep into how authoritarian regimes sustain themselves—and how they ultimately crumble. Acritelli also reflects on the West’s role, the growing unity of NATO, and why strength—not appeasement—remains the only language despots understand.A timely, riveting discussion on leadership, lessons from the past, and the dangerous repetition of history when humanity forgets.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 277: The Fog of War and Humanity with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers (Part 1) Hosted by Richard Acritelli on hmTvIn this compelling episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the New York City Fire Department to explore a lifetime of courage, discipline, and service.From his roots in Levittown, growing up in a household shaped by military and firefighting tradition, to his early days navigating the crack-era streets of Brooklyn, Meyers reflects on the lessons that forged his leadership and character. With honesty and humor, he discusses the teamwork, danger, and purpose that define life in the FDNY—and the unbreakable brotherhood that binds those who run toward chaos when others run away.Listeners will gain an inside look at how sports, service, and sacrifice intersect in one man’s journey through three decades of New York’s most demanding profession.🎙️ A conversation about resilience, family, and the human spirit behind the badge.Listen now to Episode 277 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv — Part 1 of a powerful two-part series with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 278: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers, FDNY Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn this gripping continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli speaks with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the New York City Fire Department—a veteran firefighter whose story spans from the streets of East New York to the devastation of Ground Zero.Chief Meyers recounts his early years battling fires in Brooklyn during the height of the 1990s drug epidemic, his transition to Rescue 4 in Queens, and the leadership lessons that shaped his decades of service. But it’s his firsthand account of September 11, 2001 that defines this powerful episode.From watching the attacks unfold with his infant daughter to racing into Manhattan and working amid the ruins of the World Trade Center, Meyers describes the chaos, courage, and heartbreak of that day with searing honesty. He shares the loss of friends, the uncertainty of searching for his own father and brothers—both also at the site—and the lasting toll of 9/11 on the FDNY family.A raw and moving conversation about duty, brotherhood, and humanity in the face of unimaginable tragedy—and a reminder that heroes don’t run from danger; they run toward it.🚒 Watch now on hmTv—real stories of courage, leadership, and the human spirit.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 276 – Legacy Chronicles: The Story of Survival and LoveHosted by Zachary Graulich | Guest: Evelyn Drieves | Produced by hmTv at HMTCIn this deeply moving episode of Legacy Chronicles, Evelyn Altenberg, the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, sits down with Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, to share her parents’ extraordinary story of survival, love, and resilience.Born in Berlin and separated by war, Evelyn’s parents endured opposite fates—her father escaping to the Dominican Republic after securing a place aboard a cargo ship, and her mother enduring three years in nine concentration camps, including Auschwitz, where she was tattooed and forced into slave labor. Against all odds, they reunited six years later, married, and built a new life of joy, music, and family.Evelyn reflects on growing up in Washington Heights among Holocaust survivors, what it means to carry her parents’ legacy as a second-generation witness, and how she now shares their story with students across the country to ensure that the truth is never forgotten.A powerful conversation about memory, education, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.🎧 Listen on hmTv and hmtcli.org — because remembrance is the bridge between tragedy and hope.Support the show