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Send us a textEp. 341: The Fog of War and Humanity with Angel Flores (Part 2)In this deeply revealing continuation of Angel Flores’ story, host Richard Acritelli guides listeners into the emotional terrain that follows a Marine long after the battlefield goes quiet.In Part 2, Angel reflects on the lasting impact of his deployment to Iraq—the brotherhood that sustains him, the silence many veterans carry, and the often invisible battles that follow them home. He opens up about returning from war, the struggle to drive without reliving the desert, and the unexpected healing found in helping other service members as they deploy and return.Angel also speaks candidly about veteran mental health, the stigma around seeking help, and the heartbreaking reality of losing fellow Marines to suicide. His honesty cuts through the noise and sheds light on why community, conversation, and compassion remain critical lifelines for those who served.This is an unfiltered look at life after war—raw, real, and profoundly human. A must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the cost of service and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.Part 3 will continue the conversation.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 339: Echoes of the Past with Gilda ZirinskyIn this powerful episode of Echoes of the Past, host Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, sits down with Holocaust survivor and newly published author Gilda Zirinsky for an unforgettable conversation.Gilda takes listeners on an extraordinary journey—from her childhood in Liège, Belgium, through the terror of the Nazi invasion, to her family’s desperate flight across France, and the miraculous reunions and acts of courage that carried them to safety. She shares vivid memories of crowded trains, strangers who risked everything to help, and the remarkable captain who rescued hundreds of refugees aboard a banana boat bound for Casablanca.With honesty, clarity, and deep emotional resonance, Gilda reflects on resilience, family, and the will to survive. Her new memoir, I Went to Kindergarten in Casablanca, expands on this incredible story and stands as a testament to hope and the human spirit.This episode is more than history—it’s a reminder of why testimony matters and why the next generation must continue to listen.Tune in, be moved, and carry these lessons forward.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 340: The Fog of War and Humanity with Angel Flores (Part 1)In this gripping first installment, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Angel Flores, a U.S. Marine whose life changed forever on the eve of 9/11 and during the opening days of the Iraq War.Angel shares his story from humble beginnings in Rosedale, Queens, to enlisting in the Marine Corps just days before the attacks on the World Trade Center—attacks he witnessed from his own front porch. He walks listeners through the intense emotions of training at Parris Island immediately after 9/11, the rapid deployment to Kuwait, and the push into Iraq as one of the first Marines on the ground.With honesty and striking clarity, Angel describes the early days of the invasion, his role in processing prisoners of war, and the complex human realities he encountered—men who spoke multiple languages, carried unexpected stories, and revealed the tangled layers of a nation in collapse.This episode is raw, reflective, and deeply human. Angel’s courage, humor, and insight offer a powerful look at service, sacrifice, and the lasting impacts of war.Part 2 continues the conversation. Don’t miss it.Support the show

Send us a textLegacy Chronicles – Episode 338Guest: David First, Child of Holocaust Survivors Host: Zachary Graulic, Assistant Director of Education, HMTCIn this powerful and deeply personal episode of Legacy Chronicles, host Zachary Graulic sits down with David First, the son of two Holocaust survivors whose lives were marked by resilience, loss, and an unbreakable will to live.David shares the extraordinary survival stories of his parents—his mother, Sala, who evaded death by hiding in the forests of Belzec with the help of courageous local farmers, and his father, a Kraków native who endured the Kraków ghetto, Plaszów, Mauthausen, and St. Valentin before liberation. Their paths crossed in a DP camp in Bari, Italy, where David was born before the family immigrated to the United States.With honesty and vivid detail, David reflects on growing up as a child of survivors in New York, the unspoken trauma that shaped his home, and the moments—often later in life—that opened the door to hard truths and long-buried stories. He speaks about his journey to reclaim his family’s history through years of research at Yad Vashem, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and through unexpected connections with scholars and fellow second-generation survivors.Today, as a docent and active member of HMTC’s educational team, David is determined to ensure his family’s legacy—and the lessons of the Holocaust—live on. He discusses the responsibility of testimony, the urgency of Holocaust education in 2025, and the rising tide of global hatred that makes this work more important than ever.This episode is not just a conversation—it’s a reminder of how fragile memory can be, how vital it is to preserve it, and how one person’s story can illuminate the path for future generations.Listen in for a moving, candid, and unforgettable exploration of survival, identity, and the enduring power of truth.Support the show

Send us a textEp 337Many Voices, One Community Guest: Angelina Stanco StoneIn this heartfelt and deeply human episode, host Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews sits down with longtime community leader Angelina Stanco Stone for an intimate conversation about service, resilience, family, and the power of giving back.Angelina—known throughout Glen Cove and the North Shore for her work with veterans, schools, food drives, and elder care—opens up about the roots of her compassion, the values passed down from her parents, and the life experiences that shaped her into a quiet but unstoppable force for good. From growing up in a bustling home of eight children to spending more than 25 years advocating for seniors, to founding How Can I Help Elder Care, Angelina shares how staying grounded, staying positive, and staying connected to her faith guide her through both the joys and the challenges of life.Together, Gaitley and Angelina explore the meaning of community, the importance of lifting others up, and the impact one person can make—simply by showing up with heart, kindness, and humility.A moving conversation for anyone seeking inspiration, perspective, or a reminder that service—done quietly, consistently, and with love—can change the world.Many voices. One community. Countless ways to care.Support the show

Send us a textEp 336Many Voices, One Community Guest: Specialist Donna ZephrineIn this powerful and deeply moving episode, host Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews sits down with Specialist Donna Zephrine, a two-tour Iraq War veteran whose courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to service continue long after her military uniform came off.Donna shares her remarkable journey—from her childhood as the daughter of Trinidadian immigrants, to her years as a 63 Bravo in the United States Army, to the intense realities of deployment during the early invasion of Iraq. She opens up about the difficult transition home, the lasting impact of combat, and the strength it takes to rebuild a life after war.Yet this conversation is far from a story of struggle alone. Donna has become a powerful force for healing and hope on Long Island, engaging with countless organizations including the Joseph Dwyer Project, the VA adaptive sports program, Wounded Warrior Project, Team RWB, AMVETS, VFW, American Legion, and more. She also plays a key role in the 22 PTSD Awareness Challenge, honoring veterans lost to suicide and advocating for those still fighting silent battles.Donna and Gaitley also explore the role of faith in her healing journey, including her transformative experiences with Heroes to Heroes in Israel and Warriors to Lourdes in France—moments that helped restore strength, connection, and purpose.Authentic, emotional, and profoundly inspiring, this episode shines a light on the courage of one woman who continues to serve her nation by lifting others up.Many voices. One community. A story of service, struggle, and unbreakable hope.Support the show

Send us a textEp 335Many Voices, One Community Guest: Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy UniversityIn this inspiring episode, host Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews sits down with Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy University, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, creativity, faith-driven values, and the changing landscape of higher education on Long Island and beyond.Together, they explore Molloy’s remarkable 70-year journey—from its founding by the Sisters of St. Dominic to its evolution into one of the region’s fastest-growing universities. Dr. Lentini shares his path from award-winning classical guitarist and composer to university president, offering an inside look at how creativity and problem-solving shape his approach to academic leadership.The discussion moves through Molloy’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, ethical education, and its powerful relationship with the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center, where generations of Molloy nursing students have learned vital lessons about ethics, humanity, and responsibility.Listeners will also hear about Molloy’s nationally recognized CAP21 musical theatre program, its upcoming Carnegie Hall 70th Anniversary celebration, and a major collaborative event on the horizon with the Long Island Concert Orchestra, HMTC, and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.This episode is a reminder that when education, community values, and creativity come together, extraordinary things can happen.Many voices. One community. Endless possibilities.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 334The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen Guest: Liana Meirom Asif**In this powerful and eye-opening episode of The Israeli Bond, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with educator, community leader, and social innovator Liana Meirom Asif for an intimate conversation about Arab-Jewish identity—what it means, how it was shaped, and why it matters now more than ever.Liana shares her remarkable family story, beginning in the Jewish communities of Aleppo and Baghdad, where her grandparents lived as part of the Middle East long before the modern State of Israel. Through personal memories, historical context, and deeply moving reflections, she explores the complexity of being an “Arab Jew,” the cultural erasure many Mizrahi families experienced upon arriving in Israel, and the emotional journey of reclaiming pride in heritage.From her grandfather’s daring escape to Israel at age ten, to her mother’s struggle with cultural shame, to Liana’s own mission to restore dignity, tradition, and nuance to the Jewish story—this episode digs into identity, belonging, resilience, and the hidden chapters of Israeli society.Liana also discusses her leadership as Head of the Jewish Agency’s New York Delegation, where she worked to introduce American communities to the full tapestry of Israeli diversity, from Ethiopian traditions to Mizrahi culture and beyond.This episode is heartfelt, insightful, and unforgettable—an essential listen for anyone interested in Jewish history, Middle Eastern identity, and the complex mosaic of modern Israel.Tune in, learn, and connect with a story that challenges assumptions and celebrates the beauty of heritage.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 333 • The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen & Guest Lauren ChiznerIn this powerful episode of The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with longtime Jewish educator Lauren Chizner, Director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Sid Jacobson JCC. With nearly three decades of experience in synagogues, camps, and community leadership, Lauren offers a candid look at how Jewish education in America has evolved, the realities facing today’s families, and why nurturing Jewish identity, pride, and a meaningful connection to Israel is more essential than ever.Gal and Lauren dive into the big questions shaping Jewish life today:Why has after-school Jewish education shifted so dramatically?How do we build Jewish pride when kids only meet two hours a week?Can you have a strong Jewish identity without a connection to Israel?How did October 7th transform students, parents, and educators alike?From “flags and falafel” childhood memories to the complex conversations kids are now asking about war, hostages, and rising antisemitism, Lauren speaks honestly about the challenges—and the opportunities—facing the next generation.The episode closes with grounded, practical guidance for parents and caregivers seeking to help their children form a deeper bond with Israel, whether through travel, meaningful relationships, thoughtful media consumption, or community programs.This is an episode filled with insight, heart, and real talk about who we are as Jews—and how we pass that identity forward.Tune in, share with your community, and keep strengthening the bond.Support the show

Send us a textEp 332: Putting the Brakes on BullyingIn this powerful and eye-opening episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying, host Samantha Sosnik sits down with Bernie Furshpan for an unflinching conversation about the rising tide of cyberbullying and the real-world damage it leaves behind.Samantha shares disturbing recent stories involving body shaming, antisemitic harassment, and the targeting of students with special needs—all carried out behind the false safety of a screen. Bernie dives into the deeper issues: why young people feel emboldened online, how hateful language fuels real-world harm, and why silence from bystanders is often the most dangerous part of all.Together, they explore accountability, digital footprints, the failure of empathy, and the urgent need for parents, schools, and communities to step up. They also lay out practical steps for teens and adults to become upstanders, protect victims, and interrupt cycles of cruelty before they escalate.This is a candid, heartfelt, and at times blunt conversation—one that every parent, educator, and young person should hear. If you care about creating safer schools, healthier online spaces, and a future grounded in respect, this episode delivers both the wake-up call and the roadmap.Listen, learn, and take action. Even one good deed can change someone’s day—and maybe even their life.Support the show