hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textLegacy Chronicles – Ep. 231: “Second Generation, First Principles” Director of Education Donna Rosenblum sits down with HMTC docent Herb Grubman to explore what it means to be Second Generation—and why testimony can’t stop with the survivors. Through the lives of Herb’s parents—from Dęblin and Biała Podlaska to Siberian imprisonment, DP camps, and rebuilding in the Bronx—this episode traces trauma, resilience, and the quiet heroics of starting over. Expect vivid family stories (coal cars at age 12, the First Polish Army fighting to Berlin, summers in Far Rockaway rooming houses) and a candid look at raising children under the long shadow of war.Along the way, Donna and Herb dig into why authentic, primary-source storytelling matters now—amid misinformation, rising antisemitism, and curriculum overload—and how Second Gen voices can keep history accurate, human, and usable.Support the show

Send us a textEchoes of the Past – Ep. 230: “Day One: Reading 9/1/39” Assistant Director of Education Zachary Graulich sits down with longtime HMTC volunteer and second-generation survivor Meryl Menashe to unpack a powerful artifact she recently donated: a fragile Kansas City Times front page dated September 1, 1939—the day Germany invaded Poland. Through this single newspaper, they trace the lightning-fast timeline from the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact to the fall of Warsaw, explore how propaganda framed “living space” and “ethnic German protection,” and connect those headlines to lived experience—including Meryl’s father, Leon Beck, a Polish soldier captured, shot, and later imprisoned by the Soviets. It’s history in real time, and a masterclass in using primary sources to teach nuance, perspective, and media literacy.Along the way, Zach and Meryl examine the roles of perpetrators, victims, collaborators, and bystanders; the early terror from the Luftwaffe and precursors to Einsatzgruppen killings; and the jarring coexistence of war news with everyday ads, comics, and weather—then and now. If you teach, parent, or simply care about truth in an age of information overload, this episode hands you a ready-to-use lens for the classroom and beyond.In this episode you’ll learn:How a single 1939 newspaper captures the start of WWII and American perceptions that dayWhy the pact with the USSR made Poland a two-front tragedy—and how Blitzkrieg overwhelmed it in weeksA second-generation perspective: Leon Beck’s Polish Army service, capture, escape, and Soviet imprisonmentHow to use artifacts to teach source evaluation and competing narratives (then vs. now)The scale and distinction of suffering among Jews and Polish civilians, without flattening the historyPerfect for: educators, students, museum-goers, and anyone building critical thinking around history and media.Support the show

Send us a textEp 229 – Disrupting Hate with Ellen Kennedy and Bernie Furshpan On this episode of Disrupting Hate on hmTv, host Ken Schachter and co-host Bernie Furshpan sit down with Dr. Ellen Kennedy, founder and CEO of World Without Genocide. From her earliest childhood experiences of being “othered” to her groundbreaking work in human rights law, Ellen shares the journey that led her to build an organization dedicated to preventing genocide and protecting vulnerable communities.The conversation explores how the definition of genocide has evolved since 1948, the critical distinctions between genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and the impact of climate change as a force multiplier of violence. Ellen offers insights into international justice, the dangers of politicizing the word “genocide,” and the urgent need for grassroots action—starting in our neighborhoods—to disrupt discrimination and hate before it escalates.This episode is both sobering and hopeful, challenging us to recognize the interconnectedness of our world and inspiring us to envision what a true “world without genocide” could look like.Listen in to learn how each of us has the power to confront hate, foster empathy, and push humanity closer toward universal human rights.Support the show

Send us a textEp 228: Legacy Chronicles – Courage Untold: Jewish Resistance at AuschwitzIn this powerful episode of Legacy Chronicles on hmTv, host Donna Rosenblum sits down with Susan Katz, author of the play Courage Untold, and Allan E. Mallenbaum, founder of the Rosa Robota Foundation, to uncover a little-known story of Jewish resistance at Auschwitz.Together, they explore the bravery of Rosa Robota and three other young women who risked everything to smuggle gunpowder for the October 7, 1944 uprising—the only successful revolt inside Auschwitz. Allan shares his personal connection as Rosa’s cousin, while Susan reflects on her journey to bring the story to life on stage through interviews with survivors and witnesses.The conversation also highlights a new educational initiative developed by HMTC, Susan, and Allan: a curriculum package built around Courage Untold that brings Rosa’s story to AP Global classrooms across New York and beyond.This episode is a moving reminder that resistance during the Holocaust took many forms—armed, spiritual, and cultural—and that even in the darkest times, courage refused to be silenced.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 227 (Part 3) – The Fog of War and Humanity with Marcelle LeisIn the third part of this powerful series, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with Marcelle Leis, a 24-year veteran of the Air National Guard and current Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.Marcelle shares how the Joseph Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project inspired her post-military career and explains why peer-to-peer connections are life-saving for veterans struggling with trauma, PTSD, and reintegration. She reflects on the silence of past generations—from World War II to Vietnam—and the cultural shift now underway to view asking for help as a sign of strength, not weakness.The discussion also explores the challenges veterans face with the VA system, the impact of toxic exposures from Agent Orange to burn pits, and the importance of filing claims not only for individual care but to strengthen entire communities. With compassion and clarity, Marcelle emphasizes how local engagement, education, and advocacy can transform lives—and save them.This episode highlights both the ongoing struggles and the hope that comes when veterans are supported by those who understand their journey.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 226 (Part 2) – The Fog of War and Humanity with Marcelle LeisIn Part Two of this moving conversation, host Richard Acritelli continues with Marcelle Leis, a 24-year veteran of the Air National Guard and Suffolk County Veterans Services leader.Marcelle shares her experience deploying to Kuwait in the immediate aftermath of 9/11—one of the first groups of American service members sent overseas. She reflects on the numbness the nation felt, the challenges of leaving family behind, and the realities of serving under Force Protection Delta lockdown with limited communication and supplies.As First Sergeant, Marcelle focused on morale, checking on airmen who were still processing the trauma of 9/11 while adjusting to a new era of military service. She recalls the powerful support of her community back home, from her young children drawing daily flags to local schools sending messages of gratitude.This episode explores not only the shift in America’s military mission after 9/11, but also the enduring bond between service members, veterans, and first responders—and the way communities came together in the face of tragedy.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 225 (Part 1) – The Fog of War and Humanity with Marcelle LeisIn this first part of a powerful two-episode conversation, host Richard Acritelli speaks with Marcelle Leis, a 24-year Air National Guard veteran and leader with the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency.Marcelle shares her journey from growing up in Belmore, Long Island, to making the unexpected decision to enlist in the Air National Guard in 1989. She reflects on her early days at Lackland Air Force Base, the challenges of joining as a young woman at the end of the Cold War, and how teamwork, mentorship, and a sense of mission transformed what began as a search for college money into a lifelong career of service.Listeners will hear about Marcelle’s experiences at the Roslyn and Westhampton bases, her path into leadership as a First Sergeant, and the historical backdrop of the late 1980s and early 1990s—from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the shifting role of the U.S. military.This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where Marcelle opens up about 9/11, deployment to Kuwait, and her leadership journey supporting airmen through decades of conflict.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 224 – Ordinary Heroes with Dan MariaschinIn this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan welcomes Dan Mariaschin, CEO of B’nai B’rith International, for an in-depth conversation on combating antisemitism, defending human rights, and preserving Holocaust memory.Mariaschin shares his journey from a small Jewish community in New Hampshire to leading one of the world’s oldest Jewish organizations, founded in 1843 on the principle of helping those in need. Together, Bernie and Dan explore the “perfect storm” of modern antisemitism—social media disinformation, campus hostility, biased media, and global indifference—and the urgent strategies needed to counter it.They also discuss B’nai B’rith’s advocacy at the United Nations, its global reports on antisemitism, ongoing work in Holocaust restitution, and the moral responsibility to carry survivor stories forward. This episode is both a warning and a call to action: to stand firm, educate future generations, and fight for truth in an age of disinformation.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 222 – Raised by Survivors with Esther MullerIn this heartfelt and often humorous episode of Raised by Survivors, host Dr. Bernie Furshpan welcomes visionary educator, real estate leader, and fellow child of Holocaust survivors, Esther Muller, for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, memory, and the power of legacy.Together, they explore their shared roots—both born in Israel, raised in Brooklyn, and shaped by parents who endured the horrors of Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, and the emotional aftershocks of survival. Esther shares raw stories of her family’s journey: her mother’s courage, her father’s quiet strength, and the resilience that allowed her to build a meaningful life—and raise a son who now leads as CEO of The Gap.Packed with wit, wisdom, and powerful reflections, this episode reminds us that trauma doesn’t just echo—it also inspires. From matzo ball mishaps to sacred memories, Esther and Bernie show how humor, purpose, and moral courage can carry forward the stories that must never be forgotten.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 223 – Humanity in the Arts with Tobi RubensteinIn this inspiring episode of Humanity in the Arts, host Ranelle Wolf welcomes Tobi Rubenstein—rabbi, author, and fashion industry veteran—for a fascinating conversation on the fusion of faith and fashion. Known as the founder of The House of Faith and Fashion and author of The House of Faith and Fashion and Hot and Holy, Tobi shares how clothing, creativity, and Torah intersect to reveal beauty, dignity, and divine purpose.Together, Ranelle and Tobi explore the empowerment of women, the misunderstood role of modesty in Judaism, and how faith can transform fashion from vanity into spiritual expression. From Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis’s influence to biblical dress codes, from animal prints as divine design to modern interfaith collaborations, this episode highlights how creativity and spirituality can coexist and uplift.Listeners will be inspired to embrace their individuality, stop dimming their light, and see art, style, and faith as powerful tools for healing and empowerment.Support the show