hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us Fan MailIn Ep 398 (Part 2) of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with U.S. Army veteran Donna Zephyrin, tracing her path from the Army Reserve to active duty in Savannah, Georgia, and into the earliest phase of the Iraq War. Donna describes the sharp culture shift between Reserve and active duty life, the demands of daily military discipline, and the realities of preparing for combat deployment.From flying into Kuwait to crossing into Iraq at the start of the invasion, Donna shares what it felt like to move with a convoy into the unknown, where sleep was scarce, threats were everywhere, and trust had to be earned in real time. She explains the day-to-day pressures of keeping vehicles mission-ready under harsh conditions, repairing tires and batteries in sand and heat, and working while under fire. The episode also captures the emotional toll of early casualties, the role of faith and military chaplains in maintaining steadiness, and the sobering memorials that reminded troops what was at stake. The conversation ends with a gripping setup for Part 3, as Donna and Richard turn toward Garma, a “hot spot” where attacks were frequent and the fog of war closed in even tighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Part 1 of Ep 397 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli welcomes U.S. Army veteran Donna Zephyrin for a wide-ranging conversation that begins long before the War on Terror. Donna reflects on her upbringing, her early leadership and service through JROTC, and how navigating learning disabilities helped shape her work ethic, resilience, and drive to overachieve. She shares the mentors who believed in her, the path from SUNY studies to the Army Reserve, and the intense, unforgettable moments of basic training and AIT, including the gas chamber, weapons qualification, and becoming a 63 Bravo mechanic working on Humvees and heavy vehicles.The episode also offers a personal look at balancing military life with college and multiple jobs, coping with the loss of her father to cancer, and the day her world shifted forever: September 11, 2001, when she was at her reserve unit completing a PT test and was ordered to stay as the crisis unfolded. Grounded, candid, and deeply human, this first installment sets the stage for a deeper discussion in Part 2 about Donna’s service-era experiences and what the fog of war demands from those who live it.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Ep 396 of The Past Has an Afterlife on hmTv, host Gilad Avrahami sits down with HMTC receptionist Tara Collins for a raw, deeply human conversation about memory, family history, and the ways the past continues to echo through our lives. Tara shares how Holocaust survivor stories shaped her understanding of resilience and forgiveness, then traces her own lineage through Irish political turmoil and centuries-old persecution of “wise women” during the witch hunts. With honesty and humor, she reflects on generational trauma, addiction in her family, hard-earned survival, and the choice to heal without becoming hardened. At its heart, this episode explores a simple but powerful idea: remembrance matters, and love, in all its forms, can be the antidote to hate.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Description (Ep 395 – The Israeli Bond | hmTv)In this powerful episode of The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with Itay Cohen, a Shinshin (Shnat Sherut gap-year volunteer) serving with the Randy Wolba-Melinski Center for Israel delegation at the C. Jacob Solomon JCC on Long Island.Itay shares what it was like growing up in Kfar Saba, a liberal Israeli city surrounded by neighboring Arab towns, where coexistence was part of everyday life through school programs, friendships, and community interaction. He reflects on the “bubble” of normalcy he lived in before October 7 and how that changed overnight.Through an honest and emotional conversation, Itay recounts his personal experience on October 7, the shock of waking up to the news, and the way fear and trust shifted across Israeli society, even far from the Gaza border. He also speaks about volunteering, national unity, and the complicated process of rebuilding confidence while still living side by side.This episode is an authentic look at what October 7 meant to a young Israeli who grew up believing in living together, and how that belief is being tested, reshaped, and slowly rebuilt.If you’re interested in connecting with the Center for Israel delegation, contact: RCFIDirector@sjjcc.org🎧 Like, share, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of The Israeli Bond and other hmTv podcasts.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Part 2 of The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen welcomes back Aviv Lapid for a deeply personal continuation of her story. Aviv takes us minute by minute through the morning of October 7 in Sderot, when a routine red alert turned into something unimaginable, terrorists inside the city, constant rockets, and a terrifying realization that even the safe room did not feel safe anymore.Aviv shares what it meant to leave home without knowing it might be for years, the fear of escaping on roads that did not feel secure, and the emotional whiplash of becoming displaced overnight. She also opens up about the long aftermath, rebuilding life in central Israel, losing two months of school, choosing a “normal routine” to finish high school, and carrying the pressure of exams and expectations while navigating trauma that most teenagers should never have to face.The episode closes with a few lighter rapid fire questions (including cheesecake for the lactose intolerant, and a clear vote for Purim over Halloween), but the heart of this conversation is about resilience, identity, and what “home” means when home is no longer simple.Listen to both parts for the full picture of Aviv’s journey, from growing up under rockets to rebuilding life after October 7.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Description (Ep 393 | The Israeli Bond | Part 1) Host: Gal Swisa Cohen Guest: Aviv Lapid hmTv | Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance CenterWhat does it mean to grow up with only 15 seconds to find shelter?In this powerful episode of The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with Aviv Lapid, a Shinshin (Shnat Sherut volunteer) with the Randy Wolbon Melinsky Center for Israel Delegation at the C. Jacobson JCC, for an unforgettable conversation about life in Sderot, the Israeli city closest to the Gaza Strip.Aviv shares what it was like being born into a reality of constant rocket attacks, “Tzeva Adom” (Code Red) alerts, and living between wars and ceasefires. She offers a deeply personal look at resilience, community, and the Zionist values that brought her family to Sderot in the first place, even as the danger intensified over the years.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In Part 2, Aviv and Gal will discuss October 7 and how it changed everything.Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations on hmTv.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Legacy Chronicles Episode 392, host Zachary Graulich welcomes Doron Keren, a second-generation Holocaust descendant carrying his family’s story forward with urgency and purpose. Doron shares the extraordinary survival of his grandfather Ignacy Heger, who led his family into the sewers of Nazi-occupied Lviv for fourteen months, aided by Polish sewer worker Leopold Socha. Doron also reflects on his mother Krystyna Chiger’s memoir The Girl in the Green Sweater and the powerful impact of watching a survivor relive trauma in order to teach others.This conversation explores what it means to inherit memory, how responsibility becomes duty as survivors become fewer, and why firsthand family testimony is one of the strongest answers to denial and distortion. Doron also explains the striking differences between telling the same events through a child’s eyes versus an adult architect of survival, and why publishing Beneath the Lightless Sky in English is a “full-circle” milestone. The episode closes with what comes next: public talks, community education, and Doron’s long-term goal of adapting the memoir into a TV series.To learn more about Doron’s family story, read The Girl in the Green Sweater and Beneath the Lightless Sky, and visit hmtcli.org for more episodes of Legacy Chronicles.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Description (Ep 391: The Butterfly Effect | hmTv)In this thoughtful episode of The Butterfly Effect on hmTv, host Gilad Avrahami is joined by co-host Bernie Furshpan for a powerful conversation about how the choices of the past shape the realities of the present. Together, they explore the “ripple effects” of decisions, memory, and lived experience, and how meaning is formed over time through reflection and awareness.Bernie shares personal insights into his father’s Holocaust survival story and how courage, kindness, and moral strength can echo across generations. Gilad and Bernie also examine whether we are truly conscious of our decisions, or whether much of life is shaped unconsciously by environment, upbringing, and the influences around us.This episode connects philosophy with real-life purpose, tying the Butterfly Effect directly to the mission of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center: helping young people recognize their impact, make principled choices, and create positive ripples in the world.A meaningful, inspiring dialogue about history, humanity, responsibility, and the extraordinary power of small choices.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Description (Ep 390 – The Dana Download | hmTv)In this episode of The Dana Download, host Dana Arschin Kraslow sits down with Cori Cohen, founder of My Abroad MDs, a proactive healthcare platform created to help American travelers and students studying abroad connect with trusted, English-speaking doctors worldwide.Cori shares the deeply personal inspiration behind her mission, rooted in family, Jewish values, and the powerful idea of always “showing up” for others. What began as a protective list for her daughter’s study abroad experience evolved into a growing international network designed to prevent panic and empower travelers with preparedness before they even leave home.Together, Dana and Cori explore:The real challenges of getting sick abroad and why being prepared mattersHow My Abroad MDs works (curated doctor directories, memberships, and support)The difference between reactive emergency care and proactive travel healthcareSelf-pay vs. insurance realities overseas, including tips travelers should knowCori’s entrepreneurial journey, including how AI and interns helped scale the platformA moving reflection on family and the moments that change the way we see the worldThis conversation is informative, heartfelt, and filled with practical wisdom for anyone who travels, has children studying abroad, or simply believes that peace of mind is part of good health.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 389 of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Lisa Zaretsky, founder of the Zaretsky Wellness Center and a deeply trained clinician and educator with advanced expertise spanning education, social work, and cognitive science. Together they explore what “wellness” really means beyond buzzwords, why the subconscious mind drives so much of our behavior, and how patterns like anxiety, avoidance, and inherited family beliefs can keep people stuck in loops.The conversation takes a powerful turn as Bernie reflects on being a second-generation Holocaust survivor and asks how intergenerational trauma is passed down, even when families stay silent. Lisa explains trauma through a systems-based lens, discussing epigenetics, family dynamics, meaning-making, and therapeutic approaches that target root causes, including hypnotherapy and Rapid Transformational Therapy. She also unpacks neurodiversity and twice-exceptionality, challenging narrow definitions of “normal” and advocating for strength-based, psychologically safe learning environments.The episode closes with a timely message for young people facing rising intolerance and antisemitism: empathy requires connection, not polarity, and healing is strengthened through identity, purpose, and acts of service.Support the show