hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us Fan MailEpisode 213: Humanity in the Arts with Ranelle Wolf and guest Janet Lust Ganes (Part 1)In this powerful episode of Humanity in the Arts on hmTv, host Ranelle Wolf sits down with artist and educator Janet Lust Ganes to explore the intersection of creativity, remembrance, and healing. Janet shares the deeply personal story behind her exhibition Lest We Forget: Stories of Hope, Resistance, and Survival, a body of work inspired by her mother’s survival of the Holocaust and her later-life journey as a self-taught sculptor.Together, they reflect on how art can be a vessel for memory, a means of processing trauma, and a bridge between generations. Janet opens up about the influence of her mother’s sculptures, her own evolution as a figurative artist, and the importance of teaching students to engage creatively with history through programs like Adopt a Survivor.This conversation reminds us that creativity is not only a form of self-expression but also a path to empathy, resilience, and human connection.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEpisode 215 – Building Community Through Commerce: A Conversation with Frank CamaranoIn this uplifting episode of Many Voices, One Community, host Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews sits down with longtime friend and community leader Frank Camarano, President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. Together, they explore how local commerce is more than just business—it’s a force for unity, equity, and impact across Long Island.From chamber breakfasts that bring together hundreds of voices, to small business grants and support for food insecurity and veterans, Frank shares how chambers of commerce aren’t just economic engines—they’re the heartbeat of the neighborhoods they serve. Hear about Glen Cove’s Deep Roots Farmers Market, the Council’s work with VetDogs, and how chambers are stepping up in times of need—COVID included.Frank also reflects on his leadership journey, the joy he finds in serving others, and the importance of not taking yourself too seriously (yes, Halloween costumes are discussed!).Whether you’re a small business owner, a civic leader, or a passionate neighbor looking to make a difference, this conversation reminds us: when we lift each other up, we all rise.Support the show

Ranelle Wolf hosts Rabbi Josh Franklin, a leader at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons and author of the upcoming book, Where Are You? Finding Yourself in the Bible. They explore the fascinating intersection of art, faith, and personal calling. Rabbi Franklin shares his journey to rabbinical life, discusses the Hebrew concept of 'tachlit' regarding divine readiness, and reflects on biblical narratives that resonate with modern experiences. Their conversation encourages listeners to embrace their passions and explore the transformative power of creativity.

Send us Fan MailEpisode 210 – The Fog of War and Humanity Richard Acritelli with Guest Tom Spier (Part 3)In this third installment with collector and historian Tom Spier, The Fog of War and Humanity takes listeners deep into the Cold War through the steel and stories of military helmets. From the East German border guards at the Berlin Wall to Polish paratroopers and Middle Eastern battlefields, each helmet reveals a piece of history and the people who wore them.Host Richard Acritelli and Spier explore the evolution of design—from WWII influences to Warsaw Pact innovations—and reflect on the human stories of escape, resilience, and conflict that these artifacts represent. Along the way, they compare Eastern Bloc equipment with the iconic American M1 helmet, a symbol of durability and adaptability across decades of warfare.More than a discussion of military gear, this episode is a vivid reminder of the individuals behind the helmets—soldiers caught between ideologies, nations, and history itself.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe Fog of War and Humanity, Episode 209: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Tom Spier P2In this episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli welcomes back guest Tom Spier to continue their fascinating discussion on military history through the lens of helmet collecting. Tom shares his vast collection, from a rare Bulgarian Model 1936 to Hungarian, Czech, and Yugoslavian helmets. They delve into the specific details of these artifacts—the unique designs, materials, and origins—and how they reflect the history and political alignments of the countries that made them.This conversation goes beyond the items themselves, exploring the human connection to these relics of conflict. Each helmet tells a story of the people who wore them, the ideologies they represented, and the wars they endured. It serves as a powerful reminder of how historical objects can educate us on the complex realities of hate, prejudice, and the importance of empathy, linking the past to the present.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli welcomes back military historian and collector Tom Spier for Part 1 of an in-depth exploration of Cold War combat helmets. From battered Soviet models used in the Finnish Winter War to the iconic American M1 “steel pot” and the Kevlar PASGT that reshaped modern protection, Tom walks us through the evolution of design, technology, and battlefield necessity. Along the way, he shares stories of his decades-long collecting journey, with a personal archive of nearly 400 helmets that reflect both allies and adversaries of the 20th century.This fascinating discussion reveals how helmets not only protected soldiers but also symbolized entire eras of global conflict, from World War II through Afghanistan and the height of the Cold War.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 207: The Dana Download with Dana Arschin featuring Alexis Brooks & Georgia SaracinoIn this inspiring episode of The Dana Download on hmTv, host Dana Arschin Krasow sits down with two extraordinary young women, Alexis Brooks and Georgia Saracino, alumni of the Witness Project and Witness in Action. Together, they share their journeys of Holocaust education, activism, and leadership—transforming remembrance into action.Georgia reflects on her family’s Holocaust legacy, including her great-grandfather, Joseph Lear, who was number 10 on Schindler’s List, and how that history fuels her advocacy as she heads off to college. Alexis recalls building powerful bonds with survivors like Walter Kleinman and Leo Alman, and even spearheading new Holocaust education initiatives within her school district.Through heartfelt stories of resilience, Jewish pride, and the urgency of combating antisemitism, Dana, Alexis, and Georgia highlight why Holocaust education is vital—not just in history books, but in everyday action.This episode is a moving reminder that remembrance is not passive—it’s a call to lead, to speak up, and to carry forward the voices of survivors.🎙️ The Dana Download is produced by hmTv in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center.Support the show

Send us Fan MailLegacy Chronicles Ep. 206 – Carrying the Torch with Cindy RabinowitzIn this episode of Legacy Chronicles on hmTv, host Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, sits down with Cindy Rabinowitz, a devoted second-generation Holocaust survivor. Cindy shares her powerful personal journey—how she came to embrace her role as a 2G after years of seeking her own identity, the impact of discovering her parents’ recorded testimony, and the responsibility she feels to carry their story forward.Together, Zachary and Cindy discuss resilience, memory, and the importance of Holocaust education in today’s world. From guiding students through museum tours to preparing to give her parents’ full testimony, Cindy reveals the challenges and deep purpose in preserving the lessons of the past.This heartfelt conversation explores family legacy, the strength of survivors, and why the next generations must continue to bear witness.Listen now and discover how one daughter is transforming memory into action.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 205 – Disrupting Hate with Ken Schachter and guest Vered Atzmon Meshulam on hmTv:In this powerful episode of Disrupting Hate on hmTv, host Ken Schachter speaks with psychologist Vered Atzmon Meshulam, head of the resilience division at ZAKA and founder of One Resilience for Israel.Vered shares her frontline experiences from the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attacks, when ZAKA volunteers were first on the scene, retrieving victims under fire and offering dignified treatment to the dead. She reveals how that day transformed her life’s mission—creating innovative, integrative trauma-healing programs for first responders, blending evidence-based therapy with spiritual tradition.The conversation explores Vered’s deeply personal Holocaust family history, the emotional Argamani Project to reunite a hostage’s terminally ill mother with her sisters, and the urgent need for unity and resilience in Jewish communities worldwide. She also unveils her upcoming digital platform—a “safe, unifying space” designed to connect, protect, and strengthen Jews globally during both crises and everyday life.This episode is an inspiring testament to courage, healing, and the unbreakable spirit of those who choose to repair the world in the face of hate.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 204 – The Fog of War and Humanity with Janet Santeramo, Part 3 on hmTv:In the conclusion of this three-part conversation, Marine Corps veteran and attorney Janet Santeramo shares how her service in the Gulf War ultimately led to a lifelong mission of helping others — especially her fellow veterans.Janet reflects on her transition from the battlefield to the courtroom, starting in child protection law before moving into Social Security disability and finally finding her true calling in veterans’ law. She opens up about the challenges of navigating the VA system, the cultural mindset in the military that keeps service members from seeking help, and the personal satisfaction of guiding veterans toward the benefits and support they’ve earned.From her years in a respected law firm to running her own practice, Janet continues to serve the veteran community both professionally and through her decades-long involvement with VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point, NY. She highlights the importance of camaraderie, finding purpose after service, and supporting causes like the 3256 Foundation and Tunnel to Towers.It’s a powerful closing chapter on resilience, advocacy, and the enduring bond between those who’ve served.Support the show