The B'nai B'rith Int'l Podcast

Celebrated Actor Nehemiah Persoff

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 22:11:18 +0000

Legendary actor Nehemiah Persoff speaks with B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin about his new memoir, “The Many Faces of Nehemiah,” his successes and struggles as an actor spanning more than five decades – with credits from "Some Like it Hot" to "Yentl" to "Star Trek: The Next Generation" – and his experiences as a Jewish performer in Hollywood and on stage.

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Award-Winning Author Dara Horn on Her New Book, ”People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present”

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 17:14:43 +0000

Author Dara Horn is tired of Jewish history being exploited to flatter the living. In her new book, "People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present," Horn challenges us to confront the public's fascination with Jewish deaths and why there is often little respect for Jewish lives.

A two-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award with nonfiction work published in The New York Times, The Washington Post and more, Horn speaks with B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin about her book in a world once again witnessing alarming spikes in anti-Semitism and the whitewashing of Jewish history.

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Few writers or historians have thoroughly explored the subtle ways in which non-Jewish societies – including contemporary America – pressure or gaslight Jews into modifying or erasing their own identity altogether. Learn more about "People Love Dead Jews" and the thoughtful, provocative concept driving Horn's analysis.

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The Women Who Sewed to Survive

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 17:22:45 +0000

On this episode of the B'nai B'rith podcast with CEO Dan Mariaschin, author and historian Lucy Adlington shares the powerful stories of the women who used their sewing skills to survive the unthinkable horrors of the Nazi concentration camps.

Her new book, "The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive," chronicles the long-hidden – and extraordinary – histories of these fierce women.

Learn more about Adlington's book: http://lucyadlington.com/dressauschwitz.html

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Letters from the Thessaloniki Ghetto (with Dr. Leon Saltiel)

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 21:54:06 +0000

On this episode of the B'nai B'rith podcast, CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with Dr. Leon Saltiel, editor of the harrowing new book, "Do Not Forget Me: Three Jewish Mothers Write to Their Sons from the Thessaloniki Ghetto."

Saltiel’s work brings together the raw emotions of three Greek Jewish women who kept on writing – even as they felt the walls closing in on them.

Sarina Saltiel, Mathilde Barouh, and Neama Cazes detail their experiences with emotional intensity in the weeks before their deportation to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Learn more about Saltiel's book: https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/SaltielDo

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The Jewish World of Elvis Presley

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:41:17 +0000

Few people know about Elvis Presley's range of deep Jewish connections. Even fewer are aware of his own Jewish roots. Author, artist and writer Roselle Chartock joins the B'nai B'rith podcast with CEO Dan Mariaschin to talk about her new book, "The Jewish World of Elvis Presley," and delve into this little-known side of the revolutionary rock 'n' roll icon.

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Scott Kahn and Pesach Wolicki of The Baseball Rabbi Podcast

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 18:56:57 +0000

Scott Kahn and Pesach Wolicki join the B'nai B'rith Podcast with CEO Dan Mariaschin to break down all things baseball.

Kahn and Wolicki are co-hosts of The Baseball Rabbi Podcast, part of the new Jewish podcast network “Jewish Coffeehouse.” Both are experts in baseball history, reevaluating historical assumptions and applying advanced metrics to America's Pastime.

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Chef Paula Shoyer on Her New, First-of-Its-Kind Kosher Instant Pot Cookbook

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:48:09 +0000

Chef, kosher food expert and author Paula Shoyer joins the B'nai B'rith podcast with CEO Dan Mariaschin to talk about her new book, "The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook: 100 Recipes to Nourish Body and Soul" – the first Instant Pot cookbook to feature kosher food.

Shoyer shares her favorite recipes, her newfound sense of gratitude for ingredients and how cooking has changed since March 2020.

Known as “The Kosher Baker,” Shoyer teaches cooking and baking classes all around the world – more than 170 since the pandemic began – and regularly appears in media such as the Washington Post, Food52 and NBC Washington. She has also competed on Food Network's Sweet Genius.

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The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters During World War II

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 23:19:04 +0000

With her new book, “The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos,” author Judy Batalion has written one of the most important stories of World War II.

When the Nazis occupied Poland, many Jewish women joined the resistance and risked their lives to sabotage the regime.

Batalion, who spent 12 years putting the book together, joins the B'nai B'rith podcast with CEO Dan Mariaschin to highlight this crucial but often overlooked story of defiance.

Director Steven Spielberg has already optioned the book for a motion picture and signed Batalion to co-write the screenplay.

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Towering Figures in World History

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:08:51 +0000

Dr. Stephen Berk, professor of history at Union College, joins the B'nai B'rith podcast with CEO Dan Mariaschin to explore his “Towering Figures Who Changed the World” virtual program series, hosted by Ayelet Tours.

As Ayelet's scholar-in-residence, Dr. Berk has hosted 24 installments since the virtual series began in November 2020, giving talks on people who have changed the course of modern history and whose influence remains to this day. These include Theodor Herzl, Margaret Thatcher and Martin Luther King Jr., who Dr. Berk says is the most consequential figure of the 20th century.

Pre-pandemic, Dr. Berk lectured during trips to Russia, Spain, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Europe and Israel.

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Lincoln's Jewish Secret Agent

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 19:45:25 +0000

Dr. Ernest Abel, author of the book, "Lincoln's Jewish Spy: The Life and Times of Issachar Zacharie," speaks with CEO Dan Mariaschin about the incredible life of Issachar Zacharie, a Civil War era Jewish doctor who treated the likes of Henry Clay, General George McClellan and even President Abraham Lincoln! Dr. Abel delves into Zacharie's improbable bond with President Lincoln and how he became the president's confidante – and eventually, an unlikely Union spy.

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Exploring Ancient Israel and Early Judaism

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 22:23:48 +0000

Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion. But how many of us really understand the nuances of early Judaism and the foundation of what we now know as the Bible?

Dr. Alison Joseph, biblical scholar and senior editor of The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, joins CEO Dan Mariaschin to explore the earliest period of Jewish civilization and speak about Volume 1 of the Library, which looks at ancient Israel from its beginnings through 332 BCE.

The new volume, edited by Jeffrey H. Tigay and Adele Berlin, is set to be released in March 2021 by Yale University Press.

Learn more: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300135503/posen-library-jewish-culture-and-civilization-volume-1

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Sports Rabbi Josh Halickman on the Bright Future of Israeli Sports

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 14:50:22 +0000

Josh Halickman, better known as "The Sports Rabbi," speaks with CEO Dan Mariaschin about the state of the sports world during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in Israel. Halickman discusses his unique journey in sports reporting and breaks down the future of Israeli sports, including Deni Avdija, Manor Solomon and the Israeli national baseball team that is set to compete for gold at this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

Check out all of Halickman's coverage at The Sports Rabbi: https://sportsrabbi.com/en/

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The Rebirth of Jewish Music in Post-WWII Germany

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 21:22:44 +0000

Musicologist Dr. Tina Fruhauf joins CEO Dan Mariaschin to guide us through the rebirth of German-Jewish music after the Holocaust. Her new book, "Transcending Dystopia: Music, Mobility, and the German-Jewish Community, 1945–1989," is the first book-length study on Jewish music in postwar Germany.

Dr. Fruhauf delves into her new book and her discoveries about the cultural transformation of the Jewish community in Germany after the Holocaust. An award-winning music historian, she also talks about how the arrival of Jewish immigrants during the 20th century impacted the American musical scene.

Learn more about Dr. Fruhauf's work: http://www.tinafruehauf.com.

Opening music by Naftule Brandwein: "Fun Tashlach" (Returning from the River)

Ruth Lowe: The Woman Who Ignited Frank Sinatra’s Rise to Stardom

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 04:31:33 +0000

Author Peter Jennings and photographer Tom Sandler join CEO Dan Mariaschin to speak about Sandler's mother, Ruth Lowe, one of the most enduring musical talents of the 20th century. Lowe wrote Frank Sinatra's 1940 hit, "I'll Never Smile Again," which established Lowe both as a prolific songwriter and a pioneer as one of the first Jewish women to break into a typically male-dominated industry. Jennings and Lowe's book, "Until I Smile at You," was published in November 2020.

B'nai B'rith's Disaster Relief Efforts Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 04:21:40 +0000

Vice President of Programming Rhonda Love provides updates on B'nai B'rith's emergency relief efforts amidst the coronavirus pandemic, West Coast wildfires and Gulf Coast hurricanes. Love speaks with CEO Dan Mariaschin about how B'nai B'rith is meeting the needs of disaster victims around the world and our ongoing commitment to public service. *From October 2020*

Dr. Erica Miler on Summoning Resilience in Uncertain Times

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 20:31:32 +0000

Clinical psychologist Dr. Erica Miller joins CEO Dan Mariaschin to share her tips for staying resilient in uncertain times. An author of three books on overcoming adversity and living enthusiastically, Dr. Miller's incredible life experiences – from surviving the Holocaust to joining the Israeli Air Force to serving substance abuse and domestic violence populations – give her a wealth of insight on how to develop and summon resilience when it’s needed most.

Dr. Miller previously joined the B'nai B'rith podcast to talk about healthy aging and her latest book, “Chronologically Gifted: Aging with Gusto: A Practical Guide for Healthy Living to Age 123.”

Sanford Greenberg on His Lifelong Friendship with Art Garfunkel

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 21:51:50 +0000

Sanford Greenberg stops by the B'nai B'rith podcast to talk with CEO Dan Mariaschin about his new memoir "Hello Darkness, My Old Friend." Inspired by big dreams and his lifelong friendship with Art Garfunkel (of Simon & Garfunkel), Sanford transcends his own limitations (losing his sight) to change the world and develop a passion for public service and philanthropy.

The Future of Jews in France and Israel

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:37:19 +0000

Journalist and media expert Eliana Gurfinkiel joins CEO Dan Mariaschin to talk about the decision of many Jews in France to make Aliyah and how they ultimately fare in Israeli society. Gurfinkiel and Mariaschin also discuss how French Jews are overcoming anti-Semitism and alienation in France and what French officials are doing to combat attacks on Jewish citizens and their long-standing institutions.

Gurfinkiel produces a daily news program, various topical segments and a Jewish history show for Studio Qualita, the leading French speaking new media in Israel. She is also a strategic adviser for Contraste, a leading South American Jewish media platform that concentrates on encouraging Latin American Jews to further embrace their Jewish identity.

Honoring the Wisdom of Our Elders with Tiffany Woolf and Noam Dromi

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 20:51:50 +0000

On this episode of our podcast, CEO Dan Mariaschin and Center for Senior Services Associate Director Janel Doughten sit down with Tiffany Woolf and Noam Dromi, co-creators of the digital series "Dispatches from Quarantine." Episodes of "Dispatches" focus on the life of older legends like Norman Lear, Ellyn Burstyn, Larry King and the late Carl Reiner. Woolf and Dromi speak about the inspiration for the series, important lessons from older people (both celebrities and those not in the public eye) and why we need to continue celebrating our seniors even after the COVID-19 pandemic calms down.

B'nai B'rith and CAM Launch the Students Speak Out Creative Video Contest to Help Combat Anti-Semitism

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 23:52:15 +0000

Together with the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM), we recently launched a creative video contest to engage high school and undergraduate university students around the world in the fight against anti-Semitism. On this episode, host CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with B'nai B'rith's own Program Director for Strategic Engagement Sienna Girgenti and CAM Director Sacha Roytman-Dratwa about the contest and why CAM and B'nai B'rith's partnership is an important tool for inspiring a new generation of activists against the world's oldest form of hatred – anti-Semitism.

Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz on Confronting the False Idea of Palestinian "Right of Return"

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 21:45:48 +0000

Authors Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz join host CEO Dan Mariaschin to break down their new book, "The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace." Mariaschin speaks with Wilf and Schwartz about how they view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and why they view the notion of Palestinian “right to return” for Arab refugees to be an existential threat to the future of Israel as a Jewish state. They also explore how the refugee issue has become an obstacle to peace, as well as the myths and impediments preventing a peaceful solution between the two sides.

Einat Wilf was a Member of Knesset from 2010 to 2013 for Independence and the Labor Party. She has been a senior fellow at Israeli think tanks, a foreign policy advisor to Shimon Peres and is the author of several books.

Adi Schwartz is a Tel Aviv-based freelance researcher and journalist who is a former staff writer and senior editor for Haaretz. He has particular expertise on the Palestinian refugee issue.

COVID-19's Impact on Russian Foreign Policy and the Latest on Anti-Semitism in Europe

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 21:19:10 +0000

Professor Sarah Fainberg joins host CEO Dan Mariaschin to talk about the coronavirus' impact on Russian foreign policy, the state of anti-Semitism in Europe and the latest developments in Ukraine. Fainberg also discusses how her father's role as a dissident in the Soviet Union informed her career and worldview.

The Life and Times of Daniel Mendoza, Jewish Sporting Superstar Who Was Well Ahead of His Time

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:52:55 +0000

Host CEO Dan Mariaschin talks with Wynn Wheldon, author of "The Fighting Jew: The Life and Times of Daniel Mendoza." The two speak about Wheldon's biography of Mendoza, boxing champion of England from 1792-1795 and Jewish sporting superstar who was well ahead of his time.

Professor Yossi Shain on the "Israelization" of Judaism

Tue, 12 May 2020 22:35:34 +0000

Professor Yossi Shain joins host CEO Dan Mariaschin to discuss the ideas and inspiration behind Shain's best-selling book, "The Israeli Century and the Israelization of Judaism." Shain is one of the world's leading scholars on diasporas. In their conversation, Mariaschin and Shain discuss what Shain means by "Israelization," how Israeli Jewish identity has changed in the 21st century and the future of American Jewry in the face of increased anti-Semitism. They also talk about what decades of war and terrorism have done to the Israeli psyche. "The Israeli Century and the Israelization of Judaism" will be available in English later in 2020.

Professor Nancy Sinkoff, Author of the Groundbreaking Biography "From Left to Right"

Tue, 12 May 2020 00:27:37 +0000

Professor Nancy Sinkoff joins host CEO Dan Mariaschin to discuss her new book, "From Left to Right: Lucy S. Dawidowicz, the New York Intellectuals, and the Politics of Jewish History." In her book, Sinkoff examines the life of Lucy Dawidowicz, intellectual and pioneer historian in the field that is now called Holocaust studies. Mariaschin and Sinkoff speak about her decision to write about Dawidowicz and what she discovered about her subject along the way. They also talk about Dawidowicz's attitude toward feminism and how it may have affected the way her thoughts and writing are evaluated today.

Sinkoff is an award-winning author and is Academic Director of the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life and associate professor of Jewish Studies and History at Rutgers—New Brunswick.

Critically Acclaimed Cartoonist Ben Katchor, Author of "The Dairy Restaurant"

Tue, 05 May 2020 21:38:47 +0000

Renowned cartoonist Ben Katchor sits down with host CEO Dan Mariaschin to discuss his new book, "The Dairy Restaurant." In their conversation, Mariaschin and Katchor explore the history and cultural significance of dairy restaurants, establishments that used to be cornerstones of New York's Jewish community. They also talk about what inspired Katchor to write about dairy restaurants, as well as the extent of his research, why dairy restaurants were so important at their peak and how they have impacted modern Jewish food experiences.

The Jerusalem Post's Omri Nahmias and B'nai B'rith's Alan Schneider on Israel's New Unity Government

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 21:28:29 +0000

Host CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with The Jerusalem Post's Omri Nahmias and Director of B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Alan Schneider about how Israel’s rival political leaders Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Speaker of the Knesset Benny Gantz came to an agreement to form a unity government during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Jerusalem Post's Seth Frantzman on the Fall of ISIS and Coronavirus' Impact in the Middle East

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:30:21 +0000

Seth Frantzman, Oped Editor and Middle East affairs analyst at The Jerusalem Post joins host CEO Dan Mariaschin to discuss his new book, “After Isis: America, Iran and the Struggle for the Middle East.” In their conversation, Frantzman talks about how his experiences reporting in the Middle East have shaped his analysis of events on the ground in an area known as a “tough neighborhood.” Mariaschin and Frantzman also take a deeper look at how the coronavirus has impacted the dynamics in the region, from oil prices to war zones to Iranian hegemonism, and what the region may look like after the pandemic has subsided.

Irina Nevzlin, Author of "The Impact of Identity – The Power of Knowing Who You Are"

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 20:27:23 +0000

Israeli author and entrepreneur Irina Nevzlin joins host CEO Dan Mariaschin to speak about her new book, "The Impact of Identity – The Power of Knowing Who You Are," which offers a new approach to living a more enjoyable and meaningful life in an era of too much information. Nevzlin discusses her inspiration for writing the book and what advice she has for people looking for a new way of viewing the world and addressing it in a more positive, resilient manner. Mariaschin and Nevzlin also talk about the Museum of the Jewish People, her efforts to revive the museum, and how the museum has transformed over the years.

Irina Nevzlin is currently the president of the Nadav Foundation, which was founded in 2003 by her father Leonid Nevzlin in order to support initiatives that promote understanding of the concept of Jewish peoplehood, build collective Jewish identity, and forge lasting ties among Jews around the world. She was previously the Foundation’s CEO from 2008 to 2012. In 2017, Nevzlin was chosen by The Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world.

Professor Deborah Dash Moore, Editor in Chief of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 18:37:02 +0000

Deborah Dash Moore, editor in chief of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, talks about the Library’s recently published sixth volume in its series on Jewish culture and civilization, “Confronting Modernity 1750 to 1880.” Moore is the Frederick G. L. Huetwell Professor of History and Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan and is the author of several books, including “G.I. Jews: How World War II Changed a Generation.” She is also the first scholar of our organization’s history, having published “B'nai B'rith and the Challenge of Ethnic Leadership” in 1981 as part of the State University of New York’s series in modern Jewish history.

Volume 8, “Crisis and Creativity Between World Wars, 1918-1939” is now also available from the Posen Library. Even those who possess a wide ranging knowledge of Jewish history and culture will uncover a wealth of new information in this latest entry, enhanced with an array of impressive reproductions of fine and decorative arts, and including examples of literary treasures by the world’s greatest Jewish writers, a panoramic revelation of the genius that flourished in nearly every country, during those decades of the greatest adversity.

Sheba Medical Center's Yoel HarEven on Israel’s Innovative Coronavirus Response (from Ramat Gan, Israel)

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:41:15 +0000

Israel is at the forefront of innovative research and treatment when it comes to coronavirus. Yoel HarEven, the director of the international division and resource development at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, joins CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin on the B’nai B’rith International Podcast for a discussion on the coronavirus response at his hospital, in Israel more broadly, and the sharing of best practices around the world.

The Coronavirus Spreads Anti-Semitism

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 22:13:54 +0000

The coronavirus is being used as an excuse by some to spread anti-Semitism around the world. B’nai B’rith Deputy Director of the International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy Eric Fusfield joins the B’nai B’rith International Podcast for a discussion on coronavirus and anti-Semitism in this uncertain time. In a discussion with CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, Fusfield delves into the anti-Semitic conspiracy theories surrounding coronavirus.

Dara Jeffries on the Film Sefarad

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 22:02:58 +0000

The 2019 film Sefarad explores the fascinating history of Oporto, the Jewish community of northern Portugal. Visiting to discuss the film and its impact is Dara Jeffries, a long-time member of the Jewish Community of Oporto, where she lived for most of her life until relocating with her family to Miami. She is a representative and spokesperson for the Oporto community in the United States.

Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield on the Resurgence of Anti-Semitism

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 21:58:14 +0000

In this episode, host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sits down with Eric Fusfield, B'nai B'rith International's director of legislative affairs and the deputy director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy. As anti-Semitism rears its ugly head again and again throughout the country, we have watched in horror as Jews have been assaulted and killed in Monsey, New York City, Pittsburgh, Poway and elsewhere. Outside the United States, attacks on Jewish stores and cemeteries continue to occur. With this surge of worldwide and domestic anti-Semitism showing no signs of ceasing, what can be done to combat this trend? How can Jewish organizations address growing anti-Semitism effectively? Listen to find out.

Filmmaker Laura Seltzer on Her New Documentary "Nobody Wants Us"

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 22:37:46 +0000

In this episode, host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with Laura Seltzer-Duny, the documentary filmmaker behind “Nobody Wants Us,” the true story of Jewish refugees who sailed to Hampton Roads, Virginia in order to seek asylum from the Nazis in 1940. During a period when the United States was turning away large numbers of refugees, this group was allowed in the country thanks to the advocacy of a Newport News, Virginia lawyer named Jacob Morewitz. Morewitz was in fact a relative of Laura Seltzer-Duny’s on her mother’s side of the family. The film took eight years to make, and it tells a vital—and still relevant—story about immigration and asylum.

Visit the film’s website at www.nobodywantsus.com for information about upcoming screenings, to schedule a community screening or to purchase the film for a school.

Author Joe Posnanski's New Book about Harry Houdini's Lasting Legacy

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 21:28:44 +0000

Nearly 100 years after his death, legendary illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini continues to cast a spell over loyal fans worldwide. In his new book The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini, author Joe Posnanski unpacks both Houdini’s fascinating biography and how Houdini’s legacy has influenced individuals who have sought to follow in Houdini’s footsteps as magicians.

On this episode, Posnanski discusses the writing of this book as well as the individuals who were inspired by Houdini years later to create their own magic. Posnanski comes to this book with a distinguished sportswriting background. He is a senior writer at The Athletic and has written five books, including the #1 New York Times national bestseller Paterno. Joe was named National Sportswriter of the Year by the Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dr. Asaf Romirowsky on the Renewal of UNRWA's Mandate

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 18:59:52 +0000

Recently, the United Nations General Assembly committee voted to move forward with renewing the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Founded in 1949, UNRWA has a long history of supporting anti-Israel incitement. On this episode to discuss what the renewal of UNRWA’s mandate means for Israel is guest Dr. Asaf Romirowsky. Romirowsky is the Executive Director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East and a fellow at the Middle East Forum. He has co-authored a book with Alexander Joffe on the issue of Palestinian refugee aid titled Religion, Politics, and the Origins of Palestine Refugee Relief, published in 2013. In addition, his work has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New Republic, and the Times of Israel, among other outlets. Romirowsky is also a Professor at the University of Haifa, and he has published widely on various aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict and Zionist history.

James Kaplan, Author of Irving Berlin: New York Genius

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 19:10:22 +0000

Over his nine-decade career, Jewish American songwriter Irving Berlin created some of the most beloved and celebrated popular music in the United States. Due to major songs such as “God Bless America” and “White Christmas,” Irving Berlin’s music continues to live on as canonized works in American popular culture. One of the less examined aspects of Irving Berlin’s life is his relationship with New York City, a place where Berlin grew up as a Jewish immigrant in the Lower East Side. In his newly published book Irving Berlin: New York Genius, distinguished biographer and journalist James Kaplan tackles the complex relationship between Irving Berlin and the city of New York. In this podcast episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO and host Daniel S. Mariaschin and Kaplan discuss Kaplan's book as well as the legacy of Irving Berlin.

James Kaplan is the author of the two-volume biography of Frank Sinatra, Frank: The Voice and Sinatra: The Chairman. He has also profiled a wide range of public figures including playwright Arthur Miller and comedian and writer Larry David.

American Judaism Expert Dr. Jonathan Sarna on Author Cora Wilburn and Anti-Semitism

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 21:35:05 +0000

Coming-of-age novel Cosella Wayne: Or, Will and Destiny, by largely unknown American Jewish author Cora Wilburn, went largely unnoticed for over 150 years. That is, until preeminent Jewish Studies scholar Dr. Jonathan Sarna of Brandeis University discovered the work in Jerusalem after having come across Wilburn's name throughout his career. Sarna helped bring Wilburn's novel to modern day readers with a first-edition published book that he introduces. Wilburn's novel explores important themes of the American Jewish experience during the 19th century.

In this podcast episode, Sarna discusses the discovery of Wilburn's work with our host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin. In addition, Sarna updates listeners on the publication by Yale University Press of the second edition of his seminal work American Judaism: A History. Sarna also shares his perspective on the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in the United States.

UNGA Re-Cap with Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 15:12:17 +0000

Each year, B’nai B’rith sends a delegation of high-level representatives to the United Nations General Assembly, which convenes in New York in the fall. There, our delegation advocates for Israel with political leaders and diplomats from around the world. Given the United Nations’ well-documented and long-running bias against Israel, we consider this work of advocating for Israel a key part of our organization’s mission. In this podcast episode, B'nai B'rith International's Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels provides a re-cap of our delegation’s 2019 visit to the UNGA to host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin.

Dr. Erica Miller on How to Live to Age 123

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 19:02:11 +0000

In this episode, our host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Dr. Erica Miller, a clinical psychologist whose life has taken her from Romania, where she and her family were forced into a concentration camp during the Holocaust when she was a child, to Israel, where her family immigrated when Erica was 15 years old. In Israel, Erica eventually joined the Israeli Air Force. She then relocated to Los Angeles, where she lives now. In Los Angeles, Erica earned a PhD in clinical psychology and raised two children. Erica has written three books, most recently Chronologically Gifted: Aging with Gusto: A Practical Guide for Healthy Living to Age 123. In this episode, Dr. Miller shares her tips for healthy aging. Aging is a topic that is close to our hearts here at B’nai B’rith, because we are the largest national Jewish sponsor of affordable senior housing in the United States. We also advocate for seniors on Capitol Hill, where we fight for legislation that protects the social safety net. You can find out more about that and the other work we do for seniors on our Center for Senior Services section of our website at https://www.bnaibrith.org/seniors.html.

Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 18:52:26 +0000

In 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act. As anti-Semitism continues to surge around the globe, this legislation sent a clear message that the United States will not tolerate hatred and bigotry. In February 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appointed Elan Carr to fill the post of the special envoy. Prior to this point, the position had not been filled by the White House. Elan Carr appears on this episode as a guest to discuss his vital work as special envoy—his top priorities, his day-to-day work and the role of other countries in addressing anti-Semitism globally. Prior to his appointment as Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism, Carr served in the United States military and in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office as a deputy district attorney.

Zioness Founder Amanda Berman on Defending Israel in Progressive Spaces

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 17:39:29 +0000

Often in politically progressive spaces, Zionists are asked to leave their pro-Israel politics at the door, or else face exclusion and be branded as racists. Amanda Berman, the founder and executive director of the Zioness Movement, is aiming to address this problem by empowering and activating Zionists on the progressive left to stand proudly in social justice spaces as Jews and Zionists. In this episode, our podcast host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with Berman about the work of the Zioness Movement and the main challenges ahead for her organization.

Until she recently made the transition to focusing exclusively on building the much-needed Zioness community, Berman was also a civil rights attorney fighting anti-Semitism legally, spearheading such groundbreaking initiatives as the international action against Kuwait Airways for its discrimination against Israeli nationals, and the dual cases against San Francisco State University for its constitutional and civil rights violations against Jewish and Israeli students and community members. Berman writes on Jewish and civil rights issues and is a media contributor across various mediums and outlets. She has spoken and presented before diverse audiences including Hadassah, JNF, B'nai Brith, Jewish Federation, AIPAC, JCRC, Hillel and many others.

Sasson Gabay, Star of The Band's Visit, on the Musical's Enduring Success

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 19:51:29 +0000

The Band’s Visit is the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, making it one of the most Tony-winning musicals in history. With a Middle Eastern-inspired score and a highly skilled ensemble cast, The Band’s Visit celebrates the way that music brings people together in both poignant and often comedic ways. In this episode, Sasson Gabay, who stars in the national tour of The Band's Visit and who originated the role in the film version, discusses the musical with our host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin. Gabay also starred in the musical's production on Broadway. For more information about the national tour, please visit TheBandsVisitMusical.com. Aside from his role in The Band’s Visit, Gabay has enjoyed a long and storied career spanning film, television and theater both in Israel and internationally.

"If You Forfeit the Language, You Forfeit Our Heritage and History:" FactsonIsrael.com Co-Founder Lee Bender

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 14:49:50 +0000

We know that the language that we choose is paramount when we talk about Israel and the Middle East. Author and FactsonIsrael.com co-founder Lee Bender emphasizes this point in his book Pressing Israel: Media Bias Exposed from A-Z, which he co-authored with Jerome Verlin. In this podcast episode, Bender and our podcast's host, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, discuss language and more in regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Bender is an attorney by training and now serves on various Jewish and civic-minded committees in the Philadelphia area, where he lives.

The 25th Anniversary of the AMIA Bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 19:37:11 +0000

25 years ago this summer, the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina's history occurred when a bomber killed 85 people and injured hundreds of others at the AMIA, the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The evidence that Iran and Hezbollah were responsible for the attack is extensive. Yet, efforts to prosecute those responsible for the bombing have been unsuccessful. And the murder of Jewish Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman in 2015 added another victim to this horrific case. In this podcast episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin discusses this tragedy--as well as efforts to hold those responsible to account--with B'nai B'rith International's Special Advisor on Latin American Affairs Adriana Camisar.

OAS 2019: What to Expect at This Year's General Assembly

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 16:00:28 +0000

In this episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with Eduardo Kohn, B’nai B’rith’s director of Latin American Affairs, about the upcoming yearly meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Medellin, Colombia. Kohn and Sienna Girgenti, Program Director for Strategic Engagement, will represent B’nai B’rith at the meeting. B’nai B’rith attends the OAS General Assembly each year. Mariaschin and Kohn also discuss the situation that Jews face in Latin America today, including the biggest dangers for Jewish communities in the region and the influence of Iran in the Western Hemisphere.

The Spy Who Played Major League Baseball: Filmmaker Aviva Kempner on Moe Berg

Wed, 29 May 2019 17:00:19 +0000

Even today, mysteries circulate about the life of Moe Berg, a major league baseball player during baseball’s Golden Age in the 1920s and 1930s who also spied for the United States in Europe. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Aviva Kempner chose to take on Berg's fascinating and jet-setting legacy in her latest film The Spy Behind Home Plate, opening this month. In this episode with Kempner and host B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, they discuss what is known of Berg’s life—his secret mission to discover whether the Nazis had invented an atomic bomb, his storied baseball career, and how he managed to pull off this double life. Kempner is also the creator of films about fellow Jewish baseball star Hank Greenberg and the radio and television star Gertrude Berg.

To watch the trailer of The Spy Behind Home Plate, visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_rQixY-sQI&feature=youtu.be.

A Helping Hand in Puerto Rico Plus Housing Experts Address Emergency Preps

Wed, 22 May 2019 13:32:41 +0000

In this episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with our guests about our efforts to help Puerto Rico recovery from the devastating 2017 Hurricane Maria. We coordinated a vital service mission as part of a gathering of our housing experts that included a focus on emergency preps, protecting seniors from financial fraud and aging in place. As the largest national Jewish sponsor of non-sectarian housing for low income seniors, our team had a lot to say!

Author Pamela Nadell on the History of Jewish Women in America

Thu, 02 May 2019 19:29:37 +0000

In this episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sits down with guest Professor Pamela Nadell to discuss her latest book America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today, published this year by W.W. Norton. Nadell is the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History at American University’s Department of History. She also directs the Jewish Studies Program at American University and serves as the chair of its Critical Race, Gender & Culture Studies program.

America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today highlights the stories of various important Jewish women in American history including poet Emma Lazarus and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Nadell is also the author of Women Who Would be Rabbis: A History of Women’s Ordination, 1889-1985, which was a finalist for a National Jewish Book Award.

Author Lyn Julius on the Arab Jewish Refugee Crisis in the Middle East

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 20:23:35 +0000

Starting in the in 1940s, governments across the Middle East began expelling their countries’ Jewish populations. As a result, almost one million Jews were forced to flee; these refugees went to Israel and other Western countries. In this episode, guest and author Lyn Julius discusses this often-overlooked tragedy in Middle Eastern history with host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin. Lyn Julius is the author of Uprooted: How 3,000 Years of Jewish Civilization in the Arab World Vanished Overnight. Her journalistic work been published in outlets including the Guardian, Ha’aretz and the Huffington Post. Lyn also blogs at Times of Israel, JNS News and Point of No Return, found at www.jewishrefugees.blogspot.com. Lyn is a co-founder of Harif, the UK Association for Jews from the Middle East and North Africa.

B'nai B'rith's 2019 Meetings at UNESCO and the UNHRC

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:14:03 +0000

In this episode, our host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by guest David Michaels, the Director of United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs at B’nai B’rith International. David traveled with a delegation of B'nai B'rith's leaders to Paris and Geneva for B'nai B'rith's annual meetings at UNESCO and the United Nations Human Rights Council, respectively. During these meetings, B’nai B’rith's leaders called attention to the singularly biased treatment of Israel in international bodies. David also addressed the UNHRC directly in the course of the delegation's visit. These annual meetings serve as a critical opportunity for B’nai B’rith to advocate for Israel on the international stage.

Biographer Jane Leavy on Babe Ruth and Other Baseball Icons

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 20:29:06 +0000

In this episode, our host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by sports writer Jane Leavy, an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of biographies of baseball legends Mickey Mantle and Sandy Koufax. Those books are titled The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood and Sandy Koufax: A Lefty’s Legacy. Leavy also wrote the comic novel Squeeze Play, described by Entertainment Weekly as “the best novel ever written about baseball.”

Leavy's latest book The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created explores Babe Ruth’s life as America’s first modern celebrity. The Big Fella has been awarded the Seymour Medal, presented annually by the Society for American Baseball Research for the best baseball book of the year. The book has also been nominated for the National Book Critics Award in biography as well as the Pen-Faulkner award for literary sports writing. The Big Fella includes details never previously reported about the baseball legend’s life. Leavy and Mariaschin discuss all this and more during the episode.

The Lasting Jewish Legacy of Eddie Cantor

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 21:21:22 +0000

In this episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by David Weinstein, the Washington, D.C.-based author of two books, including most recently The Eddie Cantor Story: A Jewish Life in Performance and Politics (2017). In this biography, which is included the Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture and Life, Weinstein explores the extensive legacy of Eddie Cantor, an immensely popular Jewish entertainer of the early to mid-20th century whose reach extended to radio, film, theater and television. Together, Mariaschin and Weinstein discuss several big questions surrounding Eddie Cantor's Jewish legacy. How did Eddie Cantor incorporate Jewish-themed material into his work? What was the relationship between Eddie Cantor’s very vocal opposition to Nazism and anti-Semitism and his persona as a Jewish American entertainer? How did his many philanthropic efforts benefit the Jewish community?

Anti-Semitism on College Campuses

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:55:27 +0000

As anti-Semitic incidents continue to occur on college campuses across the United States, how bad is the situation for Jewish students today? What is being done to combat anti-Semitism on campuses? How can we ensure that supporters of the BDS movement do not hijack student government agendas? In this episode, our host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin delves into these questions with guest Andy Borans, the CEO of the Alpha Epsilon Pi foundation and its former executive director.

B'nai B'rith's Work Combating Anti-Semitism in Europe

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:37:40 +0000

As we continue to witness a resurgence in anti-Semitism worldwide, it becomes even more critical for B’nai B’rith International to increase its global footprint fighting bigotry against Jews. In this episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin speaks to B'nai B'rith International's Director of European Union Affairs Benjamin Naegele about Naegele's work combating anti-Semitism in Europe in 2018. The discussion includes special emphasis on the Austrian Council Presidency’s recent focus on anti-Semitism and an important survey that was just conducted regarding the rising levels of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Ken Ackerman on B'nai B'rith's Early Days in 1840s New York City

Thu, 06 Dec 2018 19:54:14 +0000

In this episode, host and B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sits down with guest Ken Ackerman, an attorney and writer based in Washington, D.C. Ken’s published books include Boss Tweed: The Corrupt Pol Who Conceived the Soul of Modern New York and Ken’s most recent one, Trotsky in New York, 1917, A Radical on the Eve of Revolution. Ken has authored a feature story titled “How an Immigrant Saloon of 1840s New York Gave Birth to B’nai B’rith” for B'nai B'rith Magazine's winter 2018 magazine issue. The piece is a deeply researched and detailed exploration of B’nai B’rith’s founding in New York during the mid-19th century. Ken describes in detail what life was like for the Jews who founded B'nai B'rith during that time.

The White House's Withdrawal from UNRWA Funding

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:32:08 +0000

Recently the White House announced that it would be withdrawing funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, otherwise known as the UNRWA. In this podcast episode, our host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin discusses the implications of this decision by the White House with our guest, Dr. Asaf Romirowsky. Dr. Romirowsky is the Executive Director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East and a fellow at the Middle East Forum. He has co-authored a book with Alexander Joffe on the issue of Palestinian refugee aid titled Religion, Politics, and the Origins of Palestine Refugee Relief, published in 2013. Dr. Romirowsky is also a Professor at the University of Haifa, and he has published widely on various aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict and Zionist history.

Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism in the Wake of the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 20:45:19 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Eric Fusfield, B'nai B'rith's director of legislative affairs and the deputy director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy. They discuss the devastating mass shooting on Saturday, October 27, 2018 that killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. As prosecutors press charges against the gunman Robert Bowers, they explore the issues of hate crimes and the rise in anti-Semitism. This shooting was the deadliest attack on American Jews in the history of the United States.

Frank Goldman on His Grandfather's Role As an Advocate for Israel

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:05:32 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Frank Goldman, the grandson of former B’nai B’rith International president Frank Goldman. As B’nai B’rith’s president, Goldman spearheaded the first openly pro-Zionist position that the organization had ever taken by publicly calling for the unrestricted immigration of European Jewish refugees into then-British controlled Palestine. This was a highly controversial stance to take at the time. Goldman also organized a succession of meetings that eventually led to the formal recognition of Israel by the U.S.

Bill Benson On Interviewing Holocaust Survivors

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 19:24:14 +0000

In this podcast episode, guest Bill Benson sits down with host and B'nai B'rith International CEO to discuss his work interviewing Holocaust survivors before live audiences at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Benson shares what it is like to hear these poignant and deeply thought-provoking stories.

Author Bob Wechsler Discusses The Jewish Baseball Card Book

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 20:03:41 +0000

In this podcast episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sits down with Bob Wechsler, author of The Jewish Baseball Card Book, to talk about the role of Jews--and their baseball cards--in the history of baseball.

Author Eugene L. Meyer On His Book "Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown's Army"

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 12:49:06 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sits down with B'nai B'rith Magazine Editor Eugene L. Meyer Meyer to discuss his latest book, "Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown's Army." Very little is known about the five African American soldiers who fought in John Brown's army, and Meyer aims to shed light on these courageous men.

24 Years Later: The AMIA Jewish Center Bombing

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:51:49 +0000

July 18, 2018 marks the 24th anniversary since the tragic bombing of the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with B'nai B'rith International's Special Advisor on Latin American Affairs Adriana Camisar about a critical recent development in this case. Alberto Nisman, the federal prosecutor who had been investigating the case, was found dead in his apartment in January of 2015, right after accusing the Argentinian government of giving cover to Iran for planning and executing the bombing via its proxy Hezbollah. A federal chamber ruled--three and a half years later--that Nisman's death was indeed a murder and not a suicide.

B'nai B'rith and the Jews of Romania

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 13:22:37 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin sits down with B'nai B'rith International's Archivist Cheryl Kempler to discuss the relationship between B'nai B'rith and the Jews of Romania. As the first European country to establish B'nai B'rith lodges, Romania has a special place in B'nai B'rith's history. Listen to learn more about this history and the ways in which B'nai B'rith is helping Jews of Romanian origin today.

Challenges and Solutions for Seniors in Affordable Housing

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:55:32 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with the Associate Director of B'nai B'rith International's Center for Senior Services Janel Doughten about several challenges and solutions for residents of B'nai B'rith's affordable housing buildings. In particular, they discuss the challenge of bullying in these residential communities, as well as the role of residents’ associations in addressing these and other challenges for seniors in B'nai B'rith's buildings. With a network of 38 apartment buildings located in 28 cities across the U.S., affordable housing for seniors is a key part of B'nai B'rith's mission.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Dr. Erica Miller

Wed, 23 May 2018 18:01:34 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Dr. Erica Miller, a clinical psychologist whose life has taken her from Romania, where she and her family were forced into a concentration camp during the Holocaust when she was a child, to Israel, where her family immigrated when Miller was 15 years old. In Israel, Miller eventually joined the Israeli Air Force, where she served from 1954 to 1956. Miller next relocated to Los Angeles, where she earned a PhD in clinical psychology and raised two children. Miller has written three books, including her most recent book Chronologically Gifted: Aging with Gusto, and currently manages a family real estate company in Austin, Texas. During this episode, Mariaschin speaks with Miller about her life’s journey, from surviving the Holocaust to serving in the Israeli Air Force as a woman, to starting an entirely new life in the United States.

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin with Guests Alan Schneider and Avraham Huli on Jewish Holocaust Rescuers

Fri, 04 May 2018 13:35:04 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with guests Alan Schneider, director of B'nai B'rith's World Center-Jerusalem, and Avraham Huli, B'nai B'rith's international vice president. They discuss the phenomenon of Jews rescuing other Jews during the Holocaust; many of their stories have remained largely unknown until now. They also discuss a film currently in production that is focused specifically on Jewish rescuers, as well as the film's funders, its target audience and the stories that the film explores.

To learn more about the Jewish rescuers' program, visit its website: www.en.jrj.co.il.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Stefanie Halpern on the History of Yiddish Theater in America

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:31:09 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with Stefanie Halpern, the assistant director of the archives at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York. Halpern received her Ph.D. in Jewish Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where she focused on the influence of the Yiddish stage on American theatrical culture. During this episode, Mariaschin and Halpern discuss the history of Yiddish theatre, as well as Halpern's work as the assistant curator of the highly successful exhibition "New York’s Yiddish Theater: From the Bowery to Broadway," which was shown at the Museum of the City of New York in 2016. Halpern also mentions the upcoming debut of YIVO’s new online class called “Oh Mama, I’m in Love! The Story of the Yiddish Stage!”

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and David Michaels on UNESCO and the UNHRC

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 16:23:32 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and B'nai B'rith International's Director of United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels discussed B'nai B'rith's advocacy work on behalf of Israel at both UNESCO and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Sienna Girgenti on B’nai B’rith’s Work in Latin America

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 19:05:04 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with B'nai B'rith International's Assistant Director for the International Center for Human Rights aand Public Policy and Director of the Cuban Jewish Relief Project Sienna Girgenti about B'nai B'rith's work in Latin America, including disaster relief efforts in Cuba and the upcoming Summit of the Americas.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Cheryl Kempler on B'nai B'rith's History

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 16:37:42 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin talks with B'nai B'rith International's Archivist and Staff Writer Cheryl Kempler about the beginnings of B'nai B'rith and its early history as an organization.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Evan Carmen on the Tax Bill

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 18:03:46 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and B'nai B'rith International's Assistant Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen discussed Congress's tax bill and its implications for seniors.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Evan Carmen on Affordable Senior Housing

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:26:27 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin speaks with B'nai B'rith International's Assistant Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen about his role advocating for seniors' expanded access to affordable housing through his work with the U.S. Congress.

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Eric Fusfield

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 19:28:42 +0000

In this episode, B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and B'nai B'rith International's Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield discuss the implications of President Trump's announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Cheryl Kempler on B'nai B'rith's History in Czechoslovakia

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 20:52:21 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin speaks with Art and Music Specialist Cheryl Kempler about the history of B'nai B'rith in Czechoslovakia.

United Nations General Assembly Preview

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:32:09 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Director of U.N. Affairs David Michaels and Program Officer for U.N. Affairs Oren Drori to preview the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

European Commission's Coordinator On Combating Anti-Semitism Katharina Von Schnurbein

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 21:33:43 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by the European Commission's Coordinator on Combating Anti-Semitism Katharina von Schnurbein to discuss her efforts to coordinate and strengthen policy response to anti-Semitism, as well as hate crimes and discrimination.

Essen Bakery's Tova du Plessis on Jewish Baking, Food and Cultural Ties to Eating

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:01:42 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by the owner and operator of Essen Bakery Tova du Plessis – a Jewish bakery in South Philadelphia.

Adriana Camisar On The Anniversary Of The AMIA Bombing In Buenos Aires

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:51:28 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by B'nai B'rith Special Advisor on Latin America Affairs Adriana Camisar to discuss the 23rd anniversary of the horrific 1994 terrorist attack on the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires.

Author Ron Kaplan On His Book "Hank Greenberg In 1938: Hatred And Home Runs In The Shadow Of War"

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 18:42:30 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Ron Kaplan, author of Hank Greenberg In 1938: Hatred And Home Runs In The Shadow Of War.

Director Of Latin America Affairs Eduardo Kohn On Anti-Semitism In Latin America, The BDS Movement's Failings, Israel's Regional Allies

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:42:00 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Director of Latin America Affairs Eduardo Kohn to discuss the recent spats of anti-Semitism in Central and South America, allies of the Jewish community and Israel in the region, and more.

Director Of EU Affairs On The Passage Of Anti-Semtism Resolution; Recounting The Bombings In Brussels One Year Later

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 19:44:08 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by Director of European Union Affairs Benjamin Nägele to discuss the recent passage of an EU resolution on anti-Semitism. Nägele also recounts last year's bombings in Brussels as a citizen living in the city and what the EU is doing to combat terrorism.

Thoughts And Reflections On The 50th Anniversary Of The Six-Day War

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 18:36:11 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin is joined by B'nai B'rith World Center – Jerusalem Alan Schneider to discuss the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War.

Director Of EU Affairs Benjamin Nägele On Europe's Relationship With Israel And Combatting Anti-Semitism

Thu, 18 May 2017 22:53:39 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin speaks with B'nai B'rith Director of European Union Affairs Benjamin Nägele.

Former U.S. Special Envoy To Monitor And Combat Anti-Semitism Ira Forman

Fri, 05 May 2017 12:38:18 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin speaks with the former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Ira Forman.

World Center – Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider On B'nai B'rith's Work In Israel

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:27:15 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with B'nai B'rith World Center – Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider to discuss B'nai B'rith's work in the Jewish state.

Recap: B'nai B'rith Delegation Advocates For Israel At The UNHRC And UNESCO

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:56:08 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with Director of United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels following B'nai B'rith's annual delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, and a recent visit to UNESCO in Paris.

Assistant Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen on Social Security

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 18:48:19 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with new Assistant Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen on the history of Social Security, the benefits of the program, longterm solvency of the Social Security trust fund and common misconceptions.

Vice President Of Programming Rhonda Love On Disaster Relief

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 18:00:28 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with Vice President of Programming Rhonda Love about B'nai B'rith's disaster relief efforts and the organization's goals of supporting the longterm recovery of communities.

Director Of U.N. Affairs David Michaels On Ban-Ki Moon, Guterres And The Maligning Of Israel At The United Nations

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 21:56:22 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with Director of United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels, asking for his reflections on former-U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, his projections for new-U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and reasons why Israel is so disproportionally attacked at the world body.

B'nai B'rith Origins With Curatorial Services Director Cheryl Kempler

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 19:25:00 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin talks to Director of Curatorial Services Cheryl Kempler about the origins of B'nai B'rith and early member Simon Wolf, who had run-ins with presidents and author Mark Twain.

Why Do We Need A Working Definition On Anti-Semitism? With Legislative Affairs Director Eric Fusfield

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:16:57 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin talks to Director of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy Eric Fusfield about the importance of a working definition on anti-Semitism and what B'nai B'rith is doing to push that definition.

Cuban Jewish Relief Project Director Sienna Girgenti On More Than 20 Years of Aid

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 22:03:24 +0000

B'nai B'rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin talks to Cuban Jewish Relief Project Director Sienna Girgenti about the organization's more than two decades of missions assisting the Cuban Jewish community and the history of the Jewish population in Cuba.

Senior Housing And Advocacy With CEO Daniel Mariaschin And Center For Senior Services Director Mark Olshan

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 20:43:10 +0000

On the inaugural edition of the B'nai B'rith International Podcast, CEO Daniel Mariaschin sits down with Associate Executive Vice President and Center for Senior Services Director Mark Olshan to discuss B'nai B'rith's involvement in senior housing and the organization's efforts to advocate on behalf of senior citizens.

The B'nai B'rith Int'l Podcast

Celebrated Actor Nehemiah Persoff

Award-Winning Author Dara Horn on Her New Book, ”People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present”

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The Women Who Sewed to Survive

Letters from the Thessaloniki Ghetto (with Dr. Leon Saltiel)

The Jewish World of Elvis Presley

Scott Kahn and Pesach Wolicki of The Baseball Rabbi Podcast

Chef Paula Shoyer on Her New, First-of-Its-Kind Kosher Instant Pot Cookbook

The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters During World War II

Towering Figures in World History

Lincoln's Jewish Secret Agent

Exploring Ancient Israel and Early Judaism

Sports Rabbi Josh Halickman on the Bright Future of Israeli Sports

The Rebirth of Jewish Music in Post-WWII Germany

Ruth Lowe: The Woman Who Ignited Frank Sinatra’s Rise to Stardom

B'nai B'rith's Disaster Relief Efforts Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

Dr. Erica Miler on Summoning Resilience in Uncertain Times

Sanford Greenberg on His Lifelong Friendship with Art Garfunkel

The Future of Jews in France and Israel

Honoring the Wisdom of Our Elders with Tiffany Woolf and Noam Dromi

B'nai B'rith and CAM Launch the Students Speak Out Creative Video Contest to Help Combat Anti-Semitism

​Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz on Confronting the False Idea of Palestinian "Right of Return"

COVID-19's Impact on Russian Foreign Policy and the Latest on Anti-Semitism in Europe

The Life and Times of Daniel Mendoza, Jewish Sporting Superstar Who Was Well Ahead of His Time

Professor Yossi Shain on the "Israelization" of Judaism

Professor Nancy Sinkoff, Author of the Groundbreaking Biography "From Left to Right"

Critically Acclaimed Cartoonist Ben Katchor, Author of "The Dairy Restaurant"

The Jerusalem Post's Omri Nahmias and B'nai B'rith's Alan Schneider on Israel's New Unity Government

The Jerusalem Post's Seth Frantzman on the Fall of ISIS and Coronavirus' Impact in the Middle East

Irina Nevzlin, Author of "The Impact of Identity – The Power of Knowing Who You Are"

Professor Deborah Dash Moore, Editor in Chief of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization

Sheba Medical Center's Yoel HarEven on Israel’s Innovative Coronavirus Response (from Ramat Gan, Israel)

The Coronavirus Spreads Anti-Semitism

Dara Jeffries on the Film Sefarad

Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield on the Resurgence of Anti-Semitism

Filmmaker Laura Seltzer on Her New Documentary "Nobody Wants Us"

Author Joe Posnanski's New Book about Harry Houdini's Lasting Legacy

Dr. Asaf Romirowsky on the Renewal of UNRWA's Mandate

James Kaplan, Author of Irving Berlin: New York Genius

American Judaism Expert Dr. Jonathan Sarna on Author Cora Wilburn and Anti-Semitism

UNGA Re-Cap with Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels

Dr. Erica Miller on How to Live to Age 123

Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr

Zioness Founder Amanda Berman on Defending Israel in Progressive Spaces

Sasson Gabay, Star of The Band's Visit, on the Musical's Enduring Success

"If You Forfeit the Language, You Forfeit Our Heritage and History:" FactsonIsrael.com Co-Founder Lee Bender

The 25th Anniversary of the AMIA Bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina

OAS 2019: What to Expect at This Year's General Assembly

The Spy Who Played Major League Baseball: Filmmaker Aviva Kempner on Moe Berg

A Helping Hand in Puerto Rico Plus Housing Experts Address Emergency Preps

Author Pamela Nadell on the History of Jewish Women in America

Author Lyn Julius on the Arab Jewish Refugee Crisis in the Middle East

B'nai B'rith's 2019 Meetings at UNESCO and the UNHRC

Biographer Jane Leavy on Babe Ruth and Other Baseball Icons

The Lasting Jewish Legacy of Eddie Cantor

Anti-Semitism on College Campuses

B'nai B'rith's Work Combating Anti-Semitism in Europe

Ken Ackerman on B'nai B'rith's Early Days in 1840s New York City

The White House's Withdrawal from UNRWA Funding

Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism in the Wake of the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting

Frank Goldman on His Grandfather's Role As an Advocate for Israel

Bill Benson On Interviewing Holocaust Survivors

Author Bob Wechsler Discusses The Jewish Baseball Card Book

Author Eugene L. Meyer On His Book "Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown's Army"

24 Years Later: The AMIA Jewish Center Bombing

B'nai B'rith and the Jews of Romania

Challenges and Solutions for Seniors in Affordable Housing

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Dr. Erica Miller

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin with Guests Alan Schneider and Avraham Huli on Jewish Holocaust Rescuers

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Stefanie Halpern on the History of Yiddish Theater in America

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and David Michaels on UNESCO and the UNHRC

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Sienna Girgenti on B’nai B’rith’s Work in Latin America

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Cheryl Kempler on B'nai B'rith's History

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Evan Carmen on the Tax Bill

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Evan Carmen on Affordable Senior Housing

CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Eric Fusfield

Cheryl Kempler on B'nai B'rith's History in Czechoslovakia

United Nations General Assembly Preview

European Commission's Coordinator On Combating Anti-Semitism Katharina Von Schnurbein

Essen Bakery's Tova du Plessis on Jewish Baking, Food and Cultural Ties to Eating

Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz on Confronting the False Idea of Palestinian "Right of Return"