Conversations with B’nai B’rith

Untold Stories of Courage from World War II

Author and military historian Bruce Henderson speaks with B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin about his brand-new book, "Bridge to the Sun: The Secret Role of the Japanese Americans Who Fought in the Pacific in World War II," and his 2017 New York Times bestseller "Sons and Soldiers: The Untold Story of the Jews Who Escaped the Nazis and Returned with U.S. Army to Fight Hitler."

 

In “Bridge to the Sun," Henderson captures an unforgettable story of patriotism through the eyes of Japanese American U.S. soldiers who helped save countless American lives during World War II – even as their families were being imprisoned in internment camps back home.

 

“Sons and Soldiers" highlights the epic, previously untold story of the Ritchie Boys. Jewish families sent their young sons away from danger to safety in America, knowing they may never meet again. When these young men came of age, they became American soldiers determined to return to Europe to fight for their adopted homeland and for the families they had left behind.

 

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Two Years Since the Abraham Accords

B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin, and Director of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Director for Human Rights and Public Policy Eric Fusfield discuss the impact of the Abraham Accords on Israel and the region two years after the agreement was signed, as well as prospects for continued regional peace, security and prosperity, the growing threat from Iran, and more.

 

When the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Israel signed the historic Accords on September 15, 2020, the UAE and Bahrain formally recognized the State of Israel and normalized relations with the Jewish state – ultimately charting a new course in the history of Arab-Israeli relations. This achievement set the stage for Morocco and Sudan to follow suit and join the Accords later in 2020 – raising the number of Arab States with formal diplomatic ties to Israel from two to six.

 

Just two years into the agreement, the magnitude and importance of the Abraham Accords cannot be understated. Tune in to this episode to find out why!

 

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Dressing the King of Rock and Roll

Before Elvis Presley was "The King," he was a poor kid who spent his free time staring at the windows of Lansky Brothers in the heart of Memphis' music district. One day in 1952, Bernard Lansky saw a young, skinny kid admiring the clothes and invited him in. So began a lifelong friendship built on trust and respect, one that Hal Lansky, Bernard's son, witnessed firsthand.

 

Almost exactly 45 years after Elvis Presley’s passing, Hal Lansky joins B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin to help celebrate Elvis’ life and legacy. They talk about how Lansky Brothers became clothier to the King, his family’s special relationship with Elvis, how Hal’s father and uncle felt about being the men who dressed one of the 20th century’s most iconic cultural figures, and of course Baz Luhrmann's new biopic, Elvis.

 

More about Lansky Brothers.

 

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The 28-Year-Old Amplifying the Music of the Borscht Belt

What started as a way for Vassar College alumni to fill open air time on its radio station has turned into a launching pad for Aaron Bendich's "Borscht Beat," a weekly FM radio show (on Radio Catskill, WJFF-90.5) featuring Jewish music, old and new.

 

The 28-year-old launched the hour-long program from his Brooklyn apartment in 2020 (in the throes of quarantine) as a way to revive – and continue – his family's love for Jewish music. In less than two years, Bendich has built up a large community of listeners and has expanded to three additional radio stations – WJFF Catskill, WVKR Poughkeepsie and WCFA Cape May.

 

Now he's launching a record label, also called "Borscht Beat," to more actively engage in the Jewish music scene.

 

In this interview, Bendich speaks with B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin about "Borscht Beat" – the radio show and the label – the future of Jewish music and much more.

 

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The Birth of Modern Standup Comedy (in the Catskills)

Why are there so many Jewish comedians? "When Comedy Went to School" answers this question with an in-depth, entertaining portrait of America's greatest generation of comics – including the likes of Jerry Lewis, Joan Rivers, Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason and so many others.

 

The feature-length documentary – which aired earlier this year on PBS – tells the story of the Catskill hotels and bungalow colonies that provided the setting for a group of young Jewish-American comedians who forever altered the course of American humor.

 

On this episode, "When Comedy Went to School" executive producer Robert Kosch speaks with B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin about the film and guides us through the amazing legacy of Jewish comedians who got their start in the Catskills, the origins of the Borscht Belt hotels themselves, the fight against anti-Semitism and more.

 

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The Struggle for Jewish Equality During the French Revolution

The French Revolution brought the promise of equality to many oppressed groups living in France. French Jews, subject to brutal treatment for centuries, sought to benefit from the new freedoms promised by the Revolution. So they enlisted the help of young Catholic attorney Jacques Godard, who ultimately persuaded the Paris Municipal Assembly to legislate equal rights for Jews.

 

In his new book, "Lobbying for Equality: Jacques Godard and the Struggle for Jewish Equality During the French Revolution," author and international law expert Gerard Leval brings to life the story of a young man who fought for equality for the French Jewish community more than 200 years ago.

 

Leval joins B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin to talk about Godard's life and impact on the Jews of France, how Godard brought about meaningful change, the history of Jews in France and more.

 

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30 Canadian Jewish Musicians Get Their Due

In his first book, “Under the Radar: 30 Notable Canadian Jewish Musicians,” music aficionado David Eisenstadt highlights hidden gems in the music world – musicians whose fame and fortune did not match their talent and influence.

Eisenstadt writes with acclaim and appreciation for the artists who never quite basked in the limelight, including pop singer Corey Hart, folksingers The Travellers, jazz singer Sofie Milman, rock star and broadcaster Danny Marks, children’s music trio Sharon Lois & Bram, and film score writer and composer Howard Shore, among others.

For our 99th podcast episode, Eisenstadt joins CEO Dan Mariaschin for a conversation about Canadian Jewish musicians who never got their proper due – until now.

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Former Ambassador Danny Danon on His Time ”In the Lion’s Den”

What is it like to represent Israel on the world stage? Former Ambassador Danny Danon has insights few can rival. He spent five years (2015-2020) as Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, a necessary but complex place for Jews and the State of Israel – and an institution known for its systemic bias against the Jewish state.

In his upcoming book, "In the Lion's Den: Israel and the World,” Ambassador Danon shares his experiences on the front lines of Israel’s global presence.

B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with the Ambassador about “In the Lion’s Den,” his commitment to the Jewish state through public service, key moments from his time representing Israel at the world body, and why he views his country as an increasingly major player on the world stage.

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Author Margot Webb on Surviving the Holocaust as a Child

Margot Webb hasn't forgotten what happened to her family more than 80 years ago in Nazi Germany. The sacrifices made to save her and her mother. The heartlessness of former friends. The brutality of SS officers.

Webb's book, "Tears in the Eyes of My Enemy," follows a slightly fictionalized version of herself – Meryam – as she returns to her childhood homes in Arnstadt and Halle, Germany, and the unlikely friendships she builds with descendants of her former tormentors.

In this episode, B'nai B'rith CEO Dan Mariaschin speaks with Webb about "Tears in the Eyes of My Enemy," her journey back to the places she once called home and her efforts making sure others don't forget the cruelty she witnessed – and experienced.

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Celebrated Actor Nehemiah Persoff

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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