Ep 607: The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen and guest Kim Hadar on hmTv

Ep 608: The Dana Download with Dana Arschin and guest Rhonda Fink-Whitman on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] Ep. 608: The Dana Download with Dana Arschin and Guest Rhonda Fink-Whitman on hmTv In this episode of The Dana Download, host Dana Arschin welcomes author, educator, and Holocaust education advocate Rhonda Fink-Whitman for a powerful conversation about memory, responsibility, and action. Rhonda, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, shares the story behind her book 94 Maidens, which tells the true story of her mother’s survival and Rhonda’s journey to uncover sealed Nazi documents about her family’s fate. She also discusses her graphic novel, Daughters of the Holocaust, which reimagines daughters of survivors as modern-day fighters against antisemitism and Holocaust denial. The conversation also explores Rhonda’s years of advocacy for mandatory Holocaust education, including her viral “Mandate Video,” her role in helping advance Holocaust education legislation across multiple states, and her current efforts to strengthen Holocaust education requirements in Pennsylvania. Through personal family history, educational activism, and an urgent call to preserve memory, this episode reminds listeners why Holocaust education must not be optional and why the responsibility to teach future generations belongs to all of us. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 607: The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen and guest Kim Hadar on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen and Guest Kim Hadar on hmTv In this episode of The Israeli Bond, host Gal Swisa Cohen welcomes Kim Hadar, an Israeli Shinshin serving with the Long Island delegation through the Randy Wolff-Malinsky Center for Israel at Sid Jacobson JCC. Kim shares what it means to take a year of service before joining the Israel Defense Forces, and how her role on Long Island has allowed her to build meaningful bridges between Israel and the Jewish community in America. Through preschool visits, teen programs, adult education, host families, and everyday personal connections, Kim describes the powerful impact of simply showing up as “a friend from Israel.” The conversation also explores the emotional challenges of living far from home, the deep values of service and responsibility she learned from her family, and her decision to pursue combat service in the IDF as a young Israeli woman. Kim speaks movingly about her late brother Tom, a former combat soldier, and how his memory continues to inspire her sense of courage, purpose, and commitment. This heartfelt episode offers a personal look at Israeli youth, Jewish identity, diaspora connection, and the enduring bond between Israel and Jewish communities around the world. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 606: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Jake Blumencranz P3 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] Influential Origins with Alan Mindel Guest: Jake Blumencranz — Part 3 hmTv at HMTC In Part 3 of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel concludes his conversation with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz with a powerful discussion about America, constitutional freedoms, redistricting, political extremism, free speech, media responsibility, and the future of civic life. Alan opens with a personal story about his Holocaust survivor father’s deep love for America, despite its flaws, and the belief that the United States remains the greatest nation on earth because of its Constitution, protections, and ongoing struggle to form a more perfect union. Jake reflects on the importance of protecting both the federal and New York State constitutions, especially as debates over redistricting and gerrymandering threaten the principle that voters should choose their representatives — not the other way around. The conversation explores how safe political districts empower the extremes, weaken the center, and reduce the voice of ordinary voters. Alan and Jake discuss the danger of losing centrist leadership, the rise of far-left and far-right movements, and the way antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric have become common ground for political extremists on both sides. They also examine the meaning of free speech, freedom of religion, and public safety in a time when intimidation, blocked roads, online threats, and masked harassment are often defended as expression. Jake emphasizes the need to enforce existing laws, protect houses of worship, adopt clear definitions of antisemitism, and make sure communities can live peacefully and safely. The episode closes with a timely conversation about propaganda, social media, the decline of traditional journalism, misinformation, bot farms, foreign influence, and the need to adapt to a new communications battlefield. Rather than longing for the past, Jake argues that communities must learn to fight for truth in the world as it exists today. This final part of the conversation is a compelling call for civic responsibility, constitutional integrity, moral clarity, and renewed participation by the “missing middle” in American public life. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 605: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Jake Blumencranz P2 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] Influential Origins with Alan Mindel Guest: Jake Blumencranz — Part 2 hmTv at HMTC In Part 2 of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel continues his conversation with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, focusing on the growing challenges facing New York, the future of families and businesses in the state, and the alarming rise of antisemitism in public life, education, and civic spaces. Alan and Jake discuss whether the next generation will be able to build a future in New York, as families confront rising costs, population stagnation, political dysfunction, and questions about safety and belonging. Jake reflects on his belief that New York remains one of the greatest places to live, but warns that poor policy decisions are weakening the state’s promise. The conversation turns deeply toward the Jewish community’s experience in New York today, including hate crimes, campus antisemitism, the Columbia University protests, and the failure of institutions and prosecutors to enforce laws equally. Jake explains the difference between “the streets” and “the dinner table” — the need to address public intimidation and violence through law enforcement while also confronting the deeper narratives being shaped in schools, online spaces, and community conversations. Alan and Jake also explore Holocaust education, the misuse of language such as “genocide,” the blurring of moral clarity, and the growing attempts to distort Jewish history by recasting Jews as oppressors rather than as a historically targeted minority. They discuss why accurate Holocaust education remains essential, especially as younger generations are increasingly exposed to misinformation and dangerous ideological framing. This episode is a frank and urgent conversation about antisemitism, public safety, education, leadership, and the responsibility of elected officials and community leaders to protect truth, law, and the future of New York. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 604: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Jake Blumencranz P1 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] Ep. 604 — Influential Origins with Alan Mindel Guest: Jake Blumencranz — Part 1 hmTv at HMTC In this episode of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel sits down with Jake Blumencranz for a thoughtful conversation about family legacy, public service, education, identity, and leadership. Jake shares the multigenerational story of his family’s business roots, beginning with Lafayette Metal and Glass and evolving into a nearly century-long legacy in the insurance industry through NFP, an Aon company. He reflects on the influence of his grandfather’s philanthropy, including his longtime role in helping shape Northwell Health, and his father’s commitment to public safety through the Nassau County Police Foundation. The conversation also explores Jake’s own journey growing up in Jericho, Long Island, his experience as a student with dyslexia and dyscalculia, and how those early challenges shaped his advocacy for children with learning differences. Jake discusses his education at Rice University and the London School of Economics, where his studies in public policy, religion, real estate, urban planning, and economic development helped shape the way he views communities, policy, and social change. Alan and Jake also reflect on the impact of COVID-19, the divisions it exposed, the challenges facing New York, and Jake’s path into public service. As a member of the New York State Assembly, Jake discusses the importance of bipartisan work, common-sense leadership, and finding ways to deliver meaningful policy results even in a highly partisan environment. This first part of the conversation offers an insightful look into the origins of Jake Blumencranz’s values, leadership, and commitment to serving Long Island and New York State. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]