Ep 633: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Jolanta Zamecka P2 on hmTv

Ep 637: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Rena Kesten P4 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] In the concluding episode of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli continues his powerful conversation with Rena Kesten about the extraordinary life and legacy of her grandfather, Colonel Sekunda, a Jewish armored commander in the Soviet Army during World War II. Rena reflects on her grandfather’s postwar military service in Germany, his return to Ukraine, and the emotional scars he carried after years of combat. Although his soldiers affectionately called him “Father” and he helped lead Soviet forces from the Eastern Front into Berlin, antisemitism prevented him from receiving the full recognition he deserved. The conversation examines the economic chaos and political repression of postwar Soviet life, the erasure of Jewish military contributions, and the dangerous myth that Jews did not fight against Nazi Germany. Rena also shares her efforts to bring her grandfather’s rare photographs and remarkable story into classrooms, museums, and the broader historical record. Through family memories, preserved artifacts, and firsthand reflections on communism, immigration, and the American dream, this episode honors a courageous officer whose leadership helped defeat the Third Reich and whose story deserves a permanent place in history. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 636: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Rena Kesten P3 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] In Part 3 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with Rena Kesten through a remarkable collection of photographs documenting her grandfather’s service as a Jewish Soviet tank commander during the final Battle of Berlin. The images reveal destroyed streets, armored units, Soviet officers planning attacks, damaged German tanks, soldiers moving through trenches, and Rena’s grandfather standing beside the tanks he commanded. Rena also shares how he survived the war without being wounded, developed strong relationships with senior commanders, and used courage, discipline, and even music to reassure the soldiers under his command. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Rena explains how her grandfather helped evacuate military families ahead of the German invasion of Ukraine. His decision saved numerous women and children, while relatives who remained behind were murdered at Babi Yar. The episode also explores the aftermath of victory, the rapid shift from wartime alliance to Cold War suspicion, Soviet antisemitism, and the photograph of Rena’s grandfather with American soldiers that he was forced to remove from the family album to protect himself. Through rare artifacts and family testimony, this episode preserves the story of a courageous Jewish officer whose leadership helped defeat Nazi Germany and save lives both on and beyond the battlefield. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 635: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Rena Kesten P2 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] In Part 2 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with Rena Kesten, exploring the remarkable military history of her grandfather, Colonel Sekunda, a Jewish armored commander in the Soviet Army during World War II. Rena recounts how her grandfather led his soldiers out of German encirclement during the opening days of Operation Barbarossa, survived the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, and rose from captain to colonel while commanding a tank brigade of approximately 60 tanks and 1,300 soldiers. The episode also examines the antisemitism he faced within the Soviet system. Despite being twice nominated for the prestigious Hero of the Soviet Union award, he was denied the honor because he was Jewish. Through rare military documents, photographs, and family artifacts, Rena reveals his role in the liberation of Belarus, the Soviet advance through Poland and Germany, and the final Battle of Berlin. This powerful conversation restores an overlooked Jewish military leader to the historical record while highlighting courage, leadership, sacrifice, and the importance of preserving family memory before it disappears. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 634 The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Rena Kesten P1 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] In Part 1 of this compelling episode of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli welcomes Rena Kesten for a deeply personal conversation about immigration, Jewish identity, family memory, and an overlooked chapter of World War II history. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Rena shares her childhood memories of life under Soviet communism, her family’s difficult journey to freedom through Vienna and Italy, and their eventual resettlement in the United States. She reflects on the loss of religious tradition, the antisemitism experienced by Soviet Jews, and the challenges her parents faced while rebuilding their lives in America. The conversation also introduces the extraordinary story of Rena’s grandfather, a Jewish colonel and armored commander in the Soviet Army whose service in the fight against Nazi Germany was largely excluded from history. Through family photographs, military records, and inherited stories, Rena begins uncovering his journey from an impoverished orphanage to military academy, chemical defense training, and command of a tank battalion at the beginning of World War II. This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every military campaign are families, sacrifices, and stories that deserve to be remembered. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]

Ep 633: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Jolanta Zamecka P2 on hmTv

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/fan_mail/new] In Episode 633 of Influential Origins on hmTv, host Alan Mindel continues his compelling conversation with Jolanta Zamecka about the Katyń massacre and the decades of Soviet oppression that followed World War II. Jolanta shares personal and family experiences of life under communism, when the truth about Katyń was forbidden, resistance fighters were persecuted, private property was restricted, and fear and propaganda shaped everyday life. The conversation examines how the Soviet Union weakened Poland’s military, intellectual, and civic leadership while imposing nearly half a century of political control. Alan and Jolanta also explore Poland’s remarkable transformation after communism, the importance of a free press and open borders, and Poland’s powerful response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Jolanta recounts helping organize a major demonstration in support of Ukraine and reflects on the responsibility each person has to stand against oppression. This timely episode reveals how authoritarian governments manipulate history, control information, and silence opposition—and why those who have experienced tyranny often understand the value of freedom most deeply. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449781/support]