Category: Podcasts

Argentina and Iran: 25 Years After the Worst Terror Attack in Latin America

7/15/2019

(Washington, D.C., July 15, 2019)--In the 25 years since the deadly terror attack on the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires – the heart of the Jewish community in Argentina – no one has ever been brought to justice. In the latest B’nai B’rith International podcast, Special Advisor on Latin American Affairs Adriana Camisar joins CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin for a conversation on the attack that killed 85 and wounded more than 300.

Camisar and Mariaschin discuss the repeated miscarriages of justice that have pervaded the decades-long investigation into the bombing, which was perpetrated by terrorists linked to the government of Iran and Hezbollah.

They also discuss the murder of AMIA case Prosecutor Alberto Nisman in 2015, who became regarded as the last victim of the terrorist attack.

In addition to the history of the case, Mariaschin and Camisar discuss the current state of affairs: whether achieving justice for the bombing’s victims is a realistic possibility, how the media continue to cover the case, how the United States can assist diplomatically and other pressing issues.

To listen to the podcast, click here.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org

Filmmaker Aviva Kempner Delves Into The Life Of The Baseball Player Who Spied On Nazis, On B’nai B’rith’s Podcast

5/29/2019

(Washington, D.C., May 29, 2019)--Aviva Kempner, the award-winning director best-known for documentaries about baseball player Hank Greenberg and radio and television star Gertrude Berg, joined B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin for a discussion on her latest film project, “The Spy Behind Home Plate.” The movie focuses on the life of Moe Berg, a Princeton and Columbia-educated professional baseball player who spoke 10 languages and spied for the U.S. during World War II. Berg’s role during the war was especially notable because he was a Jew who gathered intelligence to use against Germany. According to Kempner, Berg was a “perfect pick” to serve in the American intelligence apparatus: “The type of people [that] you had to put in [undercover missions] were cool under pressure,” “were very bright,” “could speak a lot of languages” and “knew the customs of Europe.” As someone who was “called the brainiest man in baseball,” Berg was well-suited for his espionage role.

Berg played for five teams throughout his time in professional baseball, including stints of several years with the Chicago White Sox, the Washington Senators and the Boston Red Sox. While still a player, he is said to have begun his espionage career while gathering intelligence on a trip to Japan, where he traveled with other MLB players including Babe Ruth, in the 1930s. Years after his trip to Japan, Berg became involved with the brand-new Office of Strategic Services (OSS), an American intelligence service that predates the CIA. In this role, he served his country by gathering information about the German nuclear program.

Kempner and Mariaschin discuss Kempner’s personal connection to Berg’s story and her underlying mission as a filmmaker focused on documentaries about Jews who defy stereotypes and make history. Kempner’s parents raised her with a strong Jewish identity, and it frustrated her that so many popular culture portrayals of people who saved Jews during the war only portrayed non-Jewish saviors.

Partially to counter this troubling cultural trend, Kempner has devoted her film career to documenting the lives of “Jewish heroes that break the stereotypes and fought -isms.” Berg, a good-looking, athletic spy who used his skills to fight back against Nazism, certainly fits the bill.

To listen to the full discussion on our podcast, click here. To watch a trailer for “The Spy Behind Home Plate,” click here.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org

Argentina and Iran: 25 Years After the Worst Terror Attack in Latin America

Filmmaker Aviva Kempner Delves Into The Life Of The Baseball Player Who Spied On Nazis, On B’nai B’rith’s Podcast

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