Me & Bernard

During Ride For The Living, we treated our riders and walkers to a LIVE taping of the season finale of our podcast, Me & Bernard, capping off a lifetime’s worth of stories from 96-years-young Survivor Bernard Offen. Now, we’re excited to announce that our live taping of Me & Bernard is now available to stream wherever you listen to podcasts! In this special episode, Jonathan and Bernard unpack some of season one’s most interesting and poignant moments, alongside our guest host and pod executive producer, Benjamin Lorch. If you haven’t been keeping up with the podcast, this is a great time to jump in. If you’ve been an avid listener, thanks for your support! Tune into this episode to relive some of the best moments from our first 13 episodes.

Thirteen episodes (plus a royal bonus!) of Me & Bernard now available! Your favorite podcast has crossed the threshold of Jewish maturity. Fittingly, in this episode, JCC Krakow CEO Jonathan Ornstein concludes his hours-long biographical interview with Polish-American-Polish Holocaust survivor Bernard Offen. After discussing Bernard’s past couple decades and return to his hometown, they speculate about the future of the show, where witty banter, topical musings, and entertaining guests will enliven your podcast libraries for many more episodes to come. Mazel tov, Me & Bernard!

In episode 12, the dynamic duo discuss Bernard’s return to Poland in the 1990s as part of his “self-confrontation in the process of healing.” A filmmaker himself, Bernard reflects on meeting Steven Spielberg, watching the production of Schindler’s List, and creating his own cinematic oeuvre. Bernard sheds insights into the themes and images central to his prior filmography while also divulging information about his plans for future projects!

“Me & Bernard” featuring JCC Krakow CEO Jonathan Ornstein and 95 year-young Holocaust Bernard Offen discussing Bernard’s fascinating life just hit 10 episodes! What stories does Bernie hold for us to celebrate this milestone? Well you just have to click to find out… (also - don’t forget to subscribe to get notifications on upcoming episodes!)

Bernard Rides For The Living! He also served as an infantryman in Korea, worked in the sheepskin trade on multiple continents, and started his own appliance-repair company—all in a ten-year stretch. Me & Bernard, the hit new JCC Krakow podcast featuring host CEO Jonathan Ornstein and 95-year-young Holocaust survivor Bernard Offen, returns for episode nine. As they continue the lively conversation about Bernard’s nine-plus decades (and counting), the dynamic duo also lends fascinating insight into American history. From the auto boom to martial romance, no topic is off-limits: tune in today!

Me & Bernard, the hit new JCC Krakow podcast, is back with another episode: number eight! Host CEO Jonathan continues his conversation with 95-year-young Holocaust survivor Bernard Offen about life, this time continuing the post-war chronology. Bernard shares stories and memories from the Land of Opportunity during ‘50s. The episode is titled, “Ice Cream, Chickens, Crashing Weddings & Korea,” so if you aren’t intrigued, what could possibly intrigue you?Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard OffenMusic by Lynda Kraar and Jaime ValentineProduction help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting

Be sure to listen to this week's special episode of Me & Bernard recorded on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau and Bernard's meeting with King Charles III. In this episode, you’ll not only hear about what the King is really like in-person, but also hear about Bernard's emotional experience returning to Auschwitz in much different circumstances after 80 years. On reflection of his experience at the 80th anniversary commemoration, Bernard has an important message about the importance of survivor testimony in this current historical moment.

God worked for six days, and then rested… but Jonathan and Bernard didn’t rest after making six episodes - they went ahead and made a seventh! Episode 7 of Me & Bernard, our original podcast, is now live on Spotify and Apple Music! In this episode, it’s 1946 and Bernard is known as “Bernie,” a 17-year-old in London, England. He’s learning English, but often skips class to go to the movies or go out dancing. While the horrors of the Holocaust are in the past, Bernie is still trying to process his trauma while starting his new life. You can’t miss this great episode - the next chapter of Bernard’s story!Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard OffenMusic by Lynda Kraar and Jaime ValentineProduction help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting