Me & Bernard

About Me & Bernard

Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 96, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting About Jonathan Ornstein Since its opening in April 2008 by King Charles III, Jonathan has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, Poland, an organization devoted to rebuilding Jewish life in Krakow. The JCC boasts over 1,000 Jewish members, welcomes 10,000 visitors a month and is one of Poland’s most visible signs of Jewish revival. He created Ride For The Living and Holocaust Survivor Day, two global initiatives with tens of thousands of participants. Prior to the JCC’s opening, he taught Modern Hebrew at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University Department of Jewish Studies for 6 years and founded the “Gesher” association for Polish-Israeli dialogue. A native of New York City, Jonathan moved to Israel in 1994, living for 7 years on a kibbutz in the Negev desert and served in a combat unit in the I.D.F. before moving to Poland in 2001. He is a founding member of the Krakow Association of Christians and Jews where he serves as vice president. He also serves on the boards of the Krakow branch of the Child Survivors of the Holocaust organization, Hillel Poland, JCC Global, and the Abraham Global Peace Initiative. Jonathan, a primary architect of Poland’s contemporary Jewish rebirth, is a frequent international speaker and media contributor on issues relating to Jewish Poland, and an activist for Holocaust survivors. About Bernard Offen Bernard was born on April 17, 1929, in Krakow. He is a survivor of Plaszow, Julag, Mauthausen, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Dachau concentration camps, and now tells his story as an educator and filmmaker. It took Bernard many years to return to Krakow after the war and confront his demons. The Krakow Jewish community is honored that he now chooses to spend so much time with us as an active JCC Krakow member. About JCC Krakow Established and opened by His Majesty King Charles in 2008, JCC Krakow now boasts 1,100 Jewish members including 58 Holocaust survivors, and is the beating heart of Krakow’s growing, vibrant Jewish community. Our bright, colorful center with over 60 full time staff and a volunteer team numbering close to 150, welcomes local Jews and non-Jews with innovative, inclusive programming 7 days a week and hosts 100,000+ visitors a year. In 2023, we continued to rebuild Jewish life in Krakow with weekly Shabbat dinners, celebration of Jewish holidays and dedicated programming for the entire range of our community from preschool kids to Holocaust Survivors. Our reborn Jewish community, always mindful of the Jewish idea of “Tikkun Olam” or repairing the world, continued to support Ukraine by directly feeding, housing and providing psychosocial support to approximately 400,000 Ukrainian refugees, 98% of whom were not Jewish. On October 7, after the brutal Hamas led attack, we opened an “Israeli Safe Space” in our center and welcomed and helped dozens of Israeli families seeking support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Jonathan Ornstein

Category

education · history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Oct 2024

Latest episode

17 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Jul 2025

   Me & Bernard LIVE Special

   Host Jonathan and Holocaust survivor Bernard Offen revisit season one's poignant stories with guest Benjamin Lorch during a live podcast taping, offering listeners a chance to reflect on impactful moments.

2. 

   12 Jun 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 13

   JCC Krakow CEO Jonathan Ornstein interviews Polish Holocaust survivor Bernard Offen about his later life and return to his hometown, as they consider the podcast's future.

3. 

   22 May 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 12

   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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   17 Apr 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 11

   Like any pair of good friends, CEO Jonathan and Bernard have a podcast together. Oh, and it’s really, really good! Tune in today for episode 11, newly released in honor of the birthday festivities. This dynamic duo continues their chronological recounting of Bernard’s incredible life—with plenty of hilarious digressions! This time, they offer an unflinching account of the ‘70s, from marital malaise and activist awakenings to hippie happenings and Israel trips (literally: including rabbinically administered LSD in Jerusalem!). Learn about the origins of Bernard’s film passion and bold decision to spend years in a mobile camper. You just might be convinced to drop everything and start pursuing your own dreams… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   27 Mar 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 10

   “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!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   13 Mar 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 9

   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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   27 Feb 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 8

   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 Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   6 Feb 2025

   Me & Bernard - The Royal Special

   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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   23 Jan 2025

   Me & Bernard - Episode 7

   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 Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    9 Jan 2025

    Me & Bernard - Episode 6

    Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 95, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    19 Dec 2024

    Me & Bernard - Episode 5

    Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 95, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    22 Nov 2024

    Me & Bernard - Episode 4

    Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 95, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    30 Oct 2024

    Me & Bernard - Episode 3

    Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 95, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    30 Oct 2024

    Me & Bernard - Episode 2

    Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 95, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

15. 

    30 Oct 2024

    Me & Bernard - Episode 1

    Join host Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, in an exclusive podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with his friend Bernard Offen, 95, a Holocaust Survivor from Krakow, Poland who survived five concentration camps. In this series, Bernard shares his powerful life story, detailing his experiences growing up Jewish in pre-war Poland and his fascinating life after the war. Interview by Jonanthan Ornstein with guest Bernard Offen Music by Lynda Kraar and Jaime Valentine Production help from Benjamin Lorch at The Berlin School of Podcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

11

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Me & Bernard

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.