The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
An Aviva Kempner Film
The Ciesla Foundation is proud to announce that it will be commemorating the 25th anniversary of Aviva Kempner’s acclaimed documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, by remastering and rereleasing the film in stunning 4K resolution. This project also marks the 90th anniversary of the iconic moment when Hank Greenberg, in an inspiring act of faith and integrity, chose not to play in a crucial pennant race game to observe Yom Kippur.
“The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg” is a humorous and nostalgic documentary about an extraordinary baseball player who transcended religious prejudice to become an American icon. Detroit Tiger Hammerin’ Hank’s accomplishments during the Golden Age of Baseball rivaled those of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. This compelling documentary examines how America’s first Jewish baseball star was a beacon of hope to American Jews who faced bigotry during the Depression and World War II.
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Awards and Recognition
– 2011 WJFF Visionary Award Winner Aviva Kempner
– Peabody Award Winner 2001
– Best Non-Fiction Film 2000 New York Film Critics Association
– Best Documentary 2000 National Board Review of Motion Pictures
About the Director
Aviva Kempner is a Washington, D.C.-based filmmaker, creates successful and critically acclaimed documentaries about under-known Jewish heroes and social justice. Her other films includeThe Spy Behind Homeplate, Rosenwald, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, Partisans of Vilna, Imagining the Indian, and A Pocketful of Miracles.
The Ciesla Foundation
Founded in 1979 by Aviva Kempner, The Ciesla Foundation (pronounced CHESH-lä) produces documentaries highlighting untold stories of Jewish heroes who challenged negative stereotypical Jewish images and others who fought fascism, sexism, racism, and anti-Semitism. Ciesla is a 501(c)(3) public, tax-exempt educational organization.