In this special live episode, hear from critically acclaimed actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg, who headlined the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center’s 2025 Upstander Awards Gala.
“Strangely, through my work—especially including A Real Pain—I’ve gotten closer to my faith and my ancestry than anything I learned about when I was a kid.” — Jesse Eisenberg
In this conversation with the Holocaust & Humanity Center’s CEO Jackie Congedo, Eisenberg reflects on his Jewish identity, the role of memory and intergenerational trauma, and how his film A Real Pain became a deeply personal exploration of heritage, healing, and storytelling. Eisenberg wrote the screenplay for A Real Pain, for which he earned an OSCAR nomination.
Raised on the East Coast but now calling the Midwest home, Jesse shares how connecting with Jewish communities in places like Bloomington, Indiana, has deepened his appreciation for cultural identity. He also discusses the power of storytelling to build empathy and inspire action, especially in a world that needs more everyday upstanders.
The Upstander Awards gala capped off Cohen Family Upstander Month, a citywide celebration honoring those who stand up for others and drive change in their communities. Supported by the Cohen Family and presented by Duke Energy, the Mayerson Family Foundation, and Procter & Gamble, the month includes engaging programs that encourage participants of all ages to discover their own upstander potential.
This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity
Our gratitude to Margaret & Michael Valentine for their ongoing support of this series.
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Episode Resources
Learn more about the Cohen Family Upstander Month
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/events/upstander-month
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