The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg

The Ciesla Foundation is proud to commemorate 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. Included in the colorful collage of forty-seven interviews are Hank Greenberg and family members; sports figures Ira Berkow, Ernie Harwell, Joe Falls and Dick Schaap; fellow players Bob Feller, Charlie Gehringer and Ralph Kiner; fans Congressman Sander Levin and Senator Carl Levin; and actors Walter Matthau, Michael Moriarty, and Maury Povich.