PSU professor to present little-known story in New York and New Zealand on same day

A Penn State professor will present his research about a secret, illegal 1947-49 operation in New York at 4 pm Nov. 8 and in New Zealand at 5 pm (NZDT) the same day.

Penn State assistant professor and award-winning filmmaker Boaz Dvir will discuss the little-known story of World War II aviators—mostly Americans, Jews and non-Jews—who raced against the clock to prevent what they viewed as an imminent second Holocaust.
The presentations—hosted by the New York-based Sousa Mendes Foundation and B’nai B’rith New Zealand, respectively—are free, open to the public, and virtual.

NEW ZEALAND VIEWERS:  Please REGISTER HERE for the NEW ZEALAND EVENT, which will begin at 11 pm Nov. 7 Eastern Time (ET) USA, and 5 pm, Sunday, Nov. 8 (NZDT).
For further details regarding the film and the speakers, please visit SOUSA MENDES FOUNDATION WEBSITE but please DO NOT register on this site.  For the New Zealand event REGISTER HERE.

“THIS IS CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR THOSE OF US IN NEW ZEALAND BECAUSE OF THE RISE OF FRINGE ULT-RIGHT ELEMENTS SEEN DURING THE 2020 ELECTION CAMPAIGN”
Dr Jim Salinger, Regional President, B’nai B’rith New Zealand.

Dvir, who teaches journalism at Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, has produced a PBS documentary, a Retro Report short, and a Rowman & Littlefield book about the operation:

  • “A Wing and a Prayer”—Roku and Plex recently added this hour-long PBS film, which won Best Documentary at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, to their free-movie offerings.
  • “Israel Survived an Early Challenge”—Apple News recently added this 8-minute Retro Report documentary.
  • “Saving Israel: The Unknown Story of Smuggling Weapons and Winning a Nation’s Independence”—The 320-page book is available in hardcover, digital, and audiobook formats on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible, and other websites and stores.

In his recent “Saving Israel” review for “Military Review,” Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen S. Harvey wrote, “This well-written book leaves the reader in suspense after many of the narrated scenes .… it affords the reader a geopolitical ‘big picture’ understanding .… This is a must read for those interested in military history, geopolitics, or solving complex problems while dealing with many people and their personality proclivities.”