WATCH ON PBS

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IMDb Listing

Film Synopsis

What does it mean to carry memories of a history you never personally experienced? The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan explores that question through the life of an educator determined to turn his family’s suffering into a reason for others to care.

Directed by Christiane Arbesu, the documentary follows Dr. Bernie Furshpan as he shares his parents’ Holocaust experiences with students and communities. His father, Moshe, survived after escaping into the forest as a child, having lost his family. His mother survived separation from her own mother and years in a Christian orphanage. Their experiences shaped the household Bernie grew up in and the responsibility he carries today.

Born in Israel and raised in Brooklyn, Bernie built a life spanning chiropractic care, entrepreneurship, stand-up comedy, television production, and ownership of New York City’s Metropolitan Room. Today, as an educator, public speaker, and Vice Chair of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County, he brings those experiences to a mission rooted in remembrance, empathy, and human dignity.

This is a second-generation Holocaust film because it examines how the consequences of persecution reach beyond those who survived it. Through Bernie’s perspective as the son of two survivors, it explores inherited trauma, resilience, identity, and the responsibility of preserving testimony as living witnesses become fewer.

Moving between educational settings and personal reflection, the film connects family history with the choices people face today. Bernie challenges audiences to recognize antisemitism, question propaganda, confront prejudice, and understand what happens when human beings are treated as less than human. His encounters with young people bring these questions into everyday life: Who gets excluded? Who remains silent? Who chooses to help?

At its heart, The Weight of Memory asks what we will do with the history entrusted to us. Remembering honors those who were lost. Turning remembrance into action helps protect those who come next.

Filmmakers and Production

A Terrebonne Productions film, directed and written by Christiane Arbesu. Production credits include Christiane Arbesu and Bernard Furshpan. Featuring Dr. Bernie Furshpan.

Film Details and Where to Watch

• Year: 2025
• Language: English
• Runtime: Approximately 80 minutes. The PBS version runs 1 hour, 19 minutes, 48 seconds and includes closed captions.
• Awards: 17 international awards, as listed on the film’s official website, with recognition including a 2026 Bronze Telly Award in General Documentary.
• Streaming: Watch on PBS.org or through the PBS app. PBS currently lists availability through April 1, 2029.

Bring the Film and Its Message to Your Community

Schools, universities, museums, houses of worship, libraries, and civic groups are invited to inquire about hosting a screening and a conversation with Bernie.

Discuss a program combining the documentary with a speaker presentation, moderated discussion, or audience Q&A. Topics include Holocaust remembrance, second-generation responsibility, antisemitism, empathy, critical thinking, and the courage to become an upstander.

When requesting a program, please include your organization, location, preferred dates, audience age range, expected attendance, and available program length. Contact Bernie to discuss availability, screening arrangements, and a format suited to your community.

Press and Coverage

“An intimate and urgent film.”
Roksana Amid, LI Herald, quoted in The East Hampton Star.

“Offers a blueprint for healing and hope.”
James Lane Post, June 15, 2025.

Read the Times of Malta profile, exploring Bernie’s family history, educational mission, and personal connection to Gozo.