The 2026 Darren M. Latimer Lecture on Jews and Sports
Film Screening and Talk Back with Director Aviva Kempner
“The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg”
October 21
4:00pm
2212 Levy Hall (232 N Park St)
About the Film
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.
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Aviva Kempner’s acclaimed documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, the film has been remastered and rereleased 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.
About the Director
Aviva Kempner, a Washington, D.C.-based filmmaker, creates successful and critically acclaimed documentaries about under-known Jewish heroes and social justice. Her other films include The Spy Behind Homeplate, Rosenwald, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, Partisans of Vilna, Imagining the Indian, and A Pocketful of Miracles.
The Latimer Series was established and endowed by Ken Latimer (BS ’66) and his wife Carole Latimer, together with their family and friends, in memory of their son, Darren M. Latimer (BBA ’96).
Co-sponsored by UW-Madison Hillel
For a PDF of this poster, click here