Ep 366: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Frank Pesce on hmTv

Ordinary Heroes – Episode 366 | Frank Pesce
Host: Bernie Furshpan | hmTv

In this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes, Bernie Furshpan sits down with faith leader and bridge-builder Frank Pesce, founder of Swords into Plowshares (S2PS), for a deeply personal and forward-looking conversation about hope, responsibility, and action in uncertain times.

Frank shares the vision behind S2PS — a global movement rooted in shared values, reconciliation, and turning conflict into constructive purpose. Together, Bernie and Frank explore the spiritual and human pull of Jerusalem, the urgency of educating young people in a world saturated by misinformation, and the importance of building real relationships across faiths, cultures, and nations.

The conversation touches on the Abraham Accords, agricultural and humanitarian initiatives in Israel, the power of the arts to heal, and why investing in the next generation isn’t optional — it’s essential. This episode is about choosing hope over despair, building bridges instead of walls, and proving that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

A timely, heartfelt dialogue for anyone who believes the future is still worth building.

Transcript

Ordinary Heroes – Episode 366

Host: Bernie Furshpan
Guest: Frank Pesce
Platform: hmTv / Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center

Bernie Furshpan:
Humanity matters.

Hello, and thank you for joining me. I’m your host, Bernie Furshpan, and this is Ordinary Heroes here on hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center.

Today I have a very special guest — a new friend, but someone who feels like family already. We’re cut from the same cloth. We come from the same fabric. And we’re both trying to do something meaningful with the short time we have on this planet.

If we can leave this world a little better than we found it, then we’ve done our job.

It’s my pleasure to welcome Frank Pesce. Frank, thank you for joining us today.

Frank Pesce:
Bernie, thank you. It’s an honor and a pleasure to be here. And I agree with everything you just said — we are absolutely cut from the same cloth.

Bernie:
You’ve done a lot in your lifetime, and now you’re spearheading a movement called Swords into Plowshares. That’s a powerful title. Tell us where that comes from.

Frank:
It comes from the Bible — specifically the Book of Isaiah, Yeshiyahu. It speaks about a time when nations will beat their swords into plowshares and learn war no more.

It’s a vision of hope. A future we can look toward. And quite frankly, it’s the battle strategy of Israel — not relying on chariots or horses or swords, but on the God of Israel, who promises to fight for His people.

We’re living in times where we need that help — and the good news is, He’s here.

Bernie:
I feel that deeply. I’ll be in Israel this coming week, and every time I drive up the hills of Jerusalem, my hair stands on end. There’s an energy there. A presence. It tells me I’m on the right path.

Jerusalem feels like home — for all humanity.

Frank:
What you’re experiencing is real. You can’t truly understand Israel or Jerusalem until you’ve been there. When you stand in the city of God, every preconceived notion gets challenged.

If your heart is open, you’re changed.

I remember flying in on my first trip, and the pilot said, “Next stop, the Holy Land.” There’s an awareness that Israel is called to be something unique — a light to the nations.

Bernie:
That sense of hope is why we’re hosting the Day of Hope in Jerusalem at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance — bringing together Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze — people from all backgrounds — through the arts.

Music and dance can heal what words cannot.

I grew up knowing the cost of hatred. My parents survived the Holocaust. My father lost his entire family. If they were alive today, seeing what’s happening in the world, their hearts would break.

That’s why education matters. Especially for young people.

Frank:
Absolutely. Today’s technology is programming us — shaping our thinking. What really matters is God, and our relationship with one another.

There is a way to reconcile — to build bridges — and that starts with shared values, mutual respect, and accountability.

That’s why Jews and Christians can walk together. And why Swords into Plowshares exists.

Bernie:
You truly are a bridge builder — between faiths, cultures, nations. You created S2PS as a global community. Tell us how that came together.

Frank:
We’re building something we don’t own — a values-driven community. We now have people involved across Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Africa, and the U.S.

The Ambassador Series grew out of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. We brought together ambassadors, government leaders, pastors, rabbis — people who can actually move the needle.

The idea is simple: relationships lead to action.

Bernie:
Does this connect to the Abraham Accords?

Frank:
Very much so. The Abraham Accords create opportunity — for cooperation, commerce, and peace. We’re helping leaders engage responsibly, build trust, and take action during this window of opportunity.

Peace may be temporary — but progress doesn’t have to be.

Bernie:
You’ve also taken the idea of plowshares literally — agricultural initiatives in Judea and Samaria.

Frank:
Yes. We support farming initiatives that strengthen communities on the land. We also respond relationally — tools, logistics, economic support — whatever’s needed in real time.

We believe in action.

Bernie:
If people want to support your work, how can they get involved?

Frank:
Visit s2ps.org or email me directly at frank@s2ps.org
. We believe in real collaboration — conversations first, projects second.

Bernie:
Frank, you are doing extraordinary work. People need to know that there are good people doing meaningful things in this world.

Frank:
Amen. And Bernie, thank you. What you’re doing matters more than you know.

Bernie:
Before we close — what’s your hope for young people and for Israel?

Frank:
We must invest in the next generation. They’re under immense pressure — especially from social media. If we don’t equip them with truth and courage, we lose them.

My own son travels with us. Not because he’s my son — but because he represents the future. We must empower young leaders now.

Bernie:
I couldn’t agree more. Education is the key. Young people are inheriting a broken world — but they don’t have to repeat it.

For those listening, learn more at s2ps.org. Get involved. Build bridges.

Thank you, Frank. And thank you to our listeners and viewers for joining us today on hmTv.

I’m Bernie Furshpan, and this has been Ordinary Heroes.
Have a great day.