August 3, June Zero

In 1962, the world witnesses the execution of Adolf Eichmann in an emotional public trial. And in Israel, 3 characters are intimately involved in this historical, nation-defining event. (1:45)

Patio Hosts: Sharon Heyman and Barry Zitser

Martin Kessel

Martin Kessel will discuss the background to “June Zero” based on his personal experience living in Israel 

This movie is set in Jerusalem 1961 during the Adolf Eichmann trial.  Martin was 24 and living in Israel then. He had recently completed his undergraduate degree in Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. At the time of the trial, he was working for the Israel Ministry of Agriculture in Jaffa in south Tel Aviv. A bustling part of town with old Moslem and British Mandate style buildings, cafes, and small restaurants.

 A few years earlier (1957), Martin made Aliyah (immigrated) from South Africa and was living with his then wife and family in Rehovot, a relatively small town about 20 miles south of Tel Aviv.

Martin has a PhD in Microbiology from Hebrew University.  Dr. Kessel was a faculty member of Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School from 1972-1994 (retired Professor Emeritus).  Martin served as a reserved duty soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)from 1966-1984.  Subsequently, Dr. Kessel became a Research Scientist at the National Cancer Institute, NIH and retired in 2018.

Martin is a Vice-President at the Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation and is the Artistic Director of the “Sounds in the Sanctuary” concert series.

Martin and his wife Gail are residents of Bethlehem, NH.