Pick Your Battles: A Conversation

Dan Berschinski and Josh Lesser both set out to make the world a better place.One studied Torah to heal the world.The other studied at West Point to prepare for war.In an unusually candid conversation between two people whose professional lives are light years apart, they talk about different paths – with different risks.Moderated by award-winning journalist Andy Segal.Joshua Lesser became a rabbi knowing that a significant part of the Jewish community would reject him because he was openly gay. Since his ordination 20 years ago, he has continued to fight for human rights and social justice. “I feel the grace of taking chances on people,” he says, “for the greater good.”Dan Berschinski, from Peachtree City, led an infantry platoon in Afghanistan. His military career was cut short when he stepped on an IED – losing both legs and nearly dying. On that same day, just hours earlier, something even worse happened: A soldier under Dan’s command was killed. But despite everything, he says, “It was the best job I’ve ever had.”Moderator Andy Segal is a documentary producer whose work at CNN has been recognized with Emmy, Peabody, and DuPont Awards. He and his wife, Ellen Mazer, have been CBH members since 1996.Join the conversation:What risks are you willing to take?