How One Person Can Make a Difference with Jeannie Opdyke Smith

Watch the full episode here!

Jeannie Opdyke Smith joins Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket to share the remarkable legacy of her mother, Irene Gut Opdyke — a Polish Catholic nurse who hid Jews in plain sight during WWII.

When Irene died, Jeannie discovered 11 unfulfilled speaking invitations and decided to honor them herself. That single choice launched her own mission: delivering 150‑plus talks a year and fostering more than 60 children.

Tune in for an incredible conversation about moral courage, intergenerational storytelling, and the power of small acts that can change lives.