Born in the Soviet Union, Semyon Pinkhasov immigrated to the United States in 1977. In addition to practicing physical therapy, he has served as Fencing Coach of the 1983 and 1987 U.S. Pan American Teams, the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team, and the 1981 and 1985 U.S. Maccabiah Team. He individually coached more than 20 winners of national and international competitions, including 16 U.S. National Foil Team Championships.
Semyone also lobbied extensively to have his cousin, pianist Vladimir Feltsman, be allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union, where he was being held as a “Refusenik”. Semyon’s campaign succeeded in 1987, with the help of a personal invitation from President Ronald Reagan to perform at the White House, which secured Mr. Feltsman's release. In 2000, Semyon started working with the media, hosting the Russian-language program “Diseases We Conquer”, in partnership with the Russian Television Company in New Jersey, and co-hosting the “News from Russia” program on Public Access Television in White Plains, New York. Soon after, Semyon turned his energy to making documentary films that focus on individuality in the face of totalitarianism. These draw inspiration from the interplay of the various aspects of his background and interests—the USSR, sport, media, politics and the arts. Semyon holds a Masters in Physical Education from the Russian Sports Academy and Bachelors in Physical Rehabilitation from New York University. He lives in New York. |