The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus announced that it is hosting a museum tour and special presentation on Sunday, Jan. 26, in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Admission to the Holocaust Memorial Center, located at 28123 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills, is free all day. Donations will still be accepted.
A museum tour will take place at 1 p.m. and walks attendees through the museum dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust. Included among the stops is The Henrietta and Alvin Weisberg Gallery, featuring an authentic World War II-era boxcar. Visitors also will visit the popular Time Line, a circular exhibit that tracks the history of the Jewish people against major events in world history over a period of 4,000 years. Additionally, the tour will feature exhibits focusing on the story of World War II, firsthand accounts from Detroit area Holocaust survivors, and honors devoted to the thousands of non-Jews who saved, or tried to save, at least one Jew, knowing this action could place them immortal danger.
At 2 p.m., following a short memorial service, those not participating in the tour can attend a special presentation from World War II and decorated veteran Dr. Guy Stern detailing his family’s traumatic experience under Nazi rule, his fortunate escape to the U.S. and his return to Europe as an officer in the American Secret Service.
A member of the famed Ritchie Boys, Dr. Stern was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal and cited for his detailed statistical analysis of enemy divisions facing the First Army. The latter was of inestimable value to both higher and lower headquarters. He became a distinguished professor and senior vice president at Wayne State University. Stern is currently director of the Harry and Wanda Zekelman International Institute of the Righteous at the Holocaust Memorial Center. He is a frequent speaker to groups across North America and Europe.
The program is being made possible by the support of Pam and Ken Bloom and the David-Horodoker Organization (DHO). The DHO has a permanent exhibit on display at the Holocaust Memorial Center that celebrates and memorializes pre-World War II life in the Belarus Shtetl of David-Horodok. It includes family photographs as well as an interactive computer display enabling visitors to learn more about the people in the photos and determine if they might be related to any of them. DHO members also will be on site that day and available to speak with visitors.
The Holocaust Memorial Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 3:30 p.m.); and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (last admission at 1:30 p.m.). The museum is closed on Saturday and public holidays. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students and $5 for children.
The facility is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available at both the North and South entrances.
For additional information on the Holocaust Memorial Center, visit www.holocaustcenter.org, or call 248-553-2400.
