Exhibit detailing life in a female-only concentration camp opens at center

A new exhibit will be on display at the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus (www.holocaustcenter.org) in Farmington Hills, beginning on Sunday, March 11. The exhibit, "Women of Ravensbruck: Portraits of Courage," details the lives of those imprisoned at Ravensbruck, the Nazi's major concentration camp for women, with a special focus on the few survivors with ties to southeast Michigan. It will be on display through June 24. The exhibit will feature the stories of these locally based women, other survivors researched by the late artist Julia Terwilliger, and those who did not survive Ravensbruck. Terwillger's artwork has immortalized the faces of the women of Ravensbruck in one of the newest exhibits of Holocaust art to emerge. The exhibit will center around seven large wooden panels with mixed media and photo transfer images of Ravensbruck women, young and old, those who survived and those who did not. The collection also will contain original artifacts from the camp, including a handmade recipe book and gifts secretly exchanged by the women. Holocaust Memorial Center Executive Director Stephen M. Goldman conceived the idea for the exhibit in collaboration with guest curator Dr. Rochelle G. Saidel in 2001 while he was the director of the Florida Holocaust Museum. "This is a long overdue testament to these women who survived deplorable conditions and inhumane treatment," said Goldman. "We wanted to honor the local survivors of Ravensbruck and pay homage to all those who were imprisoned against their will - many of whom did not survive to see the camp liberated." The exhibit, on loan from the Florida Holocaust Museum, will feature both art and history. In addition to Terwilliger's artwork, the exhibit will include historical photographs, documents, and other informational materials plus rare artifacts. The exhibit is supported by Lauren and Sam Bienenstock in honor of their family members imprisoned at Ravensbruck, who will be featured in the exhibit. Florine Mark, president and CEO of Weight Watchers Group, will be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony on Sunday, March 11, at 2:30 p.m. Her speech, "The Courageous Woman Inside Each of Us," will honor the women of Ravensbruck and acknowledge all women as part of National Women's History Month. "We are very honored to have Florine Mark speak at the opening ceremony," said Goldman. "Her leadership role in the community and business expertise is an inspiration not only to women, but to all of us." 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 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 Holocaust Memorial Center is located at 28123 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. For addition information, call 248-553-2400, or visit www.holocaustcenter.org. Published: Wed, Mar 7, 2012