From the Director
So many
exciting things
are happening at
your Holocaust
Memorial Center.
On Yom HaShoah,
the largest audi-
ence in HMC
Stephen M. Goldman
history, 800
people, gathered to commemorate the
Day of Remembrance. The audito-
rium and classrooms overflowed with a
standing-room-only audience. As we
remembered and celebrated the lives of
our Shaarit Haplaytah and all survi-
vors, and honored those who perished,
candles were lit, Ani Maramin chanted
and a special Kaddish read responsively.
Immediately thereafter, 450 people
gathered in the museum for the dedi-
cation of the Portraits of Honor exhibit,
dedicated by Leo Eisenberg and Shari
Ferber Kaufman to their parents. This
new exhibit brings the latest technol-
ogy and opportunities for distance
learning to the Holocaust Memorial
Center. Web-based and accessible
from any computer or smart phone,
this is the future of museums — and we
are at the forefront!
Others visited Barsamian's ex-
hibit, 20 Years-Searching for the
Answer, which opened recently to
great response from the Armenian and
Chaldean communities. Many were in
attendance at the daily public tour and
the Host Docent programs, which are
teaching young and old about Jewish
history, the Holocaust, and doing the
right thing.
On May 15, our annual sympo-
sium, co-sponsored by the Michigan
Council for the Social Studies, focused
on bullying, an important and current
topic. The symposium was moved to
Sunday to accommodate a larger audi-
ence, and was comprised of the highest
caliber of academic excellence. It was
President's Message
When we
hosted the annual
community Yom
HaShoah corn-
memoration, the
array of faces in
attendance — from
Survivors to sec-
Gary Karp
ond and third gen-
eration and individuals throughout the
wider community — was particularly
compelling evidence of the Holocaust
Memorial Center's renewed spirit and
vital messages of hope and tolerance.
Our docents, volunteers and staff
have also been very busy assisting the
growing number of schools that are
visiting the HMC. Activity is robust!
Attendance by a broad and diverse
range of student and community
groups is critical to our continued suc-
cess and relevance.
As we embark on our campaign
of new exhibits, both permanent and
temporary, our focus and purpose
remains resolute. YOU are the key to
our success in teaching and promot-
ing tolerance, building bridges to the
community at large and securing our
future.
There are exciting opportunities
taking shape for the upcoming year.
Our annual dinner takes place on
September 18, 2011 and we're looking
forward to a fabulous evening. From
membership initiatives to volunteer
activities to Board initiatives, there
are many ways to become involved.
We are constantly being inspired by
the individuals who walk through the
corridors of the HMC and leave with
sense of purpose to participate in this
institution.
Former German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroder said in January of
2005 "... from the Shoah and Nazi
terror, a certainty has arisen that can
best be expressed by the words "Never
Again." It is our mission to preserve
that certainty." In December of 2010,
a Holocaust survivor and speaker said,
"If I saved one person today, it's worth
my effort." We share that philosophy.
New Website Coming Soon!
attended by teachers, parents, students,
and the general public.
We have scheduled special exhibits
through 2012, in addition to lectures,
films and programs for the coming
year. Our reputation is bringing us
programs, exhibits, and opportuni-
ties from international sources which,
in turn, bring us attention from our
region and across the United States.
The Holocaust Memorial Center will
host the June 2012 Association of
Holocaust Organizations' annual con-
ference (the 2014 conference will take
place in China) and, in cooperation
with the Charach Gallery and Shalom
Street, the 2012 annual conference
of the Council of American Jewish
Museums.
As you can tell, I am very excited
to be part of this growth and the
new spirit that is evident within the
walls of your Holocaust Memorial
Center. What you may not see or feel
is the challenge in front of museums,
synagogues, and the non-profit world
throughout the nation. If the pro-
gramming is to continue, if we want
to reach the young people of metro
Detroit, if what we desire is to make
the Holocaust Memorial Center a ma-
jor cultural institution, we need each
of you to make it happen. Please make
a commitment to the HMC: become
a member, plan to leave a legacy for
future generations, and visit often.
The Center is ever new, ever fresh, and
waits for YOU.
Oh, I forget to mention...watch for
the arrival of our Holocaust-era boxcar
and the environment we have planned
for it. This new major acquisition will
be just the beginning of our exterior
expansion. You can be part of this,
too; as Theodore Herzl said, "If you
will it, it is no dream."
Ask a Host Docent!
As the school year draws to a close and summer approaches, scheduled
tours are less frequent, and visitors often tour the museum without the
benefit of a guide. As a result, the Docent Steering Committee has insti-
tuted a "Host Docent" program, which aims to enhance the experience of
the self-guided visitor. Host Docents are happy to answer questions, in-
terpret exhibits, and suggest resources and visitors are encouraged to reach
out to the Host Docent during their visit to the museum.
Host Docents are scheduled daily and can be easily identified by the
big blue and white "May I Help You?" pin. Additionally, in the near
future, a photo and the name of the scheduled Host Docent will be on
display near the reception desk.
Please call 248.553.2400 x10 for more information about the summer
tour schedule and the Host Docent program.
Summer Educational Institute Scheduled
From August 15-19, in association with Eastern Michigan University, the
Holocaust Center will offer "Reading the Holocaust: A Seminar for Teachers."
This class will allow participants to obtain three undergraduate credits, three
graduate credits, or 9 SB-CEUs.
The Teacher Seminar is designed for current educators and education stu-
dents. Themes include genocide, racism, ethics, and altruism. Participants
can expect to gain high-quality classroom resources and a solid foundation in
Holocaust and genocide studies.
Sessions will be taught by faculty members from Eastern Michigan
University, the University of Michigan, the University of Michigan-Dearborn,
and Grand Valley State University. All class sessions will be held at the Holocaust
Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus. This seminar is offered on a com-
petitive basis, with preference given to current educators.
For more information, please contact Julie Knutson at 734.487.3152 or
jknutson@emich.edu .
We are excited to announce the forthcoming launch of a new website.
During the last few months, we have been re-envisioning the website to more
closely represent the spirit, energy and renewed sense of purpose that has been
driving the Center. The site will have a new look, easier navigation, and a
more intuitive member and donation
interface. We are also hard at work on
both revising our existing content and
We are seeking adult volunteers who can give a half-day weekly or bi-weekly to assist guests in the Doris and Eric Billes
developing new content. The exact
Museum Shop. Training is provided. The shop is open Sunday through Friday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and during spe-
date of the launch of the new website
cial events. Prior retail experience is a plus but not a must. No heavy physical work is involved and there are accom-
is still to be determined. Stay tuned!
modations for those who cannot be on their feet for long periods of time. Interested? Call 248.553.2400, ext. 12.
2 HOLOCAUST Ma40RI4L CENTER 12011 no.1
ZEINTLLMAN FAMILY CAMPUS