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Writer Irene Miller
chronicles her
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Suzanne Chessler
I Contributing Writer
Bloomfield. "Nothing can compare to it.
"Of my three children, Naomi always was the one who
asked me to tell her about my life, but I kept postponing
efore the title page of Into No Man's Land: A
that because I was not eager to talk about those early
Historical Memoir, there is a picture of author
times.
Irene Miller. It shows her during the summer of
"After she died, I thought about all the things we
1939, when her family enjoyed a cottage in Poland.
didn't talk about. For me to put my memoir in the form
The image of a well-groomed youngster, showing
of talking to Naomi kept her name alive, and that was
braids secured by ribbons, stands in contrast to the bulk
satisfying."
of the text, which chronicles the deprivations she would
Miller, who earned three degrees in America and
later endure because of Nazi occupation and an escape
worked as a health-care administrator, began writing
to Soviet territory.
formally with a book about the mother-daughter rela-
Miller, often writing in the present tense, brings
tionship she cherished. Although Miller could not find
readers directly into the struggles she experienced over
a publisher for that book, she had academic encourage-
many years, from childhood into her teens. Generally
ment for her writing.
with her older sister, Halina, the author had to go
"The person who edited Naomi and I invited
through extended times separated from
me to take a class in advanced fiction writing at
their parents.
the University of Michigan," recalls Miller, who
The author describes
earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and
the desperation of hid-
a master's degree in social psychology from
ing from soldiers and
the University of Cincinnati before getting
seeking any token amount
a master's degree in business from Xavier
'S Land
of food and shelter.
University in Cincinnati.
pL Nk t
14,15 , r ovLi c
Ultimately, after recalling
"I took on the challenge about five years
her return to Poland, she
ago and wrote a chapter of Into No Man's
tells of the gratification of
Land as a free-standing story. It was read
reaching Israel and the United
by different students, all much younger,
States.
who found it interesting but did not
\ vow N \l\\ cc
Into No Man's Land
believe that it was real. I did not tell
(University of Michigan-
them it was my life story.
Dearborn; $15.99), available on
"I decided then that it was the time
amazon.com, takes its title from
to write this memoir. It flowed very
the times Miller's family had to
fast. While I was writing it, I was
survive in the out-of-doors. Those
reliving it. More than once, I shed
recollections will be discussed dur-
tears. The University of Michigan
ing two upcoming programs.
expressed an interest in publishing
Miller, a regular speaker at the
the book from a historical point of
Holocaust Memorial Center in
view."
Irene Miller on
Farmington Hills, will summarize her
Miller, twice divorced, uses her
Into No Man's Land:
memoir Tuesday, April 9, for members of a church
maiden
name to retain family iden-
"While I was writing
book club in Farmington Hills. She will sign cop-
tity.
She
is the only Miller left since
it, I was reliving it."
ies of her book 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the
her sister, residing in Israel, goes by
Holocaust Center.
her husband's surname.
"There is a kind of stereotype in thinking of the way
Miller's professional identity was established through
Jews lived in Poland before the war — that they were all
various positions. She has been assistant administrator
in shtetls and everyone spoke Yiddish:' explains Miller,
at Sinai Hospital, director of substance abuse treatment
whose prewar childhood was in the city of Warsaw.
at Detroit Medical Center and director of mental health
"My family's background and lifestyle were so differ-
for Livingston County.
In retirement from the health field, the author serves
ent from that. I wanted to give exposure to the idea that
Jews came from various walks of life and bring readers
as a volunteer mediator for the courts, board member
along with me on the journey."
of the American Jewish Committee and docent at the
Miller, who suffered through loss of family during
Detroit Institute of Arts.
Miller will have a speaking part in I Believe — A
the Holocaust, presents her story as if talking to her late
daughter, Naomi, the inspiration for an earlier writing
Shoah Requiem, a musical liturgy composed by Cantor
project.
Daniel Gross of Adat Shalom Synagogue. Dedicated to
Naomi, who died in a vacation accident long after her
the observance of Yom Hashoah, the cantata will be
mother settled in the United States, was a writer work-
performed at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at Orchestra Hall
ing in the film industry.
in Detroit and will be broadcast live on Detroit Public
Television-Channel 56.1.
"The worst experience in my life was the death of
my daughter when she was 28," explains the author,
"I have learned how to live with pain," she says. "In
who moved to Michigan in 1970 and now lives in West
spite of what I have gone through, I am a very positive
B
•
Escaping the Nazi horrors in Poland, Irene Miller expe-
rienced new terror in the Soviet Union, especially in
Siberia, where she encountered frigid weather and cul-
ture shock.
person. I look at the glass as half full and believe in the
power of the human spirit and the potential for good-
ness in each one.
"I think of myself as fortunate that I survived. More
importantly, I have been able to create a life that mat-
tered:'
Miller's current picture, on the back cover of her book,
shows a smile that seems to suggest somebody who has
made her life matter, further emphasized through speak-
ing engagements.
Open to diverse audiences and available through
nomanslandmiller@gmail.com, she has appeared before
school groups and non-Jewish religious organizations.
"I want to use this book as a platform for tolerance,"
she says. "That has always been part of my philosophy
and way of life. This book allows me to show an example
of what happens when there is no tolerance."
❑
Irene Miller will sign copies of her book 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, at the Holocaust Memorial
Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, in Farmington
Hills. (248) 553-2400; holocaustcenter.org . To
contact Miller regarding speaking to a group about
her book, email her at nomanslandmiller@gmail.
corn.
JN
April 4 • 2013
39