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New Leader At JCRC
Kindertransport
survivors at
the Holocaust
Memorial Center
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Celebrating Life
Kindertransport event brings clarity
for generations.
L
Esther Allweiss Ingber I Contributing Writer
fingering questions were answered
London, for the 50th and 75th anniver-
and bottled-up feelings explored
saries of the Kindertransport.
at one electrifying workshop
during the weekend conference,
EMOTIONS EXPLORED
"Generations Together: Our Heritage and Maniker said the workshop, "Learning
the Future:"
From Each Other; was most illuminating
The Kindertransport Association, led
to her. Karen and Simone Lindenbaum,
by KTA president and filmmaker Melissa the mother-daughter facilitators, had
Hacker of New York City hosted the Oct.
each generation answer others' ques-
9-11 event at the Westin Southfield Hotel tions about their experience with the
and the Holocaust Memorial Center
Kindertransport.
(HMC) in Farmington Hills.
The Kinder (plural for
The KTA was founded to
Kindertransport children) gen-
commemorate and educate
eration had very different memo-
about the unique episode in
ries. One woman said she had a
Jewish history that was the
mental block and remembered
Kindertransport. After the dev-
nothing about the train ride. A
astating Kristallnacht pogroms
man said the separation from his
of November 1938, the British
parents was very traumatic. He
government allowed 10,000
was 6 and his sister, 14, wasn't
Edith Ma niker
with him: "I never got over it:'
precious Jewish children from
The English foster families the
Germany and Austria to travel
to safe haven in England just ahead of
Kinder were placed with could be caring,
the brewing war. Other children went to
and some friendships continued after the
Sweden.
war. But not always. One Kind recalled
"eating with the family the first night,
The weekend for 116 registrants,
including several family groups, included and then with the maid after that. I was
Shabbat dinner featuring guest speaker
cheap labor and exploited:'
Stephen Goldman, HMC executive direc-
The group discussed whether Kinder
tor. Detroiter Alana Knoppow, who has
should be considered Holocaust survi-
worked with Holocaust survivors since
vors. One woman said a "pecking order"
2008, was a workshop leader. There were puts Auschwitz survivors at the top, fol-
also film screenings, speakers at meal-
lowed by other camp survivors, hidden
children and finally Kindertransport
times and a Saturday evening program
children.
featuring Mark Hetfield, president of
the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and
"I always call myself a survivor; said
performer Daniel Cainer. The HMC tour
another woman. "I raised myself:'
included seeing the Kindertransport
In the K2 (second generation) session,
Memory Quilt Exhibit.
a woman said her cohort didn't press
Edith Maniker of Southfield, a
to hear their Kind parents' stories, then
Kindertransport child (referred to as a
were surprised to hear their parent speak
more openly with grandchildren. The
Kind), said her mother and father, Trudy
and Abraham Gruenbaum, placed her
K2s jointly feel a responsibility to pre-
on a Kindertransport train to England.
serve their parents' memories.
A sister, Paula, also survived and came
The K3s attended the conference out
with Edith to the United States in 1947;
of love for their grandparents, whether
but their selfless parents perished.
still living or deceased.
Participating in the conference was
Most from this third generation said
also part of continuing education for
they want to know more about the
HMC docent Art Kirsh of Southfield
Kindertransport.
and Maniker, a docent for 23 years. She
"It's made me part of who I am:' a
also attended KTA conferences twice in
young man said. *
24 October 29 2015
JN
D
avid Kurzmann has been
appointed executive direc-
tor of the Jewish Community
Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit
(JCRC). He succeeds Robert Cohen, who
is retiring after 10 years in the position.
Kurzmann is a
native Detroiter, a
graduate of Hillel
Day School, a mem-
ber of the founding
class of the Frankel
Jewish Academy and a
University of Michigan
graduate with a bach-
David
elor's degree in Hebrew
Kurzmann
and Jewish cultural
studies and political science.
He had been assistant regional director
of the Anti-Defamation League Greater
Chicago/Upper Midwest Regional Office
since 2010. Previously, he worked as pro-
gram assistant at the Illinois Holocaust
Museum and Education Center, where he
helped coordinate the museum's grand
opening in 2009 and later facilitated pub-
lic programs for diverse audiences.
"We are very fortunate to have the
skills and experiences David will bring
to our agency and our community:' said
Richard Krugel, JCRC president. "We
were looking for someone who shares
JCRC's commitment to community rela-
tions and Israel advocacy, and who is
especially prepared to lead the agency as
it begins to implement its new strategic
plan. David stood out as possessing those
assets, but he also will bring new capaci-
ties to JCRC in fundraising and organiza-
tional development:'
Kurzmann and his wife, Kate, will live
in Royal Oak.
Last fall, Robert Cohen announced his
decision to retire from JCRC at the end of
2015. He and his wife, Nancy, are relocat-
ing to Sarasota, Fla.
"Robert strengthened JCRC's media
relations, Israel advocacy and crisis man-
agement capabilities, and effectively rep-
resented Detroit's Jewish community in a
broad range of community relations and
government relations activities:' Krugel
said. "We greatly appreciate his steady
leadership:' *
Jewish War
Veterans To Join
Shabbat Services
The Jewish War Veterans of
Michigan have been invited
to participate in the Shabbat
service 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov.
7, at Temple Shir Shalom in
West Bloomfield. All veterans
and families are encouraged
to attend.
The following Saturday,
Nov. 14, the Jewish War
Veterans are also invited to
attend the 9:30 a.m. Shabbat
service at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.
All veterans are asked to
join their troop members and
are requested to dress with
JWV caps.
JBAM
leaders
Ellie Mosko;
Jonathan H.
Schwartz,
Rachel Loeb!
JBAM-Chabad Event
Draws Young Lawyers
On Monday, Oct. 19, the Jewish Bar
Association of Michigan and Chabad of
Greater Downtown Detroit hosted their
second annual "Young Lawyer Happy
Hour" at the Two James Spirits tasting
room in Detroit's Corktown district.
More than 50 legal professionals came
together to network, establish friendships
and have a great time.
Pro-Palestinian Demonstration In West Bloomfield
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered
on the southeast corner of Orchard Lake
and Maple roads around 6 p.m. last Friday.
West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael
Patton said the protest was unannounced
and lasted several hours without inci-
dent. Officers were on the scene, mainly
because of traffic safety concerns with
protesters so close to the road.
Around 7 p.m., a pro-Israel group of
demonstrators gathered across the street.
Both groups had signs and flags. Some of
the pro-Palestinians held signs declaring
Israel an apartheid state.
"Protesters were chanting,'2, 4, 6, 8,
Israel is a terrorist state;" said Heidi Budaj,
Michigan regional director of the Anti-
Defamation League.
"Holding such a protest in a predomi-
nantly Jewish area on Friday evening
when Jews pass the intersection on the
way to synagogue is certainly intended
to make Jewish people uncomfortable in
their own community;'she said. *