16 | MAY 20 • 2021 A t the last live charity event at the Holocaust Memorial Center (HMC), a spark was lit inside Dr. Steve Shanbom. “During the event, they always ask all of the survivors to stand up and be recognized, and you just saw how few people are still alive who are survivors,” Shanbom said. “I thought we could spread the word to people and expose them to this.” Shanbom, an ophthalmologist in Berkley, has walked the walk in promoting Holocaust aware- ness by taking his staff to the HMC just before Passover. Shanbom said the idea of the trip was not only inspired by the HMC event, but also by fami- ly ties. His wife, Sherry, is the daughter of Holocaust survivors. “Because of that, we’ve always been involved in the Holocaust Center, going to the charity event every year and being donors to the cause,” he said. Due to survivors not being guides at the center right now because of the pandemic, Sherry served as a guide of sorts for the doctor’s staff. “She was able to read some of her parents’ story that’s been told to us and to the grandkids, so she was able to put a little perspective on it from a child of survivors,” Shanbom said. “She gave about a 10-minute talk, and then we walked through the museum together.” Shanbom received feedback from his staff about how interest- ing and shocking it was; much of the staff is not Jewish. “What I said as the take-home message was that these were people … just like you and me, and one day because of who you are, someone could come into your home and take everything. ” Shanbom’s goal in the visit is hav- ing Holocaust awareness snow- ball from his staff’s experience, and also to hopefully inspire other businesses to follow their lead. “I think as business leaders, we can impact our community by exposing our staff in hopes they take their own families, ” Shanbom said. “The more people are educated on this, the more you can mitigate the deniers, but it also can tell the story because the survivors themselves aren’t going to be around much longer to tell it. ” T hrift stores are a $10.6 billion industry in the U.S. with market size expected to increase by 2.3% in 2021. Council Re|Sale in Metro Detroit, operated by National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan (NCJW|MI), is meet- ing that demand head-on by holding Zoom workshops for budget-conscious fashionistas titled “Dressing is a Puzzle: Let’s Put it Together.” Council Re|Sale in Berkley is known for featuring high-end clothing including designer wear, professional attire, shoes and evening wear, all donated by members of the community. For example, currently on sale is an unworn bridal gown by French designer Lanvin, com- plete with $7,000 price tag, on sale now for $2,000 (U.S. Size 8 for interested brides-to-be). But Council Re|Sale also has fashion items from as low as $1. Store manager Delores Hendrix offers a new bargain every day, called “Delores’ Daily Deal,” plus frequent shoppers earn $10 Council Cash for every $50 pre-tax purchase to spend on a future visit. As for the Zoom workshops, Susie Jacob, a vice president at NCJW|MI, explained they were prompted by the age-old dilem- ma we all face. “You open up your closet and stare at so many clothes, then complain that you have nothing to wear. Our workshops will help everyone spruce up and reimagine their outfits and help solve the puzzle of what to wear,” she said. Two upcoming workshops will be held, the first on May 25 when Sandi Matz, a past president of NCJW|MI, will present “ AM to PM, The Knack of Dressing in Black.” On June 1, the program will be “ Accessories, Accessories,” showcasing how everything from shoes to hats, from jewel- ry to jackets, can create entirely new outfits with the clothes you already own. Both virtual work- shops begin at 7 p.m. and you can register at councilresale.net. “ All store proceeds support the projects we do to help Detroit-area women, children and families in need,” Jacob said, such as Back 2 School Store and Backpack Project for homeless children. “Our Kosher Meals on Wheels is another important project, and we have seen an increase in demand from vulnerable elders in our community since the pandem- ic.” Council Re|Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 3297 W. 12 Mile in Berkley. OUR COMMUNITY Sandi Matz shows off a black and white option. Council Re|Sale shop holds Zoom workshops for fashionistas. Council Re|Sale shop holds Zoom What to Wear? ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS RACHEL MATZ Steve and Sherry Shanbom sit in front of staff who toured the HMC. STEVE SHANBOM Ophthalmologist takes staf to Holocaust Memorial Center. Opening Eyes DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER