OCTOBER 14 • 2021 | 21

just a story in a book,” Singer said. “It’s
amazing to be able to meet someone who
has shown so much positivity throughout
their life even though they suffered such
tragedy and such tremendous loss, but
they’re happy and thriving and still telling
their stories to these young people so we
can make sure this never happens again.”
Famie, after about two years of filming,
believes the song and scene at the Berman
Center wraps the film up perfectly.
“The song takes the audience on a jour-
ney through the lives of young people, the
lives of civil rights, the lives of the Holocaust
and the lives of oppression. It takes them
all through that, and then the Holocaust
survivors and the Shoah Ambassadors film
becomes a catalyst to human rights globally,
not just the Holocaust,
” Famie said.
“The most exciting part today was the
Holocaust survivors enjoyed it,” Famie
continued. “They were tapping their feet
and clapping their hands and they’re say-
ing they love the song. It touches me to see

them get excited about being part of some-
thing. If nothing else, we made their lives
more enriched today from this moment.
The idea was to bridge those big genera-
tion gaps, and we did it.”
Shoah Ambassadors will premiere at
a community showing Nov. 11 at the

Emagine Novi Theatre and make its debut
on DPTV/PBS on Nov. 18. PBS is also look-
ing at a second airing in December.

Famie and the Shoah Ambassadors team are still rais-

ing the necessary funds to ensure the film production

will be seen internationally. To learn more about the film

and/or to support, visit shoahambassadors.com.

Shoah Ambassador Curtis Bates sings as final
filming takes place outside the Berman Center.

The generations come together as
Holocaust survivors, the Detroit
Children’s Choir and the Shoah
Ambassadors participate in the filming.

“IT’S REALLY GIVEN ME A NEW INSIGHT AND PERSPECTIVE
ON LIFE AND HOW PEOPLE REALLY CAN MAKE IT THROUGH

THINGS YOU WOULDN’T EVEN BE ABLE TO IMAGINE.”

— SHOAH AMBASSADOR CURTIS BATES

Shoah Ambassadors Curtis Bates and Hailey Callahan,
the Detroit Children’s Choir and Michigan-based
Holocaust survivors gather for final filming.

Camera focuses on Holocaust survivor
Fred Lessing, subject of award-winning
short film Bear and Fred.