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. 

