20 | FEBRUARY 9 • 2023
OUR COMMUNITY
A
pproximately 100 staff
members from the Detroit
Pistons organization visited
the Zekelman Holocaust Center (The
HC) on Jan. 24 for a day of education,
connection and conversation.
This was a follow-up to vice
chairman of Pistons Sports and
Entertainment Arn Tellem’s honor and
speech at the HC’s Anniversary Benefit
in November. Tellem oversees Pistons
basketball and business operations as
well as its numerous community ini-
tiatives. He and his wife, Nancy, were
honored at the benefit for their con-
tributions to the Detroit business and
philanthropic communities and their
dedication to ensuring that the lessons
of the Holocaust empower
people today.
“When we honored Arn and Nancy
for the dinner, it was really important
to Arn that the story of the impact of
the Holocaust be understood and be
told,
” said Rabbi Eli Mayerfeld, CEO of
The HC. “He felt he has an opportuni-
ty to tell it to the people he works with,
and then they have the opportunity to
tell it to the people who listen to them.
That’s really something that gives us a
tremendous opportunity.
”
The day was especially meaningful
for Tellem, who lost relatives during
the Holocaust.
“I think what says it all is our organi-
zation wanted to do this, and they’re all
here,
” Tellem said. “We had an amazing
turnout. I think that speaks volumes
to our commitment to learning, edu-
cating, making a difference in this
Detroit Pistons organization spends a
sobering, inspiring day at the Zekelman
Holocaust Center.
Beyond
Basketball
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF THE HC
Rabbi Eli
Mayerfeld, CEO of
The HC, speaks at
the event.
Local Holocaust
survivor Sophie
Klisman shares
her story.