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. 

