38 | AUGUST 24 • 2023 

Twenty-three new United 
States citizens representing 18 
countries worldwide accepted 
the rights and responsibilities 
of American citizenship at a 
naturalization ceremony held 
at The Zekelman Holocaust 
Center in Farmington Hills 
on Friday, July 21. 
 Judge Bernard Friedman 
of the U.S. District Court 
Eastern District of Michigan, 
a staunch supporter of The 
HC who often brings law 
enforcement professionals for 
tours and trainings, adminis-
tered the Oath of Allegiance 
to the new citizens, many of 
whom were accompanied by 
family and friends.
In welcoming the new cit-
izens, he acknowledged the 
difficult journey immigrants 
often make when coming 

to the U.S., and he celebrat-
ed their role in enriching 
American democracy. “I 
encourage each of you to 
exercise your right to vote, 
and to use your voice to 
speak out against injustice,” 
he told them. 
Rabbi Eli Mayerfeld, CEO 

of The Zekelman Holocaust 
Center, said it was a privilege 
to host the ceremony. Just as 
the immigrants who built The 
HC to memorialize their his-
tory and shape a community 
for generations strengthened 
American society, so, too, 
do new immigrants. “As you 

become U.S. citizens,” he 
told the group, “cherish your 
personal histories while you 
participate in our democracy. 
Your actions will help create 
a better world, one where we 
take responsibility for one 
another, one in which we 
strive to perfect our union.” 

Twenty-three 
people took 
the oath of 
citizenship at 
The Zekelman 
Holocaust 
Center.

faces&places

 The HC Hosts 
Naturalization Ceremony 

A child plays with an 
American flag at the 
naturalization ceremony.

New citizens take part 
in the naturalization 
ceremony. 

Ruth Bergman and Rabbi Eli 
Mayerfeld of The Zekelman Holocaust 
Center with Judge Bernard Friedman

Judge Bernard Friedman 
administers the oath to 
new citizens.