14 | JULY 18 • 2024 
J
N

A 

new Holocaust 
memorial concept is 
hoping to take ground 
in Metro Detroit.
As the brainchild of 
Assembly of the World 
Diasporas, an organization 
that works in different 
countries to unite leaders 
of various ethnic groups 
and diasporas, the Gate of 
Immortality — Holocaust and 
Heroism Memorial plans to 
honor those subjected to the 
horrors of World War II and 
the tragedy of the Holocaust 
with memorials worldwide.
Now, the concept also 
hopes to address rising global 
antisemitism as a result of the 
ongoing Israel-Hamas war, 
which has hit especially hard 
on college campuses.
The first Gate of 
Immortality site has been 
secured in Queens, N.Y. The 
memorial will be placed on 
the south side 
of the Queens 
Borough Hall in 
one of New York 
City’s biggest 
Jewish enclaves. 
Ilya Bromberg, 
77, of Oak 
Park, who is the Midwest 
representative of Assembly 
of the World Diasporas, is 
working to identify a Metro 
Detroit site next.
While a site hasn’t been 
secured yet, Bromberg says 
there are many possibilities in 
the Metro Detroit community, 
which is home to numerous 

iconic Jewish institutions 
such as The J-Detroit, 
Zekelman Holocaust Center, 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek 
and beyond.
Currently, Assembly of the 
World Diasporas is welcoming 
interested parties to contact 
the organization about being 
the potential home of the 
Metro Detroit memorial or to 
discuss funding opportunities 
to facilitate the creation and 
build-out of the project.

HONORING THE PAST
The Gate of Immortality 
— Holocaust and Heroism 
Memorial will include four 

main elements. Centering the 
concept is the main gate of the 
composition, which will be 
formed by two vertical walls 
representing the walls of the 
Old City of Jerusalem.
The names of the places of 
mass exterminations of Jews 
during the Holocaust will be 
engraved on the inner surfaces 
on one of the walls. The other 
wall, meanwhile, will have 
official data engraved on the 
number of Jewish soldiers who 
fought against the Nazis.
Bromberg says the walls 
will also be designed in a way 
that can be used to display 
holographic and/or laser 

projections of drawings and 
paintings by children from 
around the world on the 
theme of “A World Without 
Hate,” as well as work by 
renowned artists.
Projections can also 
include thematic exhibitions 
showcasing historical 
photographs, videos, artifacts 
and more surrounding World 
War II and the Holocaust. The 
walls will also be installed on 
a pedestal-like stage made in 
the form of the Star of David.
At the base of the Star of 
David will be illuminated 
sculptural images and 
imprints of Nazi symbols, 

Assembly of the World Diasporas seeks a home for the idea.

New Holocaust Memorial Concept 
Eyes Metro Detroit

Ilya 
Bromberg

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

ASSEMBLY OF THE WORLD DIASPORAS

A sketch of the proposed memorial

