JULY 18 • 2024 | 15 J N or fragments of the gates of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. To honor the memory of Jews transported to extermination camps via railroad, the Star of David will also have a symbolic circular single rail of railway in the shape of an ongoing loop. PROMOTING PEACE With the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz coming up in January 2025, as well as the growing antisemitism plaguing Jews worldwide, Bromberg believes there’s no better time than now to honor our Jewish memory, history and survival. “The mission of the memorial is to combine universal humanitarian values, historical facts, national Jewish symbols and traditions, and the horrors of the tragedy of European Jewry as an expression of sympathy and solidarity,” he says. The Gate of Immortality — Holocaust and Heroism Memorial will also honor the bravery of Jewish soldiers across nations who gave their lives to defend world freedom. Assembly of the World Diasporas asks that the Metro Detroit Jewish community weigh in on the concept and provide feedback or any ideas about the Jewish landmark. Authors, organizers and sponsors will have their names engraved on the memorial. For Bromberg, a Soviet Jewish immigrant who grew up in Kyiv next to Babi Yar, the notorious mass extermination site of Jews during World War II, it’s a project near and dear to his heart. Throughout the decades, Bromberg has worked closely with Yad Vashem to collect 700 Holocaust survivor testimonies throughout the U.S. and Canada. He’s also collaborated with the Riga Ghetto Museum and organized exhibitions in New York and Chicago. The Michigan Holocaust memorial concept is next on his to-do list. Metro Detroit’s Jewish community is hopeful the project will take fruition. “The Holocaust was the greatest tragedy in human history, with more than 6 million Jews murdered for the ‘crime’ of being Jewish,” says Charles Silow, Ph.D., director of the program for Holocaust survivors and families at Jewish Senior Life. “As we remember the tragedy of the Holocaust, it is the hope that we treat all human beings with kindness and respect no matter our race, religion, ethnicity or gender. “All memorials that serve to preserve the history of the Holocaust help us see where hatred and bigotry can lead,” he continues. “Hopefully, this new memorial that will honor European Jewry as well as the Jewish soldiers who fought during World War II will help send messages of tolerance and respect and will help prevent history from repeating itself.” For more information, visit http:// diasporasworld.org. 50 350 200 WE STILL NEED 20 HOST FAMILIES. For the seventh time in history, the world’s largest Jewish youth event is happening here… but we still need 20 host families to help make the JCC Maccabi Games® a success. If you can open your home (and your heart) from July 28 through August 2, please sign up now. MaccabiDetroit.com