The Zekelman Holocaust Center

10/21/2026

Preserving memory begins with individual stories.

We're proud to celebrate Richard Brodsky, a member of The HC's Board of Directors and a Next Generation Speaker, on being named to Crain's Detroit Business' 40 Under 40 list.

Through conversations with family members, archival research, transport records, and survivor testimony, Rick helped reconstruct his family's Holocaust story and ensure it could continue to be shared with future generations.

Today, he shares that history with students at The HC, helping ensure the lessons of the Holocaust continue to reach future generations at a time when survivor testimony is becoming increasingly rare.

We're grateful for Rick's leadership, dedication, and commitment to remembrance and education. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Learn more:

Richard Brodsky, board member and Next Generation Speaker at The Zekelman Holocaust Center, was named to the Crain's Detroit Business 40 Under 40 list.

10/07/2026

Three years have passed since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, a day that forever changed Jewish communities around the world.

We remember those who were murdered, honor the survivors, and hold close the families and communities whose lives continue to be shaped by the events of that day.

The impact of October 7 did not end when the attacks stopped. In the years since, Jewish communities have faced a troubling rise in antisemitism, misinformation, and hatred. These challenges remind us why education, historical understanding, and moral responsibility remain as important as ever.

Yet alongside grief, we have witnessed extraordinary resilience. We have seen individuals and communities support one another, strengthen Jewish life, and respond to hatred with courage and determination.

At The Zekelman Holocaust Center, we reaffirm our commitment to engaging, educating, and empowering by remembering the Holocaust. On this anniversary, we renew our responsibility to confront antisemitism, preserve memory, and help build a society where people recognize our shared humanity and take responsibility for one another.

May the memories of those lost be a blessing.

10/06/2026

Our sold-out program, "Local Shadows, Local Courage," brought our community together to uncover a powerful chapter of Southeast Michigan’s history and reflect on the people who stood against antisemitism and N**i ideology.

Presented by The HC’s Senior Education Program Manager, Harry Smith, the program explored the stories, archival materials, and historic landmarks behind our region’s response to hatred.

We are grateful to Dr. Catherine Cangany of the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan for joining Harry in conversation and helping bring additional context and perspective to this important history.

The evening offered a meaningful reminder that courage and resistance can take many forms, and that the choices we make in the face of hatred matter. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important conversation. Together, we continue the work of preserving Holocaust history and sharing the stories of those who chose courage, resilience, and resistance.

09/24/2026

Join us Thursday, October 1, at 7:00 PM for "Local Shadows, Local Courage: Exploring Detroit’s N**i Past," hosted by The HC’s Senior Education Program Manager, Harry Smith.

Southeast Michigan carries its own Holocaust story, shaped by Jewish resilience in the face of local N**i sympathy. Through personal stories, archival materials, and images of historic sites, this program explores how people across our region confronted hatred with courage and determination.

Following the program, Dr. Catherine Cangany, CEO of the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan, will moderate a conversation exploring what this history reveals about our community and why it still matters today.

Free for members of The HC, or $10 per person, at https://29862.blackbaudhosting.com/29862/MI-and-the-Holocaust-Program-with-Harry-Smith

09/22/2026

On Sunday night, as worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur at Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, a gunman opened fire on Constable Jeff Smith, who was stationed outside at the congregation's request.

Const. Smith remains in critical but stable condition, facing a long road to recovery. We are grateful for his courage and are holding him, his family, and the Belleville Police Service in our prayers.

No one inside the synagogue was physically harmed, but a community was terrorized on its holiest night of the year. No one should have to fear violence while at prayer.

As an organization dedicated to Holocaust education and confronting hate, we stand with the Sons of Jacob congregation and with Jewish communities everywhere living through a rising tide of antisemitic violence.

We will continue to speak out, educate, and stand in solidarity whenever and wherever hate shows itself.

09/17/2026

We are pleased to announce award-winning actress and proud Jewish community leader Mayim Bialik as the Keynote Speaker for our 42nd Anniversary Benefit, whose grandmother and great-aunt were the only surviving members of her immediate family after the Holocaust.

A product of Jewish Federation scholarships, Mayim's experiences as a Jewish community leader date back to her college days and exemplify her long-standing connection to the Jewish people and dedication to making a positive impact as a proud and vocal Jewish woman.

Mayim uses her public platform to speak openly about the importance of standing up against antisemitism and serves as a strong voice in support of the global Jewish community and Holocaust education.

Celebrate 42 years of Holocaust education at our Anniversary Benefit on Sunday, November 8. For tickets, sponsorships, or more information, please visit https://holocaustcenter.org/events/anniversary-benefit/

Mayim Bialik |

08/31/2026

Behind every Summer Academy is a team of people who pour their time, energy, and passion into making it happen.

This year, our staff developed and led 24 hours of programming for 170 educators. From planning and teaching to facilitating sessions, preparing resources, answering questions, and welcoming educators, our staff brought care and expertise to every part of Summer Academy.

To The HC's incredible staff: thank you for everything you do!

08/20/2026

We strongly condemn the anti-Muslim and antisemitic demonstrations that took place Tuesday at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Centennial Library, where residents had gathered for a meeting of their city council.

We stand with our Muslim neighbors, who were targeted where they live before their elected representatives. No community should have to endure that, and no one should have to endure it alone.

We are particularly disturbed by the use of N**i symbols and imagery, including sw****ka flags, to promote hatred and intimidation. The invocation of N**i ideology has no place in our communities and carries the history of a regime responsible for the systematic murder of six million Jews.

At times like these, we must stand together and affirm that hatred and intimidation have no place in our communities.

The Zekelman Holocaust Center was founded by Michigan survivors who understood the consequences when antisemitism, dehumanization, and hatred are allowed to go unchecked.

We call on all people—regardless of faith, background, or political belief—to reject antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, and the targeting of any community through hatred and intimidation.

08/13/2026

What can a chestnut tree teach us about Holocaust history?

At The Zekelman Holocaust Center, the Anne Frank Tree offers visitors a living connection to Anne Frank and her legacy while also telling a larger story about the thousands of Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives here in Michigan.

Jamie Miskowski, our Senior Education Strategy Manager, recently spoke with WDET 101.9FM about the tree and what it can mean to those who visit.

“The tree is a living connection to who Anne Frank was and her legacy, but is also a symbol of the over 4,000 Holocaust survivors who came to Michigan after the war, who themselves put down new roots and built new lives, new families, new legacies, careers that outlived them, and found ways to thrive right here in our community.”

The tree reminds us that behind the history are individuals who experienced unimaginable loss, but also found ways to rebuild, create, and thrive. Plan your visit to The HC at holocaustcenter.org/visit.

Listen to the full interview at https://wdet.org/2026/06/26/the-anne-frank-tree-brings-hope-and-learning-to-visitors-of-zekelman-holocaust-center/.

08/10/2026

Behind every artifact, photograph, and testimony in our immersive core exhibit is a person whose life was forever changed by the Holocaust.

On our public tours, knowledgeable docents share these stories, offer historical context, answer questions, and highlight the experiences of survivors who rebuilt their lives in Michigan.

Join us for a guided tour:
➡️ Wednesdays at 3:00 PM (NEW)
➡️ Fridays at 1:00 PM
➡️ Sundays at 1:00 PM
Tours are complimentary with general admission.

Explore history through the stories that make it personal and see why remembrance begins with understanding. Plan your visit at holocaustcenter.org/visit.