The Zekelman Holocaust Center

The Zekelman Holocaust Center Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower by remembering the Holocaust. Plan your visit today. The Zekelman Holocaust Center opened in 1984.
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Local Holocaust survivors, with community support, founded the museum to teach about the senseless murder of millions, and why everyone must respect and stand up for the rights of others if the world is to prevent future discrimination, hate crime and genocide. As Michigan’s only Holocaust museum, The Zekelman Holocaust Center annually touches the lives of more than 150,000 individuals, who leave

the museum profoundly affected with a newly acquired sense of history, social responsibility and morality. The Zekelman Holocaust Center’s exhibits create a call to action, teaching visitors through the examples of those who risked their lives to save others, and asking its guests to react to contemporary challenges such as racism, intolerance, bullying and prejudice.

We strongly condemn the anti-Muslim and antisemitic demonstrations that took place Tuesday at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Cent...
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.

What can a chestnut tree teach us about Holocaust history?At The Zekelman Holocaust Center, the Anne Frank Tree offers v...
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/.

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

Art has the power to preserve memory, challenge perspectives, and connect us to history in deeply personal ways.As part ...
08/07/2026

Art has the power to preserve memory, challenge perspectives, and connect us to history in deeply personal ways.

As part of the joint Association of Holocaust Organizations (AHO) and Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) conference, museum professionals gathered at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) for an afternoon exploring the role of art in education, interpretation, and public engagement.

The program featured a fireside conversation between James Snyder of The Jewish Museum and Judith Dolkart of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where they examined how museums care for collections, engage diverse audiences, and create meaningful opportunities for learning through art.

These conversations closely reflect The Zekelman Holocaust Center's approach to Holocaust education. Throughout our museum, artwork created by Holocaust survivors and witnesses serves as powerful visual testimony to document acts of resistance during imprisonment, preserving lived experiences, and providing enduring evidence of the crimes and atrocities they witnessed. By presenting these works alongside survivor testimony and historical artifacts, art becomes an essential tool for remembrance and education.

The partnership between the DIA and The HC highlights the important role Detroit's cultural institutions play in preserving history, advancing scholarship, and helping audiences connect with the past through multiple forms of expression.

History is strengthened when institutions learn from one another.During the joint Association of Holocaust Organizations...
08/03/2026

History is strengthened when institutions learn from one another.

During the joint Association of Holocaust Organizations (AHO) and Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) conference, attendees gathered at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for an afternoon exploring the role museums play in advancing education, preserving memory, and strengthening communities.

The program opened with remarks from Neil Barclay, President and CEO of The Wright, whose leadership has helped expand the museum's role as a national voice in African American history and culture. Throughout the afternoon, museum professionals engaged in conversations examining the shared responsibility cultural institutions have to tell difficult histories with authenticity, compassion, and purpose.

One of the standout sessions featured Barclay alongside Jessie Kornberg of the Skirball Cultural Center and Lizzi Meister of The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience for an in-depth discussion about how museums can expand their interpretive frameworks to more fully honor the lived experiences of the people they serve. Together, the panelists explored the importance of inclusive storytelling, community engagement, and creating spaces where multiple perspectives can be seen, understood, and remembered.

The visit reflected the collaborative spirit that defined the conference. Together, Detroit's cultural institutions continue to lead important conversations that extend far beyond their walls, advancing scholarship, strengthening partnerships, and preserving history for generations to come.

Our recent screening of the award-winning documentary “Among Neighbors” with filmmaker Yoav Potash brought our community...
07/31/2026

Our recent screening of the award-winning documentary “Among Neighbors” with filmmaker Yoav Potash brought our community together to explore memory, moral courage, and the responsibility to confront difficult truths. By sharing the experiences of those who witnessed both compassion and betrayal during the Holocaust, the film reminds us that preserving Holocaust history means embracing its full complexity.

We are especially grateful to Yoav for sharing his work and for his kind words about our community:

"I was so impressed by The Zekelman Holocaust Center and the community that supports it. Sharing ’Among Neighbors’ with you, and receiving such warmth, thoughtful conversation, and a standing ovation, meant so much to me. Thank you for welcoming me so generously."

The thoughtful questions, meaningful dialogue, and shared commitment to remembrance made this an unforgettable evening. Together, we continue the work of preserving Holocaust history, not only to honor those who came before us, but to help shape a more informed future.

If you were unable to join us, “Among Neighbors” is available to stream on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Thank you to the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation for helping make Holocaust education engaging, relevant...
07/31/2026

Thank you to the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation for helping make Holocaust education engaging, relevant, and accessible.

At the heart of this conference was a shared question: How can museums carry the lessons of the past forward?Participant...
07/28/2026

At the heart of this conference was a shared question: How can museums carry the lessons of the past forward?

Participants from the joint Association of Holocaust Organizations (AHO) and the Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) conference gathered at The Zekelman Holocaust Center for a day focused on the evolving role of museums in Holocaust education, public history, and community engagement.

Throughout the day, museum leaders participated in behind-the-scenes gallery experiences, explored the Center’s exhibitions, and connected with colleagues from across the country around the challenges shaping the field — from exhibit redesign and student engagement to archival practices, survivor testimony, and emerging technologies.

One meaningful example of this work was the plenary session, “One Museum, Dual Stories: Integrating Regional Jewish History and Holocaust Education.” The discussion brought together the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, and the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center to explore how regional Jewish histories can strengthen Holocaust interpretation and create richer experiences for visitors.

As the host institution, The HC was proud to bring together leaders from across the museum field for meaningful dialogue that will continue influencing Holocaust education and museum practice beyond the conference.

“Be kind to everyone because we are all humans and everybody needs to be treated right and have kindness in their life.”...
07/24/2026

“Be kind to everyone because we are all humans and everybody needs to be treated right and have kindness in their life.” - Anna from Lake Orion, Michigan

Every day, visitors leave handwritten reflections like this in our Remembering the Holocaust: A Call to Action gallery. These messages remind us that learning about the Holocaust isn’t just about understanding history; it’s about choosing how we show up in our communities today.

Visit The HC to learn, reflect, and share the difference you want to make. holocaustcenter.org/visit

Thank you to Next 50+ Community Center for joining us at The HC for a day of learning, reflection, and conversation.
07/24/2026

Thank you to Next 50+ Community Center for joining us at The HC for a day of learning, reflection, and conversation.

Address

28123 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI
48334

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 3pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(248) 553-2400

Website

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