Irene Miller
Irene Miller was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1932. When Germany invaded Poland, Irene’s family tried to flee to the Soviet Union and was stranded for several weeks in “no man’s land.” They made it across the Russian border and were later deported to Siberian labor camps, where they suffered from hunger and exposure. In 1942, they were set free and went to Uzbekistan, where they continued to struggle to survive and where her father died in an epidemic. Irene and her sister were sent to an orphanage to avoid starvation. After the war, Irene returned to Poland and lived in a Polish orphanage for 4 years before immigrating to Israel. In Israel, at the age of 18, she married a man from Detroit and a few years later immigrated to the U.S.
“Only in a country where all minorities have full rights and freedom can Jews as one of the minorities have all of their rights safeguarded. Become active towards this objective, don’t just be a bystander with good intentions; promote justice, tolerance, and diversity.”
More Survivor Stories
Survivor Talk Sundays
Join us on Sundays at 12pm to hear first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors that now live in Michigan.
Educator Workshop with the Institute for Curriculum Services: Exploring the Multifaceted Identities of Jewish Americans
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Educator Workshop with the Institute for Curriculum Services: Jewish Immigration, Restriction, and Resettlement
This educator workshop examines Jewish immigration to the United States from 1880 through the post–World War II era within the broader context of American immigration history. Participants analyze primary sources…
Educator Workshop with the Institute for Curriculum Services: Exploring the History, Traditions, and Beliefs of Judaism
This educator workshop explores Judaism as one of the world’s oldest religions and as a living culture shaped by history, tradition, and resilience. Designed for Michigan educators, the session examines…
Intensive Holocaust Education Workshop for Genesee Intermediate School District Teachers
Join us for an intensive workshop on Trauma-Informed Practices, Art as Resistance, and Voices of Survivors on Thursday, May 7, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at The Zekelman Holocaust…
Educator Workshop: Next Generation Speaker Talk With Norman Beitner
Hear from Norman Beitner, a child of a Holocaust survivor and Next Generation Speaker at The HC. The Next Generation Speaker Series will be a monthly, virtual opportunity for educators…
Arthur Horwitz Book Launch: Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow
The Holocaust Center is proud to host the official book launch of Arthur M. Horwitz’s book, “Dual Identities: Living in Meier’s Shadow.” A photograph. A secret. A lifetime of responsibility.…
Educator Workshop: Next Generation Speaker Talk With Linda Cohen
Hear from Linda Cohen, a child of a Holocaust survivor and Next Generation Speaker at The HC. The Next Generation Speaker Series will be a monthly, virtual opportunity for educators…
Educator Workshop: Women and the Holocaust
The Holocaust was not a gender neutral event. Women experienced the Holocaust differently and were targeted specifically based on their gender. Centering the experiences of women provides a more complete…