Holocaust Memorial Center to Open “The Last Goodbye” Exhibit, Dec. 4

Nov. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus (www.holocaustcenter.org) will be opening its newest exhibit, “The Last Goodbye,” on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Beginning at 3 p.m., at the Holocaust Memorial Center located at 28123 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills, the event kicks off with a viewing of the film “Nicky’s Family” in conjunction with the Voice Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive.  “Nicky’s Family” is a documentary that tells the story of the children whose parents were desperate enough to send them away to safety as part of the mass evacuation of nearly 10,000 children before the outbreak of World War II.

“The Last Goodbye” highlights the rescue of tens of thousands of children from Nazi Europe in the program known as the Kindertransport.  A new part of the International Institute of the Righteous at the Holocaust Memorial Center, it is the story of the unaccompanied child refugees admitted to Britain on the Kindertransport, including those rescued by Nicholas Winton, and highlights issues relating to prejudice, racism and indifference.

The panels that will be on display are adapted from the original exhibition at the Jewish Museum London and designed to complement the Kindertransport Quilts interactive exhibit.  Together, these two exhibits provide additional examples of altruistic behavior and reveal the many faces and some of the consequences of rescue behavior.


“Nicky's Family” is a gripping documentary film with re-enactments of the rescue operation by Sir Nicholas Winton that has no parallel in modern history.  His exploits would have probably been forgotten if his wife had not found a suitcase 50 years later in the attic, full of documents and transport plans.  

“Nicky's Family” tells the story of Winton, an Englishman who organized the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II, which is part of the Kindertransport.

The film demonstrates that members of “Nicky's Family” are not only the thousands of people who owe their lives to Sir Nicholas Winton, but also all those who want to do something positive for the world. Winton, now 102 years old, did not speak about these events with anyone for more than half a century.

Admission to this opening of “The Last Goodbye” is free.  Complementary cappuccino and refreshments also will be available following the film.  For further information regarding the film or the dedication ceremony, call 248-553-2400.

It is the mission of the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus to remember those who perished and those who survived the Holocaust and, in a world increasingly faced with sectarian strife and intolerance, to set forth the lessons of Holocaust as a model for teaching ethical conduct and responsible decision-making. By highlighting those individuals who, in the midst of evil, stood for the best, rather than the worst of human nature, the Holocaust Memorial Center seeks to contribute to maintaining an open and free society.

The facility is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available at both the North and South entrances.

For more information on the Holocaust Memorial Center, visit www.holocaustcenter.org, or call 248-553-2400.