Holocaust Memorial Center Offers Docent Training

The in Farmington Hills is looking for people interested in a unique volunteer opportunity.

“We are looking for very special individuals,” explained Dr. Stuart Falk, who heads the Center’s Docent Steering Committee. “The effort requires a long- term commitment, self-motivation and textbook study. It is a wonderful opportunity and rewarding, enriching experience for people who want give back to the community and enlighten visitors on the atrocities and lessons learned from the Holocaust.”

The training begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2011. There will be four additional Sunday morning sessions including a make-up session for any sessions missed. In addition, a detailed mentoring process is planned at later dates.

The program focuses on people who wish to meet the challenge of becoming certified docents, who will guide groups on 90-minute walking tours of the Holocaust Memorial Center, explaining the exhibits and interpreting history and lessons to be learned. College, high school and middle school students are among the many groups who visit the museum.

Robert Zuckerberg of Farmington Hills has been a docent for seven years. He became a volunteer at the suggestion of a close friend, a Catholic priest, who had recently visited the Holocaust Memorial Center.

“Being a docent is more than imparting history lessons,” said Zuckerberg. “We deal with altruism and diversity. When I lead tours of students, it gives me the opportunity to reach out and talk to them about taking responsibility and making right choices.”

Sue Krolikowski of Grosse Pointe Woods also has been a docent for seven years. Krolikowski, who is not Jewish, makes the 27-mile trip to the Holocaust Memorial Center to volunteer because of her interest in history and her desire to make a difference.

“I don’t wish to be a bystander. The message and lessons learned from the Holocaust are too important not to share,” said Krolikowski. “Most of the tours I lead are middle or high school students, who draw parallels between the Holocaust and today’s problems such as intolerance and bullying.”

The training will take place at the museum, located at 28123 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills, and will be led by the Docent Steering Committee. At the conclusion of the training, prospective docents will be given an assignment to prepare them for certification.

Typically, docents volunteer during the day, Sunday through Friday, and can commit as much time as they wish. Schedules are flexible.

For information on the docent training, contact Falk at 248-855-2152, or Selma Silverman at 248-553-2400, ext. 12.