The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has announced a $15 million gift from the Zekelman family and Zekelman Industries.

The single largest donation in the center’s history is the lead gift in the center’s $100 million comprehensive campaign will establish an endowment fund aimed at providing support for facilities maintenance, boosting operational funding, and enabling the center to expand special event, traveling exhibit, and educational offerings. With the latest gift, the Zekelman family has committed $25 million to the center.

“We are truly humbled by and grateful for the continued generosity of the Zekelman family and Zekelman Industries,” said Holocaust Memorial Center CEO Rabbi Eli Mayerfeld. “This major donation will enable us to expand the important work we do to teach the lessons of the Holocaust and confront antisemitism and hatred.”

“We’ve always been impressed by the positive and lasting impact the Holocaust Memorial Center has had on millions of lives, it’s truly inspiring. With antisemitism and hate crimes on the rise, we feel a sense of urgency to help organizations, like the Holocaust Memorial Center, that are passionately working to combat it,” said Zekelman Industries chairman and CEO Barry Zekelman. “As a leader in our industry, we lead from the front and encourage philanthropic activities by our employees, business peers, and industry at large. In the communities where we have facilities, our employees engage deeply with their individual volunteer efforts, as well as raise and donate significant funds to a variety of causes.”

(Photo credit: Dave Parker via Wikimedia, Creative Commons 3.0)