The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills will honor civic leader, educator, and advocate Zina Kramer at its 41st Anniversary Benefit, to take place on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.
Born to Holocaust survivors Sylvia and Harold Perlman, who escaped the Kovno Ghetto and helped others reach liberation, Kramer immigrated to Detroit with her family in 1947. Her upbringing, rooted in Jewish values and remembrance, has guided a lifetime of service. A former high school government and history teacher and a veteran of state government, Kramer has spent decades working to strengthen her community through leadership, education, and advocacy.
She currently serves as board chair of the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network and sits on the board of the National Archives Foundation. The 2025 benefit also will pay tribute to her late husband of 56 years, Michael Kramer, whose legacy of community service and commitment to Jewish life continues to guide their family.
“In a time of rising antisemitism, Zina Kramer’s voice and vision are more important than ever,” says Rabbi Eli Mayerfeld, CEO of the Zekelman Holocaust Center. “Her life reminds us that remembrance must be matched by action, and that one person’s dedication can help shape a better future.”
The center engages more than 100,000 individuals annually from diverse backgrounds across the state, offering immersive exhibits, firsthand survivor testimonies, professional development for educators, and resources to combat antisemitism and discrimination. To support these efforts, the Anniversary Benefit draws more than 1,200 guests to Detroit and raises vital funds for statewide Holocaust education and anti-hate programming.
For more information on the 41st Anniversary Benefit, including sponsorship and ticket details, visit holocaustcenter.org.
