The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills will host a program examining Southeast Michigan's ties to Nazi-era antisemitism on Thursday, Oct. 1.

"Local Shadows, Local Courage: Exploring Detroit's Nazi Past" runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road. Tickets cost $10 or are free for center members. Registration is available through the center's event page.

Harry Smith, senior education manager at the Zekelman Holocaust Center, will lead the program. He plans to use personal stories, archival materials and historic sites to trace how people in the region both sympathized with and fought against Nazi ideology, according to The Jewish News.

"Most people are surprised to learn how close to home this history really is," Smith told The Jewish News. "Southeast Michigan was not a passive bystander to the rise of Nazism. There were people here who sympathized with it, and people here who fought back."

The program will cover the history of Father Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest based at the Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak. Coughlin used radio to spread antisemitic ideas to a massive audience. He regularly reached 30 million listeners when the entire U.S. population was about 122 million, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Dr. Catherine Cangany, CEO of the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan, will moderate a conversation after Smith's presentation. The Jewish Historical Society is a community partner for the event.

The center, which describes itself as Michigan's only Holocaust museum, also has a special exhibit on display through January 2027. "Age of Influence: Youth and Nazi Propaganda" draws on primary sources to explore Nazi efforts to manipulate young people.

If you go

  • What: "Local Shadows, Local Courage: Exploring Detroit's Nazi Past"
  • When: Thursday, Oct. 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Where: Zekelman Holocaust Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills
  • Cost: $10; free for members
  • Info: holocaustcenter.org