Holecek heirs accept mom's award as 'Righteous'

Nitza Gilad, left, Israel's Consul General Roey Gilad join Andrew and Frank Holecek, sons of the late Maria Holecek, honored as among the Righteous of the Nations — Nitza Gilad, left, Israel’s Consul General Roey Gilad join Andrew and Frank Holecek, sons of the late Maria Holecek, honored as among the Righteous of the Nations

Dr. Saule Dietz holds photo of Maria Holecek (second from left), Mrs Dietz's mother, Mrs. Gene Petrauskas, and Dr. Holecek's two sisters, Dr. Olga Horwitz and Mrs. Stefanie Viaciunas — Dr. Saule Dietz holds photo in which Maria Holecek (white dress) and Olga Horwritz, whom she hid, are flanked by Mrs Dietz’s mother, Mrs. Gene Petrauskas, and Mrs. Stefanie Viaciunas

FARMINGTON HILLS, Michigan (Press Release) – The late Dr. Maria Holecek was presented the award and title of “Righteous Among the Nations” in a ceremony hosted at the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus (www.holocaustcenter.org) in Farmington Hills, Mich. on May 18.

“Righteous Among the Nations” is presented by the State of Israel to honor non-Jews who risked their lives to rescue Jews during the Holocaust. The designation is granted after meticulous research. It is considered the highest award honoring rescuers during the Holocaust.

Dr. Holecek, a Lithuanian dentist, was recognized for her efforts in rescuing Jews during WWII by helping them escape, as well as arranging shelter and hiding places. Among the Jews she hid was Dr. Olga Horwitz.

Dr. Holecek’s sons, Dr. Frank Holecek of Novi, Mich. and Dr. Andrew Holecek of Lafayette, Colo., were in attendance to accept the award and honor. The Honorable Roey Gilad of the Counsel General of Israel to the Midwest and American Society for Yad Vashem Director of Development Z. Isaac Mekel provided presentations.

The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus opened in 1984. Local Holocaust survivors, with community support, founded the museum to teach about the senseless murder of millions, and why everyone must respect and stand up for the rights of others if the world is to prevent future discrimination, hate crime and genocide. As Michigan’s only Holocaust museum, the Holocaust Memorial Center annually touches the lives of more than 85,000 individuals, who leave the museum profoundly affected with a newly acquired sense of history, social responsibility and morality. The Holocaust Memorial Center’s exhibits create a call to action, teaching visitors through the examples of those who risked their lives to save others, and asking its guests to react to contemporary challenges such as racism, intolerance, bullying and prejudice.

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Preceding provided by the Holocaust Center Zekelman Family Campus

Holecek heirs accept mom’s award as ‘Righteous’

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