Founded in 1985 by Betty Provizer Starkman, the Jewish Genealogical Society of Michigan is a leader in education, research, information exchange forums and resources for Jewish genealogy. Most of our events are hosted at the The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
We are the proud winner of such prestigious awards as:
- Outstanding Programming that Advances Jewish Genealogy
- Best Publication for our quarterly newsletter, Generations
- Genealogical Research Award for utilizing the most modern techniques for research
- Genealogical Library Award for maintaining an independent research library
Membership is available to anyone interested in genealogy. Dues are based on a fiscal year of August 1 to July 31.
We invite you to take a look around, learn about our society and explore all that we have to offer.
Stitching Together Baseball and the Holocaust: My Evian to Sosúa Dominican Journey 2010-2025
Presented by Elihu “Hugh” Baver
Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 9:45 AM
In person at The Zekelman Holocaust Center and on Zoom
28123 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
FREE
Join us for a fascinating discussion connecting baseball, the Holocaust, genealogy and current events!
Hugh Baver is best known for his long-standing involvement and subject matter expertise in preserving and advancing the legacy of Sosúa, Dominican Republic—the only Jewish refugee settlement established during World War II as a direct result of the 1938 Evian Conference.
Through on-the-ground engagement and extensive research Baver has devised dynamic public programming working to elevate Sosúa’s global historical significance as a living case story of refuge, survival, and moral courage during the Holocaust.
The central theme of the presentation is to educate people on the little known Holocaust refugee and immigration history of what occurred back in 1938, and to compare and contrast it with contemporary challenges of refugees and immigration today (ICE seizures, etc) with Sosúa being a prime example of a role model of best practices where refugees/immigrants were not only welcomed/admitted/accepted but were given a path to citizenship and they became fully adopted and productive citizens.
Elihu “Hugh” Baver is a cultural historian, nonprofit founder, and international project leader whose work centers on Holocaust memory, Jewish refugee history, and intercultural education in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas.
One of the world’s foremost authorities on the topic of the “Evian to Sosúa” unique Holocaust history, over the past 10 years, Baver has given dozens of lectures and presentations, as well as being the subject of multiple TV, Radio, and print media interviews in high visibility global venues.