Mickey Shapiro

FACES

Mickey Shapiro

Born in a displaced persons camp in Germany, Mickey Shapiro came to the United States at the age of two. Now the Birmingham-based real estate developer and philanthropist, who went to Southfield High School, honors his late mother with the new feature film “My Name is Sara,” which has already earned numerous awards.

After escaping a Jewish Ghetto in Poland and losing her family during the Holocaust, his mother Sara Goralnik passed as an Orthodox Christian in the Ukraine, where she was taken in by a farmer and his wife. Still a child herself, around the age of 12, Sara worked on the farm and cared for the couple’s two young boys.

Produced in association with USC Shoah Foundation, the film was an Official Selection at more than 50 festivals internationally, taking home five Best Feature Awards. Strand Releasing brought the movie to New York theaters in July and is now unveiling it nationwide.

“I never wanted to make this movie,” said Shapiro, who served as coexecutive producer. After some convincing, he had a change of heart. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. It came out spectacular and it’s been getting great reviews.”

The film was made in 2018, after his mother passed away. “She was a very private person. She didn’t want to talk about it. She would say, ‘What happened to me, you don’t want to know,’ but she finally opened up later in life,” he said.

In 2015, a trip Shapiro took to the Ukraine would be the genesis of the project.

“I wanted to see where I came from,” he said about his family history and the heartbreaking childhood his mother was forced to endure.

“She told me certain things, but my mother was a very quiet woman and she was very protective of her children. She loved her children, but she couldn’t show emotion because she never had it growing up. All she had was a dress and a pair of shoes. She had no relatives, and she was eating berries to survive.”

The film that tells her harrowing tale was originally set to be released in 2020, but it had to be put on hold during the pandemic until this past July.

“It really focuses on a young girl and what she did to survive and how she handled herself. It’s quite a story. We want people to know what was going on to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Shapiro said.

“How a child survives such an unimaginable situation by listening and not talking…she got to the farm and raised the couple’s two young boys, navigated their complicated marriage and did a number of chores while keeping a low profile.”

A premiere was held at the Maple Theater in August for the film that was to be in 35 markets by September. Steven Oritt, director/producer, and Stephen Smith, former executive director of Shoah Foundation and a close friend of Shapiro's, were among the others who worked on the project.

When asked what he learned from the process, “Don’t do this for a living,” Shapiro quipped. “It’s not why we made the film.” One benefit is that there is an educational component for teaching curriculums about the Holocaust in high schools and universities.

While his mom might not like the idea of her personal story being told at first, upon seeing it resonate with so many others, “She’d be happy,” Shapiro said.

“October means something very important to the arts world and to communities throughout the United States - National Arts and Humanities Month.” Cultural institutions and citizens around Michigan celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month via scores of events that proudly showcase our state as an eclectic and dynamic artistic community, rich in cultural heritage.

As a cherished, 99-year-old cultural gem, The Community House keenly understands that arts and culture has a wider, more measurable impact on our economy, health and wellbeing, education and society. As such, The Community House salutes and proudly celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month during the months of October through December. Some of our fall arts & culture events/partnerships include:

SAVE THE DATE

Bill Seklar

27th Annual Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Awards. The Cultural Council of Birmingham Bloomfield, in conjunction with community partners, The Community House, Hometown Life (formerly the Birmingham Eccentric), the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, and Bloomfield Cablevision, announces the 27th Annual Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Awards. The Cultural Arts Awards honor persons in our community who a jury of local arts enthusiasts have selected for having had an extraordinary impact on the cultural life of our community. This year’s honorees will be celebrated at a limited in-person event at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center on Friday, October 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast on local cable and be available on our website following the event: culturalcouncilbirminghambloomfield.org.

Back By Popular Demand: The 3rd Annual Holiday Concert Series hosted by The Community House, will once again take place at The Community House in the Wallace Ballroom on December 8th, 14th and 21st. Featuring sounds of the season performed by Musician-Extraordinaires from various world-renowned orchestras and theatres including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Stay tuned for more details.

Story Time with Santa, brought to you by The Community House, will take place on Saturday, December 10. Delight in the magic of the season at the 2022 Community House’s Story Time with Santa events. Children will enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, crafts and some of Santa’s favorite stories read by Old Saint Nick himself. Photos are welcome, so be sure to bring your camera. Seatings occur at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and a.m. Space is limited to 25 children per seating, make sure to reserve your spot in advance. Tickets are: $25 per child (includes two accompanying adults) and can be purchased either by visiting: communityhouse.asapconnected.com or calling 248.644.5832. This is a sell out event so purchase your tickets now.

The 8th Annual Bates Street SocietyDinner – Saturday, February 11, 2023. The Community House created the Bates Street Society Dinner - at which annual Pillars of Vibrancy; Education, Wellness, Culture, Philanthropy and Business are celebrated and honored. The purpose is to publicly recognize extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated selfless service and philanthropy toward others while helping to “Create More Vibrant Lives” in the community - selfless service offered and provided out of a genuine and deep desire to help and be of service to others. Over the last few years, 69 pillars in our community have been recognized and inducted into The Community House’s Pillars of Vibrancy. 2023 will be no exception. Recently, The Community House announced the

2023 Pillar Nominees: Jim Berline – Business & Philanthropy Gary Van Elslander – Business & Philanthropy Linda Gillum, Ph.D. – Education and Health & Wellness Nancy Susick, R. N. – Health & Wellness and Business Priscilla & Huel Perkins – Culture & Philanthropy Matthew Rizik – Business & Philanthropy Greg Schwartz – Business & Philanthropy Nada & Sam Simon – Business & Philanthropy

Sponsorships, program ads and tickets are available now. For more information, please contact Christopher Smude, Vice President of The Community House Foundation at csmude@communityhousefoundation.org.

ANNOUNCING…

The newly updated Hoglund Room is now open for your holiday business. The Community House is delighted to announce the renovation of this exquisitely designed, state-of-the-art gathering space to our customizable collection. When it comes to private meetings for business, community engagements, or just about any other occasion, the Hoglund Room will far exceed your expectations. When you add up amenities such as carefully restored trim work, new coffered ceiling and lighting, state-of-the-art technology, a charming refreshment area, concierge service, and many more contemporary offerings, you’ll see why our Hoglund Room is the perfect setting for your big (and not so big) ideas to flourish. For more information or to reserve the Hoglund Room for your special occasion, please contact Tim Hunt, COO, at 248.594.6402

A BIG THANK YOU

Back by popular demand, House Tour 2022 proved to be a grand success. After a two-year hiatus, friends - far and near - returned in record numbers to support The Community House, our community, our architectural masterpieces, garden designs and interiors. 2022 broke our prior record with 704 attendees/visitors attending this year. Special thanks to Founding Presenting Sponsor, The Agency Hall & Hunter, and Supporting Sponsors, Gorman’s Home Furnishings, Trion Solutions, and Chief Financial Credit Union and many more. And finally, to our many very generous homeowners for opening their exquisite homes and gardens for a good cause.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers have been involved in the every-day life of The Community House for 96 years. They give the “House” a face, a voice, helping hands, and a heart. Our extraordinary volunteers link us to the many neighborhoods, towns and cities that make up the broad range of communities we serve and most of all, they are our best ambassadors. The Community House and The Community House Foundation invite you to consider joining our esteemed volunteer team - and by doing so, you can be assured that your precious donation of time and talent will be greatly appreciate and will positively impact the lives of those we serve. Help is needed.

For more information about volunteering at The Community House, please visit our website at communityhouse.com to download a volunteer application or call Kathie Ninneman at 248.594.6403.

For reservations, tickets or more information about TCH fall or holiday classes, gathering space or events, please go to communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.