OUR MEETINGS From our first meeting, there were differences between those who wanted a support/healing group, and those who wanted other types of meetings, or a more active group. This division became more acute as our meetings became redundant in terms of people repeating their stories for new members. The split in the way people saw the function of our group was reflected in the format of our meetings. When we talked too much about certain issues or activities, people complained they wanted to hear more of our members' stories. Redundancy turned some away from attending meetings. Today, some members active in educational work still consider themselves members, participate in community work as Hidden Children, but may not attend meetings. 

We now split our meetings with a brief business portion followed by a longer discussion or program. We have experimented with structured programs, invited speakers, showed videos. Our Co-Chairs have remained the same since the beginning: Rene Lichtman and Erna Gorman. Other individuals/volunteers, such as Helen Bennett and Stefa Kupfer, have helped as Treasurer and Secretary. The votes have always been very informal, with no one wishing to take on any formal positions. We are a very "loose" group and have never experienced some of the tensions seen in other groups. Our average size at meetings varies between 15 and 25 people, depending on the season, since we have several "snow birds."

Who facilitates? From Professional Facilitator... to lay facilitator. Initially, we thought we needed a "professional" to direct our meetings, but we have since experimented and have found that a psychologist or a social worker is a good leader, but if we don't have one, someone else can do a good job. 

THE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION COALITION There were a number of organizations in our area, Jewish and non-Jewish, involved in Holocaust activities. We felt we should have a closer relationship with them, a coalition that could be strong enough to present important educational programs. We decided to initiate such a coalition. We held discussions with several organizations and founded the Holocaust Education Coalition. 
The HEC has been extremely successful in fulfilling it's goal of doing Holocaust education. Our greatest accomplishment has been the distribution of the award winning Holocaust Curriculum "Life Unworthy of Life." Thousands of high school students, in over 400 high schools throughout Michigan, have experience the Curriculum. We raise funds to give these students the Curriculum, free of charge, if need be. At the end of the school year, the department (Social Studies, History, etc...)fills out an Evaluation Form telling us how they have used the curriculum. The main organizer of this effort has been the HEC president, 2G CHAIM member, and one of the authors of the curriculum, Betty Ellias. We also have an active Speaker's Bureau. Esther Posner has been the main organizer of this effort. Vera Schey, our wonderful fundraiser, Erna, Rene, Stefa, Jack Gun, and of course Sid Bolkosky, principal author of the curriculum, also participate actively. All the above, except for Betty, are from our Hidden Child/Child Survivors group. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Programs in which the HC/CS and H.E.C. have participated. "Rescuers" Photo and Video Exhibit; we provided photos and videos of the children these Rescuers saved; also acted as guides during the exhibit. Shoah Project - HEC helped publicize the Spielberg project by sending out flyers to the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox main offices and newsletters all over the U.S. "Remnants," Award-winning play has been co-sponsored several times. The script has been donated to a number of High Schools who use the Holocaust Curriculum "Life Unworthy of Life" The Flint Jewish Community Council produced a week long program on "Remembering Anne Frank." There was a play, visual displays and a major speaker from Holland. We provided speakers including Dutch Hidden Children who were in Holland when Anne Frank lived there. Some of the Dutch Hidden Children talked to the cast of the play, and to the audiences attending. Fred Lessing, Esther Posner, Edith Sleutelberg and others participated. Several Book Fairs, with Erna Gorman as our representative to the Book Fair. Speakers we have sponsored have included our own authors, Goldie Kalib and Miriam Winter/Maria Orlovsky.

OUR GROUP AND THE SECOND GENERATION (C.H.A.I.M.) After attending national conferences where Second Generation participated, we felt we should have closer relations with the Second Generation people in our community. So we asked if we could attend the CHAIM meetings (Children of Holocaust survivors In Michigan). We were welcomed and asked to sit on their Board. 
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THE IMPORTANCE OF ONE NATIONAL "UMBRELLA" ORGANIZATION For a long time, many of us felt that there should be one national organization, and not splits among different groups. After several years of discussions, we have arrived at this point. In September of 1997, over 27 groups from all over the world met in Miami and formed the Federation of Jewish Child Survivors of the Holocaust (FJCSH). Our main goals are coordination, cooperation, communication, between local chapters, between national organizations, Hidden Children, Child Survivors, Kindertransport, older Survivors organizations, Second Generation, between the US and other countries; create a Newsletter, plan annual and international conferences, and more.