UArizona Freedom Center & Arizona Center for Judaic Studies host Holocaust survivor Hanna Zack Miley

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The University of Arizona Freedom Center and Arizona Center for Judaic Studies present an evening with Holocaust survivor Hanna Zack Miley. As an educator, author and speaker, Miley has spent five decades traveling the world to share her inspiring story of rescue, loss, freedom, and forgiveness. UArizona President Robert C. Robbins, Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Ben Toma, and State Representative Alma Hernandez will welcome Miley to the UArizona campus for a public screening of her oral history, fireside chat and audience Q&A session.

Organized by Mary L. Rigdon, director of the Freedom Center and associate professor of Political Economy and Moral Science, this community event is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of storytelling. 

“Throughout her life, Hanna has embraced the power of forgiveness, finding solace and purpose in sharing her story with audiences worldwide,” Rigdon said. “Her unwavering commitment to remembrance and reconciliation serves as a beacon of hope in a world still grappling with the shadows of history. The Freedom Center is honored and humbled by the opportunity to produce and share Hanna’s story.”

Miley’s oral history has been submitted for approval to the Arizona State Board of Education for teachers to use as part of the Freedom Center's Oral History Mini Documentary Collection. This free resource strengthens civic education, preserving oral histories that educate and inspire by highlighting the stark differences between life under authoritarian governments and democracy in America. Stories like hers provide powerful first-person perspectives, adding human context to historical content.

Born in Germany in 1932, Miley witnessed the rise of antisemitism under Hitler's regime. Just before the start of World War II, in a desperate bid to save her from the impending Holocaust, her parents, Marcus and Amalie Zack, made the heart-wrenching decision to place her on the Kindertransport train to England. Miley was number 8,814 of the 10,000 children saved by the Kindertransport, and she would never see her parents again. What initially seemed like abandonment revealed itself as the ultimate act of love and sacrifice, ensuring her survival amidst the atrocities that claimed the lives of an estimated 1.5 million Jewish children.

“Young people today bear heavy burdens and many challenges, but my story is a story of hope, and I want to give you hope,” Miley said.

“We invite the community to witness Hanna’s remarkable journey of survival, forgiveness, and hope,” said Rigdon. “Register now and join us for an evening that will leave a lasting impression on hearts and minds alike.”

The event is scheduled for Monday, April 29 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the UArizona Center for Creative Photography at 1030 North Olive Avenue in Tucson. Due to limited seating, prospective attendees are encouraged to secure their spots promptly. Follow this link for additional information and registration details.