The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center is honored to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Dr. Al Miller, a beloved Cincinnatian, U.S. veteran, and Holocaust survivor. Here are five ways you can celebrate Al this year:
1. Watch a Recording of Al Miller’s 100th Birthday Party.
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center celebrated his birthday with a special event at Union Terminal. In conversation with former Chief Executive Officer Sarah Weiss, he shared his story and his advice and reflections on living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Miller’s story is prominently featured in the Holocaust & Humanity Center’s AWARD-WINNING MUSEUM at historic Union Terminal – the site where many survivors came to by train to rebuild their lives in Cincinnati after the war.
2. Learn About Al’s Story.
Miller was born in Berlin, Germany in 1922. His family owned a successful clothing company, and he has many happy memories of his early childhood. As an active youth, he enjoyed sports until one day he arrived at his favorite recreation center to find it forbidden to Jews. He remembers many of his childhood friends joining the Hitler Youth and wearing their uniforms with pride and cutting him out of their lives for being Jewish. He was the last Jewish student to remain in his class until it was made too uncomfortable for him to stay. In 1936, Miller attended the infamous Berlin Olympics in which American runner Jesse Owens won four medals. As conditions became worse for the Jews of Germany, his family put together a plan to leave the country and resettle elsewhere. Al departed Nazi Germany in 1937 for Switzerland, while his brother was sent to England. His parents remained in Germany, enduring Kristallnacht and hiding in a friend’s home. The family was eventually to reunite in England before immigrating to America in 1939. Miller settled in Hamilton, Ohio where he practiced optometry until his retirement. Watch this video about his story.
3. Take a Self-Guided Museum Tour of Al’s Story.
100-Year-Old Holocaust survivor and veteran Dr. Al Miller has loaned the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center his U.S. Army “Eisenhower jacket” to display in the museum. After escaping Nazi Germany with his family, Miller arrived in the U.S. in 1940. Entering the U.S. Army in 1943, Miller was trained in military intelligence with the 3rd Infantry Division. Miller returned to Germany where he used his German speaking skills to interrogate suspected war criminals for post-war trials covering crimes and atrocities committed during World War II.
General Dwight Eisenhower was not fond of the original World War II uniform, which he felt was poorly for combat and restrictive. Eisenhower wanted the jacket to be “very short, very comfortable, and very natty looking.”The Eisenhower “Ike jacket” became standard issue for U.S. troops beginning in November 1944. While it was intended for wear in battle, most soldiers preferred to wear it during non-combat situations, according to the Smithsonian. Miller’s uniform will be on display at the Holocaust & Humanity Center for a limited time.
Ask our museum staff for a pamphlet to take a self-guided tour of Al’s story.
4. View Photos from Al’s Birthday Party and Read Recent News Stories.
Did you attend Al’s Birthday Party? BROWSE THIS PHOTO ALBUM and follow us on social media.
- WLWT – LOCAL HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TO CELEBRATE 100TH BIRTHDAY AT UNION TERMINAL
- Journal-News – LOCAL MAN, A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY WITH EVENT AT CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER
- WCPO – HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AND CINCINNATI VETERAN CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY
- CityBeat – NEARLY-100-YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, WORLD WAR II VETERAN LOANING UNIFORM TO CINCINNATI MUSEUM
5. Support Our Mission.
With antisemitism and hate is increasing at alarming rates, your support has never been as important as it is today. When you give as a Beacon of Humanity, you empower the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center to carry out its vital mission. The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. As we embark on a new chapter of expansive growth, the Center is reaching millions through educational programming, ground-breaking technology, innovative digital events, and museum experiences that touch hearts and minds. Support OUR MISSION.
ABOUT THE NANCY & DAVID WOLF HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY CENTER
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Located at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal, HHC impacts more than 2.5 million people every year through digital and in-person events, museum tours, educational experiences, social media, and virtual content. From Australia to India, individuals from more than 25 countries and 30 states engage with our mission. For more information, visit WWW.HOLOCAUSTANDHUMANITY.ORG.
- Connect WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
- ATTEND AN UPCOMING PROGRAM
- DONATE TO THE HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY CENTER
- Learn more about HHC’S CINCY UPSTANDER PROJECT
- Book an ANTISEMITISM WORKSHOP
- Browse PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES for educators
- Become a BEACON OF HUMANITY
