'Irene: A Child of the Holocaust' viewing Dec. 4

(WJBK) - Irene Miller is giving a face to the darkest chapter of human history while promoting tolerance. She is a Holocaust survivor, and the Nazis attacked Poland when she was just 5 years old.

Her father paid a guide to take their family out of Poland, but he didn't do that. Irene ended up in a place called No Man's Land, where just finding food was a daily struggle. Irene remembers that for her 7th or 8th birthday, her mother told her to pretend there was no war, and was curious what present Irene would ask for. Irene said she just wanted a big loaf of bread.

During her time in Siberia, her family was given a tiny piece of land where they planted potatoes. Her mother told her that when they harvested the potatoes, the family could have one meal where they could eat as many potatoes as they wanted. That is the only day Irene remembers not feeling hungry.

Her story is the focus of a new PBS documentary premiering this weekend. The documentary, "Irene: A Child of the Holocaust" premiers on December 4 at Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills at 7 p.m. The viewing is open to the public. The cost is $15 per person, or $20 for a couple.

Irene says she hopes to see many people there to experience the film with her, as she has not seen it yet.

Irene now speaks, traveling all over Michigan to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity. She also helps others overcome traumatic experiences.

You can learn more about Irene and her travels at www.irenemillerspeaker.com.