Three women and a man standing together indoors, smiling at the camera. An elderly woman is in the center, flanked by a woman and a man, with a framed painting and window in the background.

Irene with the Dutch and Ecuadorian ambassadors (2025).

An elderly woman receiving an award or recognition while two men stand nearby, with German, U.S., and American flags in the background.

The German Officer’s Cross Order of Merit (2023).

An elderly woman with white hair wearing a blue sparkly dress and pearl necklace, sitting on a tan sofa, holding a glass award with an American flag emblem, smiling for the camera.

Kay Family Award from the Anti-Defamation League (2022).

A woman with white hair looking up thoughtfully, with text announcing '#1 Podcast in Germany! Best Conversation Category' and a logo reading 'Deutscher Podcast Preis'.
Group of five young women and an elderly woman sitting together outdoors, smiling, with greenery in the background.

Irene with her German podcast co-hosts Ida, Lonneke, Mathilda, and Milla (2022).

Irene, with husband Charlie, receiving the Genesis Humanitarian Award in 2011.

Irene, with husband Charlie, receiving the Genesis Humanitarian Award in 2011.

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) School of Public Health faculty and graduating students in hospital administration circa 1975. Irene (front right) was the only woman on faculty.

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) School of Public Health faculty and graduating students in hospital administration circa 1975. Irene (front right) was the only woman on faculty.

Teaching economics at University of Michigan in Flint in 1963.

Teaching economics at University of Michigan in Flint in 1963.

Achievements & Awards

Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau: Royal Recognition by Members of the Dutch Kapittel voor de Civiele (2025)

Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity & Tolerance: Kingdom of the Netherlands (2025)

Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2024)

#1 Podcast in Germany - Best Conversation Category: Deutscher Podcast Preis (2023)

Best Podcast: “Irene, wie hast Du den Holocaust überlebt?” - Deutscher Reporter: innerpreis (2022)

Kay Family Award - Fighting Hate for Good: Anti-Defamation League (2022)

Robert S. Northrup Humanitarian Award: The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor (2019)

Jewish Book Council Finalist: From Holocaust to Hope book (2019)

The Bookseller’s Edition Choice: From Holocaust to Hope book (2019)

National Reading Group Great Group Read: From Holocaust to Hope book (2018)People of Distinction Humanitarian Award (2013)

Educational Outreach and Service Award: Federal Inter-Agency Holocaust Remembrance Program (2011)

The Genesis Award Distinguished Humanitarian (2011)

Co-founder of Zeitouna (olive tree in Arabic), an Arab-Jewish women's dialog group (2002-present)

Co-creator of the University of Michigan Wallenberg Medal and Lecture (1990-present)

University of Michigan's Academic Women's Caucus Sarah Goddard Power Award (1990)

Fulbright Scholar: the Netherlands (1983-84) and Israel (1991-92)

University of Michigan School of Public Health professor who taught microeconomics; policy analysis; structure and composition of the health workforce; and gender, race, ethnicity, and health (1976-1996)

Consultant to the World Health Organization concerning the international migration of physicians and nurses (70s)

One of the first women to earn a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University (1960)

Irene receives that 2011 Federal Inter-Agency Holocaust Remembrance Program Educational Outreeach and Service Award.

Irene receives that 2011 Federal Inter-Agency Holocaust Remembrance Program Educational Outreeach and Service Award.