85 years ago today, Jews in Germany suffered from the pogram known as the Night of the Broken Glass. Hundreds of synagogues were destroyed. Thousands of Jewish businesses were ransacked. Tens of thousands of Jews were taken to concentration camps.
Between the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll it took on our people, it was one of the most damaging nights in our history. We commemorate the 85th anniversary at the same time as many synagogues honor Jewish war veterans during Shabbat. We honor the memory of the victims of Kristallnacht while also thanking God for the blessing of those who risked and gave their lives to rid Europe of the Nazi regime.
The lessons of oppression and heroism must not be lost on us as we consider the state of the Jewish world today. With Israel under attack and Jews feeling the growing pressure of antisemitism around the world, we hope that we may gain insight and inspiration from previous generations. We hope that the world, beyond the Jewish people, will recognize that antisemitism is a precursor to unchecked evil. And above all else, that as antisemitism rises, we will not find ourselves standing alone.
Rabbi David Gerber is the senior rabbi of the URJ’s Congregation Gates of Prayer (Sha’arai Tefillah) in Metairie.
Between the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll it took on our people, it was one of the most damaging nights in our history. We commemorate the 85th anniversary at the same time as many synagogues honor Jewish war veterans during Shabbat. We honor the memory of the victims of Kristallnacht while also thanking God for the blessing of those who risked and gave their lives to rid Europe of the Nazi regime.