Today we remember Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass.”
On November 9–10, 1938, Nazi leaders organized violent attacks against Jewish communities throughout Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. Mobs burned over 1,000 synagogues, destroyed Jewish homes and 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses, and murdered nearly 100 Jews. This violence became known as Kristallnacht, in reference to the broken glass that covered the streets. Police also arrested tens of thousands of Jewish men and imprisoned them in concentration camps, where they endured extreme brutality. This violence marked a turning point in Nazi persecution of Jews. It followed years of antisemitic rhetoric, discriminatory laws, and the steady exclusion of Jews from public life.
In today's times, when harmful antisemitic rhetoric circulates in public discourse and mainstream politics, it is crucial to remember this history.
At OJMCHE, we fulfill this responsibility by teaching the enduring and universal relevance of the Holocaust, sharing the testimony of Holocaust survivors, helping visitors recognize and confront antisemitism and prejudice, and preserving Jewish history. We remain dedicated to this work now and for generations to come.
