Remembering Kristallnacht: Reflections on Modern Times

As we mark the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass,” our hearts are filled with sorrow as we remember the horrific events of November 9-10, 1938. Over the course of those two days, Jewish businesses, homes, and synagogues across Nazi Germany and Austria were violently destroyed, and over 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. This brutal attack, fueled by virulent anti-Semitism, marked a terrifying escalation of state-sponsored violence against the Jewish People, one that would culminate in the Holocaust. The shattered glass from that night symbolized the breaking of lives, families, and communities—and the World would never be the same.

As we reflect on Kristallnacht, it is impossible to ignore the painful echoes which we hear in today’s world. Jews continue to face hatred and violence, whether in the form of physical attacks or targeted discrimination. The recent assault on Jewish Soccer fans in the Netherlands after a soccer game, in which Jewish individuals were chased, beaten simply for being Jewish, serves as a stark reminder that anti-Semitism is not a relic of history, but an ongoing, dangerous reality. This is further compounded by incidents closer to home, such as the attacks on Orthodox Jews in Chicago and Brooklyn, as well as on college campuses across the United States, where Jewish students are experiencing harassment, intimidation, and violence.

These events—whether abroad or in our own neighborhoods—remind us that the fight against anti-Semitism is far from over. The memory of Kristallnacht teaches us the devastating consequences of allowing hatred to fester and go unchecked. Today, we must remain vigilant and united in our efforts to combat bigotry, not just in words but in action.

This is a moment for each of us to stand up. We urge you to reach out to your local Jewish community leaders and rabbis. Let them know that you are standing with them. Show your support for the Jewish community in these challenging times and reinforce our collective commitment to ensuring that the hatred of the Past does not define our Future. Now, more than ever, solidarity matters.

Together, we can help build stronger communities where hate has no place.

In remembrance and hope,