November 9-10, 1938, Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” marked a critical escalation in Nazi persecution of Jews. This pogrom led to the destruction of more than 1,000 synagogues and 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses, resulting in the arrest of 30,000 Jewish men and the death of many people. Kristallnacht demonstrates how quickly societal norms can break down when unchecked hatred flourishes.
The lack of significant public outcry during this pogrom emboldened the Nazi regime, highlighting the importance of speaking out against injustice. The regime’ s use of propaganda to portray Kristallnacht as a spontaneous reaction underscores the dangers of misinformation. This event also serves as a warning about the slippery slope of discrimination; it was preceded by years of increasing antisemitism that ultimately led to catastrophic consequences. Learning about these events is vital to preventing future atrocities and ensuring that we remember the past.
As we remember Kristallnacht, let us commit to combating hatred and fostering a more inclusive society. It is critical that each person reflects upon the importance of being an upstander rather than a perpetrator or bystander when encountering bigotry.
The Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater works to accomplish this goal through its educational programming and outreach. Learn about the impact of Kristallnacht on individuals in Tidewater by reading To Life: The Past is Present or listen to the podcast Stars Among Us. To learn about these Holocaust Commission projects and more, visit https://holocaustcommission.jewishva.org/.
Elka Mednick is director of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission. She may contacted at emednick@ujft.org.