Kristallnacht Anniversary To Be Observed With Broken Glass

Every year, Jewish students at the University of Cincinnati observe the anniversary of Kristallnacht. The Hillel Jewish Student Center will lead observances marking the 73rd anniversary of Kristallnacht from

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9, on McMicken Commons.

Kristallnacht, or The Night of Broken Glass, marks the turning point in the Nazi policy of isolating and disenfranchising Germany’s Jews. During the nights of Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, at least 236 Jews were killed, more than 600 were permanently maimed, well over 500 synagogues were destroyed, and thousands of Jewish businesses and homes were vandalized, burned and robbed. 

In the next few days, 50,000 Jewish adults were arrested and transported to concentration camps, leaving some 50,000-75,000 children orphaned. The streets of Germany were ablaze using Torah scrolls, prayer books and holy objects to fuel the fires; literally everything was covered in the broken glass. The world stood silent as people watched this watershed event. These nights eventually led to the subsequent murder of 6 million European Jews.

In commemoration, Hillel will be handing out flyers and buttons on McMicken Commons from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.