Gathering commemorates Kristallnacht
Nearly 100 reflect on past, honor those killed in Pittsburgh
Seated quietly in the pews of Hartford’s Charter Oak Cultural Center on Thursday night, nearly 100 commemorated the havoc wrought on homes and synagogues in Germany 80 years ago on Kristallnacht.
On Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, 1938, “Nazis went on a rampage” throwing rocks through glass windows of homes belonging to Jewish families, lighting houses of worship on fire, and beginning the terror of the Holocaust, Rabbi Donna Berman said Thursday.
“Tonight is different because history seems to be repeating itself,” Berman said through tears, as she spoke of the shooting at Tree of Life synagogue nearly two weeks ago in Pittsburgh. “Tonight is not just about the past, it is very much about the present; it is very much about this particular moment in history in which we find ourselves.”
Candles were lit in honor of the 11 men and women killed Oct. 27.
The commemoration of Kristallnacht, which usually begins with the breaking of glass and handing out broken pieces of glass, was altered.
Berman said organizers thought the sound would be “too jarring” and painful in light of the recent shootings.
“Kristallnacht means Night of Broken Glass, but it was also a night of broken hearts,” Berman said.
“Tonight, in the context of Kristallnacht, we cannot help but take sober stock of where we are in our country and in the world. Tonight as we remember and take stock, let us reaffirm our commitment to fighting bigotry, to standing up to whomever espouses it and demanding that our elected officials put aside their own desire for power and wealth.”
Instead of receiving pieces of broken glass, those gathered received quartz because it does not break as easily and is believed to have healing properties, Berman said.
The ceremony also included prayer readings in different languages, musical performances, a community meal and a procession to the outer stairs of the Charter Oak Cultural Center.