Kristallnacht commemoration

The Victoria Shoah Project invites the public to the annual commemoration of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass). We will remember what took place on the evening of Nov. 9, 1938, when, targeted solely for their ethnic identity, Jews were the victims of planned attacks on Jewish owned stores, buildings and synagogues in Germany and Austria while authorities did nothing to stop the assault.

The name Kristallnacht refers to the pieces of broken glass covering the streets after the windows of Jewish-owed stores were shattered. It represents the broken lives, forever changed by this tragedy.

Kristallnacht was only a hint of the greater harm to come. Not only is Kristallnacht a painful scar in the pages of Jewish history, it is a call to all humanity to respond promptly and loudly at the first appearance of injustices targeting any group. This is a message particularly significant in today’s world when acts of irrational and violent prejudice are all too common.

Our program will remember all who perished in the Holocaust with a candle lighting ceremony by survivors, second- and third-generation descendants, and students and youth representing our ongoing hope for a future of peace. The program will also other speakers, musicians and the reading of our Pledge of Mutual Respect and Support by politicians, multi-faith representatives and law enforcement leaders from the Victoria community and others in attendance.

Please join us to remember the past and envision a better future where we will respect and protect our neighbours, not remain silent in the face of any injustice against any person or group and work towards building bridges leading to unity and shalom (peace) in our own community and beyond.