"Kristallnacht"

On 9th November 1938 the Jewish community in the "German Reich" experienced the worst pogrom in modern history. The Nazi government instigated the co-ordinated destruction of every synagogue in Germany and Austria. Over 1,000 synagogues (95 in Vienna alone) were completely destroyed and 7,000 Jewish businesses were either destroyed or badly damaged. Jewish homes, hospitals and schools were ransacked as the attackers demolished buildings with sledgehammers. The incident was originally referred to as "die Kristallnacht" (literally "crystal night"), alluding to the enormous number of shop windows broken that night. The "Gauleiters" started at around 10.30pm; they were followed by the SA at 11pm and the SS at 1.20am - it was carried out with ruthless precision. The fire services were ordered not to intervene unless an 'Aryian' property was at risk.

To add insult to injury, the Jewish community was fined one billion Reichsmark. The number of German Jews killed is uncertain - the number cited most often is 91. In addition, it is thought that there were hundreds of suicides. Over 30,000 Jews were sent to the Dachau concentration camp. In Vienna, Jews were ordered to clean the streets with toothbrushes, to ensure total humiliation (many of their neighbours looked on or jeered). If anyone had been in any doubt, that Nazi anti-semitism was just a phase which would eventually pass, "Kristallnacht" proved a terrifying realisation that Germany was fast becoming a trap for her remaining Jewish population. The door was closing on the possibility to emigrate and in a desperate attempt to save their children, terrified parents sent their children abroad, never to see them again on the famous "Kinder Transport" trains to England. I remember well an elderly couple in my local synagogue who were on one of the last "Kinder Transport" trains to leave Austria. And I still remember their heavy 'German' accented English and their love for the Vienna of their childhood. Their parents perished in Auschwitz.

This Shabbat we remember the victims of this horrendous pogrom. And despite the most evil attempts of the Nazis to destroy the Jewish people, we say with gratitude and defiance "Am Yisrael Chai" (the people of Israel live). Shabbat Shalom