Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Holocaust Survivors Mark Kristallnacht Anniversary Amid Rising Antisemitism
Imagine a time long ago when some people hated others just because they were Jewish.
On a night called Kristallnacht, very bad things happened: Jewish shops were broken into, buildings were burned, and many people were hurt or arrested.
This was a terrible sign of what was to come, leading to a war where millions of Jewish people were killed.
Now, many years later, some people who lived through that scary time are still alive.
They are noticing that hateful feelings towards Jewish people are growing again around the world.
They are sharing their stories with young people to make sure everyone remembers how dangerous hate can be and teaches them to stand up against it.
They believe it's important to learn from the past so that such terrible events never happen again.
Holocaust survivors are marking the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a Nazi-led pogrom in 1938.
Survivors warn of a dangerous global rise in antisemitism, comparing the current climate to the 1930s.
Kristallnacht involved the destruction of Jewish businesses and synagogues and the arrest of thousands of Jewish men.
Survivors emphasize the importance of education and passing on testimonies to younger generations to combat intolerance.
Despite rising antisemitism, some survivors note that the existence of Israel provides a strong defense for Jewish people today.
- Who
- Holocaust survivors and Jewish communities worldwide
- What
- Marking the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht and warning about rising global antisemitism, drawing parallels to the 1930s.
- When
- Present day, marking the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht (November 9, 1938)
- Where
- Globally, with specific mention of Jerusalem, Germany, and Austria.
- Why
- To remember the horrors of Kristallnacht, which foreshadowed the Holocaust, and to urge vigilance against a perceived resurgence of antisemitism.
Remembering and Warning
Contemporary Challenges
Lessons from Kristallnacht
Remembering and Warning
Holocaust survivors emphasize that the events of Kristallnacht were a turning point leading to the Holocaust, highlighting the danger of rising antisemitism and the need for vigilance and education to prevent history from repeating itself.
Contemporary Challenges
While acknowledging the historical significance, the focus shifts to contemporary issues, noting that while antisemitism is surging, Jews today have the State of Israel as a strong defensive nation, unlike in the 1930s.
Combating Antisemitism
Remembering and Warning
Education is seen as the primary tool to combat intolerance, with survivors actively sharing their experiences with younger generations to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten and that similar hatred is recognized and stopped early.
Contemporary Challenges
Some survivors, like Walter Bingham, also advocate for active resistance, stating 'If we see it, we have to hit back,' suggesting that education alone may not be sufficient in confronting current threats.
- Event Commemorated
- Kristallnacht Anniversary (87th)
- Original Date of Kristallnacht
- November 9, 1938
- Estimated Deaths during Kristallnacht
- At least 91
- Vandalized Jewish Businesses
- Over 7,500
- Torched Synagogues
- More than 1,400
- Arrested Jewish Men
- Around 30,000
- Current Concern
- Rising global antisemitism