Ahead of Canada’s national day of remembrance, the Victoria Shoah Project is hosting Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass” to remember the Jewish victims of planned anti-Semitic attacks just ahead of WW2.
The ceremony is set to remember the night of November 9th, 1938, when Jewish people in Germany and Austria were the targets of premeditated violence, and Jewish-owned stores, buildings, and synagogues were attacked.
The word Kristallnacht itself refers to the shards of broken glass that lined the streets of Germany and Austria on that night of violence. The glass fragments represent the lives and families shattered during the tragedy.
The program will be held at Congregation Emanu-El, the oldest synagogue on the Island.
The Victoria Shoah Project plans on honouring victims of WW2 with a candle lighting ceremony, which will involve holocaust survivors, second and third-generation descendants, and students and youth.
The program will also include a variety of speakers and musicians from varying backgrounds and faiths, as well as law enforcement leaders.
“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,” said the Victoria Shoah Project in their event announcement.
Last Tuesday, a vigil was held at the Victoria Jewish Community Centre to remember the 11 victims of a synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh on October 27th, 2018.
Kristallnacht 2018
- When: Thursday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Where: 1461 Blanshard St., Congregation Emanu-El
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