More than eight decades on, the AJR continues to remember the events of Kristallnacht on 9 November by launching its Keep a Light On campaign and moving the annual commemorative service online and open to all.
Following on from last years’ initiative, we once again encourage the illumination of synagogues and households on the night of 9 November, in commemoration of the wave of antisemitic violence which took place across Germany and Austria on that night in 1938.
AJR Chief Executive, Michael Newman said, “Building on the strong interest of previous years, AJR’s Keep a Light On campaign will create awareness through remembrance in the Jewish community and beyond. We welcome support from families, synagogues, and community organizations.”
We are asking our members and friends to post the “keep a Light On” logo with the hashtag #KeepALightOn.
Due to Covid-19, the AJR has moved its annual Kristallnacht service online. To be live-streamed from Belsize Square Synagogue, guest speakers will be AJR member and Kindertransportee Professor Robert Shaw, Austrian Ambassador Michael Zimmermann and Hannah Lessing, General Secretary of the Austrian National Fund. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg will conduct the service.
EVENT REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ajr-annual-kristallnacht-service-tickets-124989758733
Michael Newman said, “This year more than ever, while Covid-19 continues to deprive us of family and community gatherings, we place great effort on ensuring that key dates in the Jewish calendar, like the anniversary of the Kristallnacht, are commemorated. Everyone is welcome.”
Gaby Glassman, chair of the Yom Hashoah committee of Pinner Synagogue and a trustee of AJR, paid tribute to the powerful symbolism of the Keep a Light On initiative. “On 9 November 1938, our synagogues were set alight. Now, many decades later, we choose to illuminate our synagogues to remember what happened on that fateful night. Sadly, this reminder seems to be necessary as increasingly we see antisemitism and extremism gaining ground to become the accepted norm once more. This initiative is commended and should serve as an annual alert to ensure that Kristallnacht, and all it stands for, will never be forgotten.”