Commemoration in Berlin - 75 years after the Kristallnacht

On 9th November, an impressive commemoration of the Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) took place in Berlin. During this night, now 75 years ago, a pogrom took place against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria. At least 91 Jews were killed in the attacks, and 30,000 were arrested and put in concentration camps. Many synagogues were burned and Jewish businesses destroyed or damaged.

The event to commemorate the Kristallnacht was organized by Initiative 27. Januar and Israel Connect (the young adults movement of Christians for Israel Germany). Nearly 700 people attended. The highlight of the evening was the interview project 'Zeugen der Zeitzeugen’ (Witnesses of Time Witnesses). The idea of the project is to build bridges between the Holocaust Survivors and the young generation in Germany. Therefore young Germans have recorded the stories of Holocaust survivors.

The young adults who were involved in this interview project and the Holocaust survivors shared their experiences during the ceremony. At the end of the commemoration the Holocaust survivors passed the light of commemoration on to the young interviewers, by handing over a candle.

Marina Rentschler, project leader of ‘Zeugen der Zeitzeugen’ ended her speech by citing the Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” After this Marina stated very clearly: “We want to remember and avoid the past repeating itself.”

Conference Church and Israel
During the weekend, 7-9 November, Christians for Israel Germany was involved in a major conference, ‘Church and Israel' in Berlin. This event was organized by 40 Christian ministries that all share the same vision: to stand with Israel, and to bring Biblical understanding about Israel in churches. Around 1500 participants were present during this conference.

	Moderators of the evening: Marina Rentschler Jörg Gehrke

	Introduction by Harald Eckert
	Passing on the light of commemoration
	A very moving moment
	Young German interviewers and Holocaust survivors

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