What has come to be known as Kristallnacht, “Night of the Broken Glass,” occurred on the night of November 9th through November 10th in 1938. On this horrific evening, Hitler’s Nazi regime had an extreme outbreak of antisemitism where hundreds of synagogues were burned and destroyed, Jewish businesses and homes were shattered, and about 30,000 of individuals were captured and brought to concentration camps. What supposedly sparked this outbreak, that had been imminent under Hitler’s rule, was on November 7th, Hershel Grynszpan (a 17 year old Polish Jew) shot Ernst vom Rath. vom Rath was the Third Secretary of the German Embassy in Paris. Grynszpan’s intention was to show the world that there was a very dreadful reality for Jewish people in Europe and that their plight needed to be taken seriously. Kristallnacht has come to be known as the culminating event demonstrating the severity of the anti-Semitic policies under Hitler’s Nazi rule.
On Tuesday November 10th, Chapman had a beautiful remembrance service to recognize Kristallnacht. This was the 12th Kristallnacht service that the Chapman University Interfaith Center has organized. The service was made possible with the help and support of Chapman Wicca, Disciples on Campus, Fish Interfaith Center, Health and Healing Club, Hillel, Latter-Day Saint Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Newman Catholic Fellowship, Religious Studies Honor Society (Theta Alpha Kappa), and the Rogers Center for Holocaust Education. A representative from each aforementioned group spoke at the service. The words that the students spoke of echoed sentiments of uniting in peace and remembering the tragedies endured by Jews, Romas, homosexuals, people with disabilities, and others deemed unworthy during the Holocaust.
In addition to the student speakers, reflections on Kristallnacht were made by Ambassador Dr. Bernd Fischer. He spoke of his experiences as the Former Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Los Angeles. His message was one of working together for a better future.
The evening ended with the Guest of Honor, Curt Lowens. Lowens was a 12 year old boy living in Berlin, Germany during the evening of Kristallnacht in 1938. He spoke about his memories from that awful night. Lowens reflected on what it was like to see his town destroyed, see his father for the last time, and use his unique acting skills to avoid death from the Nazis. Lowens was calm and well-spoken, his sincerity captured the audience and had many in tears. As he concluded his inspirational talk, Chapman brought out a birthday cake to celebrate his 90th birthday. The entire audience sang Happy Birthday, which was a special way to conclude the interfaith service of remembrance.