Kristallnacht To Be Remembered At Maltz Museum This November

BEACHWOOD, OH — In honor of the 73rd anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of the Broken Glass, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will run a week-long series of special public programs.

With Adolph Hitler and his Nazis in control of Germany, in 1938, antisemitism had been encouraged publicly for years. When a Jewish teenager protested the treatment of Jewish peoples, he assassinated a German diplomat. Hitler's response became the stuff of infamy.

On Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 a series of violent attacks were perpetrated against the Jewish community in Germany. Nazis burned 267 synagogues, destroyed 7,000 Jewish businesses, vandalized Jewish homes and schools, desecrated Jewish cemeteries and killed approximately 100 Jewish people. Nearly 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

The run of violence and destruction came to be known as Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass.

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Nazi party officials and Hitler Youth were told in advance to target Jewish homes and businesses, according to the Maltz Museum, but the violence was made to look spontaneous. Police and firefighters were told not to intervene unless a non-Jewish home or business was threatened.

"Not all non-Jewish citizens participated in Kristallnacht. Some individuals bravely aided Jewish families at the risk of being killed or sent to concentration camps. However, most Germans watched passively, their silence as bystanders signaling that violence against Jews could be taken further, marking a turning point in history. Many historians consider Kristallnacht the beginning of the Holocaust," Maltz officials said.

To remember this horrific stretch and honor the victims, the Maltz Museum has planned the following events.

Special Exhibition: Stories of Survival, Object. Image. Memory.

This is an exhibit showcasing more than 60 never-before-seen personal items brought to America by survivors of the Holocaust and genocide.

"Exploring the relationship between objects, their meaning to the original owner and subsequent significance, each artifact is dramatically paired with oversized photographs by renowned documentarian Jim Lommasson with handwritten responses by Survivors or their family members. Though the objects and memories start from very different origins, from Germany to Belgium to Armenia to Syria, common threads bind them all together. These are the threads that bind us all. They are the commonality of an immigrant experience, an American experience," Maltz officials said.

Theatrical performance: The Children of Willesden Lane

Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., in-person at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, free admission

"The Children of Willesden Lane is a critically acclaimed one-woman theatrical performance by concert pianist Mona Golabek. The show is based on her book of the same name, recounting her mother’s story of survival, resilience, and triumph during the Holocaust. Suitable for sixth grade and up. A special virtual performance will also be offered on Monday, November 8 at 11am for schools and classrooms. Visit the museum’s website for more information," Maltz officials said in an email.

Kristallnacht, A teachable moment

Nov. 9 at 1 p.m., virtual on Zoom, free to attend

"Kristallnacht is often viewed as a turning point. On this night, November 9, 1938, the persecution of the Jews became dramatically visible and undeniable. Marking the anniversary of Kristallnacht presents a unique teachable moment: what happens when people are deprived of basic rights and others stand by without acting? How does escalation occur? Why is it so important to fight hatred? Students and their teachers are invited to join this special webinar, presented by Sheryl Ochayon of Yad Vashem, to explore these issues," Maltz officials said.

Bearing Witness: Holocaust Survivor Stories

Nov. 10 at 11 a.m., virtual on Zoom, free to attend

"Every week, you can hear from first and second-generation Holocaust survivors, sharing their stories of life before, during, and after the Holocaust. This free online series is produced in partnership with Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati. This week, Dr. Al Miller, who attended the Berlin Olympics, escaped from Germany at age 15 before being reunited with his parents in England, will share his personal and powerful story," Maltz officials said.

Holocaust documentary: Muranow

Nov. 11 at 3 p.m., virtual on Zoom, free to attend

"We are proud to present a free documentary film series exploring themes related to the Holocaust and other genocides with our partner, Classrooms Without Borders. This week, topic experts will discuss the film, Muranow. During World War II the Muranow neighborhood in Warsaw, Poland was turned into the Warsaw Ghetto. Today thousands of Polish people live in the rebuilt neighborhood, yet its dark past keeps haunts the residents. A link to watch the film for free, prior to the talk-back, will be provided at registration," Maltz officials said.

New exhibit: Violins and Hope, From the Holocaust to Symphony Hall

Nov. 12 at sundown, Shabbat of Remembrance, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. for artist talk and book launch, and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m for an art walk and talk.

All events to be held in-person at The Temple-Tifereth Israel.

"The Maltz Museum is proud to partner with The Temple-Tifereth Israel on programing for the launch of their new exhibition Violins and Hope, on view Nov 12 - Feb 27, 2022. See renowned Israeli luthier (violin maker) Amnon Weinstein’s workshop come alive in more than 30 large scale photographs by Daniel Levin. The first photographer to document Amnon’s workshop in Tel Aviv, Levin captures a one-of-a-kind collection of violins that survived the Holocaust and the artful process for restoring them. Come for one, two, or all three events!" Maltz officials said.