Celebration of the 85th Anniversary of the Night of Broken Glass, a pivotal event in Nazi Germany's anti-Jewish campaign
In the heart of Pforzheim, Germany, a poignant memorial event was held on November 10, 2023, marking the 85th anniversary of the Reichspogromnacht. The city, in collaboration with the Jewish Community of Pforzheim, the Association of Christian Communities (ACG), representatives from local schools, and Volksbank, organised this solemn occasion to remember the victims of the National Socialist regime.
The event began at 11:30 AM in the atrium of the Volksbank House. Fenella Bockmaier, a renowned pianist, opened the ceremony with a moving performance of "Prélude pour la main gauche" by Alexander Skrjabin. Historian and author Jeff Klotz then delivered a lecture on the culture of remembrance and the Jewish community in Pforzheim.
Rami Suliman, chairman of the Jewish Community, addressed the attendees, followed by a prayer led by Rabbi Moshe Yudelevitz. A joint wreath-laying by the city and the Jewish community was held at the memorial on the "Synagogue Square".
The memorial event also featured a digital map, available at www.spurensuche-pforzheim.de, which showcases biographical information and historical visual material of former Pforzheimers persecuted by the NS regime. Eight short films, created in collaboration with a professional documentary filmmaker, illuminate the historical background of Pforzheim under National Socialism.
Mayor Peter Boch emphasized the importance of joint remembrance and commemoration, stating that it is their historical responsibility to keep alive the memory of all victims and crimes of the National Socialists. Boch also spoke about the current situation in Israel and condemned the recent attacks.
The project "History ACTIVE" includes a digital map, offering a digital city tour or a valuable resource for history lessons to deal with regional history. Nina Breunig and Hannah Vitos, students of the Hilda-Gymnasium, presented the project.
In a show of solidarity, Boch expressed sympathy for the victims and their families of the recent attacks in Israel. The website for the project, www.spurensuche-pforzheim.de, will be available from November 10, 2023.
Context: This escalation in Israel is part of the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, marked by repeated cycles of violence, blockades, and negotiations. The current attacks involve intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza, particularly targeting Gaza City and Hamas operatives, as part of ongoing conflict now in its 677th day as of August 13, 2025.
The situation remains highly volatile and sensitive, with significant humanitarian and political ramifications. The UN and other international actors continue to call for de-escalation and humanitarian relief alongside political solutions.
- The memorial event in Pforzheim, Germany, on November 10, 2023, included a lecture by historian Jeff Klotz on the culture of remembrance and the Jewish community, aligning with the general news discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Mayor Peter Boch, during the memorial event, expressed sympathy for the victims and their families of the recent attacks in Israel, signaling a connection between local politics in Pforzheim and the broader war-and-conflicts context, including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
