Observance of the 85th Anniversary of the Night of Broken Glass Pogrom
In the heart of Germany, the city of Pforzheim and the Jewish Community of Pforzheim recently commemorated the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht. The solemn event, held on November 11, 2023, at the Volksbank House, was a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history.
Mayor Peter Boch, in his opening address, emphasised the importance of this collective remembrance, especially in today's times. He stated that it is their historical responsibility to keep alive the memory of all victims and crimes of the National Socialists.
The commemoration, organised annually by the city of Pforzheim, the Jewish Community, the Association of Christian Communities (ACG), and representatives of Pforzheim schools, began with a musical opening. Fenella Bockmaier, a talented pianist, performed "Prélude pour la main gauche" by Alexander Skrjabin, setting a sombre yet reflective tone for the day.
Rabbi Moshe Yudelevitz led a prayer during the commemoration, followed by speeches from Rami Suliman, chairman of the Jewish Community, and historian and author Jeff Klotz, who gave a lecture on remembrance culture and the Jewish community.
Nina Breunig and Hannah Vitos, students of the Hilda-Gymnasium, presented the "Geschichte AKTIV" project, which offers a digital city tour or can be used in history lessons. The project includes eight short films on the historical background of Pforzheim under National Socialism, available on the website www.spurensuche-pforzheim.de.
A joint wreath-laying by the city and the Jewish community took place at the memorial on the "Synagogue Square". Mayor Boch expressed sympathy for the victims and their families of the recent attacks in Israel, condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the nation.
As of the latest available information, the Pforzheim city office has not released a recent statement regarding the current situation in Israel. For the most current statement, it would be best to check recent local news sources or official announcements from the Pforzheim city office.
The commemoration was carried out with the support of Volksbank, reaffirming their commitment to remembering and learning from the past. This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, empathy, and remembrance in the face of adversity.
The annual commemoration of Kristallnacht in Pforzheim, Germany, underscores the significance of policy-and-legislation and politics in shaping societal responses to historical atrocities. The mayor's statements highlight the importance of general-news reporting, as it plays a crucial role in keeping the memories of victims and crimes alive, fostering empathy and unity in today's world.
