Temple Concord, Temple Israel and Beth David Synagogue will participate in the international campaign marking the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, by leaving the lights on in the synagogues during the night of Tuesday-Wednesday, November 9-10. “Let There Be Light” is organized by March of the Living, the yearly teen educational travel program to Poland and Israel for Yom Hashoah and Yom Ha’atzmaut. All members of the community are also invited to mark the commemoration by leaving their lights on all night. 

On the night of November 9-10, 1938, the Nazis organized the murder of Jews and the burning of 1,400 synagogues and Jewish institutions in Germany and Austria as part of the Kristallnacht pogrom. The event is considered one of the seminal moments that led to the Holocaust. Individuals, institutions and houses of worship across the world will be keeping their lights on during that night. 

“We can shine forth light remembering a time of darkness and stand in protest against the rise of antisemitic events and hate crimes in our own time,” said organizers of the event. “It is important to add additional light this November in our community, to lift up courage, hope and standing for our values against antisemitism and hatred and racism of all kinds.”