Erin Ben-Moche’s article in the Jewish Journal, “March of the Living Remembers Kristallnacht in Illuminated Campaign,” inspired me to be a light. As technology progresses and people become increasingly willing to open up about traumatic experiences, we learn how a single event can shape the future. Kristallnacht survivor Senta Graff wrote these words in an email: “Our synagogue [was] in flames. SS people stormed into our house, broke furniture and windows and threw massive valuables into the street below. They commanded my parents and myself to walk up to the next floor. As I walked, I said the Sh’ma. I was overheard by one of the SS officers and he said to me, ‘Your GOD does not hear you!’” It is shocking to see how the amount of evil done in one night triggered even more evil.
I grew up in a third world country, and I do not recollect ever being taught about the Holocaust when I was a child. From time to time, my mother would read Proverbs and other books in the Bible to me, but I was never taught about the people of the Book. I know for a fact that there are thousands, if not millions, of people who grew up like me — not knowing anything about the Holocaust. As a young adult, I have realized how important it is to know history; if not, we unfortunately repeat it. I try to teach my siblings, nieces, and nephews; if I don’t, who will? It is important that we raise our voices. Mrs. Graff stated that “remembering the Holocaust is important because, ‘we owe [those who have died] so much. It is imperative to never to be silent again and it is our responsibility to educate [and] never to be silent or indifferent to evil.’”
This article generated various emotional responses for me. I asked myself, “Why are we selfish?” Although It is easy to mistreat others, it often takes effort and internal battle to stand up and speak up for the ones that are being persecuted. What must we do to make a difference? It all starts at home, but it must not stop there. My dad is a surgeon, and he reads extensively at home, but if all the knowledge he gathers from those books is not put into practice, what is the point? We must take a stand and unite, as the psalmist declares: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1,The Complete Jewish Bible)
This November 9th, as we remember Kristallnacht, make sure to remember Jewish people whose homes and businesses were destroyed and those who perished that night in 1938.
