November 8, 2023

MCALLEN – Temple Emanuel will participated in the 15^th annual “Light from the Synagogue” initiative by leaving the lights on a Thursday night into Friday morning to commemorate the 85^th anniversary of Kristallnacht during which dozens and perhaps hundreds of Jews were murdered, and hundreds of synagogues were burned down in Nazi Germany, Austria, the Sudetenland, and Czechoslovakia.

The events of Kristallnacht, referred to in English as the “night of broken glass,” came to be known as such due to the broken glass that could be found filling the streets following the destruction and looting of not only synagogues, but approximately 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses, Jewish homes, and Jewish cemeteries as well. This was also the beginning of Jews being arrested by the Nazis and taken to concentration camps, with approximately 30,000 Jewish men being taken.

The German government charged the Jewish people for the attacks they suffered, levying a one billion reichsmark (approximately $400 million) fine against the Jewish community and confiscating insurance payments that were meant for those whose businesses and homes were robbed and destroyed.

Although the Holocaust, during which 6 million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis, is generally considered to have taken place from 1941-45, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, “the events of Kristallnacht represented one of the most important turning points in National Socialist antisemitic policy. Historians have noted that after the pogrom, anti-Jewish policy was concentrated more and more concretely into the hands of the SS. Moreover, the passivity with which most German civilians responded to the violence signaled to the Nazi regime that the German public was prepared for more radical measures.”

“Light from the Synagogue” was started by Israel’s Religious Kibbutz Movement together with the World Zionist Organization in 2008. Synagogues around the world now participate in the initiative, not only keeping their lights on overnight, but teaching their congregations about the history of Kristallnacht. Many churches are expected to participate this year as well, helping to show Christian support for world Jewry.

“When there is so much suffering today, it is critical that we come together not only as Jews, but as human beings and remember what led to the darkest moment in the long history of the Jewish people,” Temple Emanuel Rabbi Nathan Farb said. “It is difficult to understand how Kristallnacht could have happened, and here we are 85 years later trying to understand how the massacre of October 7 could happen. After the Holocaust, we said ‘never again.’ We cannot let never again be now. Never again needs to mean never again.”

This year’s “Light from the Synagogue” event comes as Temple Emanuel strives to “Be the Light” for the Jewish community in the Rio Grande Valley as the war in Israel enters its second month following the gruesome murder of more than 1,400 Jews in Israel by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, and the ongoing fire of rockets, mortars, and more from Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups toward Israel. Additionally, the Jewish community continues to call and pray for the release of about 240 hostages, including at least one Holocaust survivor among the elderly, babies and more, who were taken from Israel into Gaza on Oct. 7.

Temple Emanuel is leaving two empty seats on the pulpit every week in honor of the hostages who cannot pray with their families by placing their posters on the chairs. This past Shabbat, Temple Emanuel began with two hostages related to a member of the congregation – Carmel Gat, 39, and Yarden Roman, 36, who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri.

Temple Emanuel is making blue ribbon pins available at the Temple for anyone looking to outwardly show their support for releasing the hostages. Blue ribbons have also been tied around two trees at the front of the Temple Emanuel grounds.

To “Be the Light” for the community, Temple Emanuel recently held a successful donation drive for Mujeres Unidas, an organization that supports victims of domestic violence, including women and children.

Temple Emanuel is next participating in an interfaith service of thanksgiving and hope on Sunday at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in McAllen during which canned and boxed food donations will be collected benefiting the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.

“I am grateful for our beautiful Temple Emanuel community for the light we bring into the world, and the work we do together in hopes for a better tomorrow,” Temple Emanuel President Annie Holand Miller said.

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