For the past 23 years Kristallnacht has been remembered by Seton Hill University(SHU) students in St. Joseph Chapel. Kristallnacht, “The Night of Broken Glass,” took place on Nov. 9-10, 1938. It consisted of a series of attacks against Jews and their homes, shops and synagogues. Many Jews were arrested and taken to concentration camps.
By Giannina Gonzalez
Staff Writer
For the past 23 years Kristallnacht has been remembered by Seton Hill University(SHU) students in St. Joseph Chapel. Kristallnacht, “The Night of Broken Glass,” took place on Nov. 9-10, 1938. It consisted of a series of attacks against Jews and their homes, shops and synagogues. Many Jews were arrested and taken to concentration camps.
The impact of these events on history has been profound. Kristallnacht is remembered all around the world.
On Tuesday, Nov. 2 people of all ages gathered in the chapel for the Interfaith Service of Remembrance.
Present were three survivors and one rescuer who made statements of their own Kristallnacht experiences.
Shulamit Bastacky commented that she had been coming to SHU for over 20 years for the Kristallnacht remembrance service. A child survivor of the Holocaust, Bastacky was rescued by a Catholic nun. She comes to the remembrance service to honor both her relatives and the nun who saved her life. She urged attendees to make a difference in the world. Following was Solange Lebovitz, born in Paris and protected by an older Catholic couple in Normandy.
Sam Weinreb and his wife Goldie, were the sole survivors in their family. Les Banos was a rescuer who saved 300 lives using his aunt’s factory.
Following the statements was the lighting of the candles. Readings about the struggles and realities of Kristallnacht served as a reminder of the events that took place 72 years ago.
“I liked the prayer service. I was surprised there was not more on the stories of the survivors. I think a lot of other students thought the same thing,” said freshman Livia Vissat.
Following the service was the presentation of the Second Ethel LeFrak Outstanding Student Scholar of the Holocaust Award. The Second Ethel LeFrak Outstanding Student Scholar of the Holocaust Award was presented by holocaust studies program adviser James Paharik. The award is part of an essay contest through the holocaust studies program. High School teacher and graduate student in the genocidal and holocaust studies program Jennifer Goss won the award. Runner up was Christopher Anderson also in the genocidal and holocaust studies program. Mariah Rettenmeir, an undergraduate sophomore, received an honorable mention.