GENEVA – The historic Beth Yaacov Synagogue hosted a commemoration on Monday evening, 10 November, marking the anniversary of the November Pogrom of 9–10 November 1938. Known as Kristallnacht, it marked a decisive escalation in Nazi Germany’s campaign against the Jews: hundreds were killed, synagogues and businesses were destroyed, and more than 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and deported to the first concentration camps. The event was organized by the World Jewish Congress and the Jewish Community of Geneva, with the support of the Gamaraal Foundation, and brought together more than 150 participants, including around 20 ambassadors and other representatives of UN member states.
Moderated by WJC’s International Relations Officer Damon Biesold, the evening began with opening remarks from Mrs. Roseline Cisier, president of the Jewish Community of Geneva.
Ambassador Antje Leendertse, German Permanent Representative to the UN, reflected on the historic devastation Germany embodies since the November Pogrom. Eighty-seven years later, she noted, German Jewry still fear expressing their identities, especially after the October 7 terror attacks in Israel. But symbolic gestures like the reopening of a synagogue on Reichenbachstraße in Munich — one of the world’s very few Bauhaus synagogues destroyed in 1938 — demonstrate that there is still a vibrant Jewish life in Germany today. The November Pogrom, Amb. Leendertse said, continues to demand “awareness, courage, and a clear voice of responsibility in Germany today.”
Delivering opening remarks, Ambassador Daniel Meron, Israeli Permanent Representative to the UN and, whose country serves as Chair of the IHRA for the 2025-2026 term, drew a poignant connection between the ‘Night of the Broken Glass’ and the surge of antisemitism in the modern era. Reflecting on the Israeli IHRA Presidency motto “Crossroads of Generations,” Amb. Meron highlighted how Kristallnacht truly began “when hateful propaganda became normal and widespread” as mass communication was exploited by the Nazi Party so that “when the time came for clear and unequivocal orders, those who accepted hatred in their hearts could follow.”
He further warned that social media is weaponized today to dehumanize and threaten the Jewish people worldwide, evident in the burning of synagogues, the murder of innocent Israelis, and the attacks on Jewish institutions across the world. Underscoring the power of reaching mass audiences through speech, Ambassador Meron called on attendees to “ensure that the shattered glass of 1938 does not echo in the shattered lives of 2025.
Also taking the floor, Ambassador Anna Ifkovits of Switzerland spoke about her country’s historical stance. She acknowledged Switzerland’s restrictive refugee policy during that period and expressed regret for the human consequences that resulted from it.
The program then featured a lecture by historian Mr. Tal Bruttmann, “The November Pogrom: A Turning Point,” which offered a clear analysis of the event’s historical impact and broader context. Dr. Fabienne Regard complemented his presentation by showcasing archival materials from the period preserved by the Jewish Community of Geneva, offering an important link between local memory and broader historical narratives. Works by N. Borenstein, E. Bloch, and J. Achron were performed throughout the evening by violinist Mrs. Bianca Asséo.
