On November 9, 1938 the Nazis and some of their supporters began a two-day spree of destruction in Germany, Austria and other territories, torching synagogues, vandalising Jewish homes, schools and businesses and killing almost 100 Jews. Recognised as the onset of the Holocaust, the attack is known as Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass).
About 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. German Jews had already been subjected to discriminatory policies and civil rights violations since 1933, when Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. After Kristallnacht, conditions for German Jews grew increasingly ominous, and during World War II th Nazis implemented their so-called “Final Solution” – a plan to annihilate all Jews. The outcome was the systematic murder of six million European Jews in what has come to be known as the Holocaust.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies organises an annual Kristallnacht commemoration at which Holocaust survivors, their descendants and communal leaders are joined by members of parliament, councillors, diplomats and leaders of other faith and ethnic communities in a ceremony that pays tribute to the victims of Kristallnacht and acknowledges the event as a warning sign of the genocide which was to follow.
![](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Dreifus-and-Co..jpg)
![](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Ruins-of-Jewish-shop-after-Kristallnacht.jpg)
![](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Synagogue-in-Aachen.jpg)
A Jewish-run shop in Germany, after being vandalized by Nazis and covered with antisemitic graffiti on November 10, 1938: AFP/Getty Images.
A destroyed Jewish shop in Berlin on November 11, 1938, after the anti-Jewish violence of Kristallnacht: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images.
View of the old synagogue in Aachen after its destruction on Kristallnacht: Stadtarchiv Aachen.
![](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Synagogue-in-Hechingen.jpg)
![](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Ruins-of-Peter-Gemeinder-Strasse-Synagogue.jpg)
![](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Boemestrasse-Synagogue-frankfurt.jpg)
Destroyed interior of the Hechingen synagogue on the day after Kristallnacht: Dr Adolf Vees.
Children play among the ruins of the Peter Gemeinder Strasse synagogue in Beerfelden that was destroyed during Kristallnacht: Stadtarchiv Beefelden.
The Boemestrasse Synagogue in Frankfurt burns on November 10, 1938: Yad Vashem.
Kristallnacht commemorations
See our latest Kristallnacht commemoration:
![Beate Hammett](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_173-768x512.jpg)
![Tony Colman](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_156-768x512.jpg)
![Tony Colman](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_162-768x512.jpg)
![Beate Hammett](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_170-768x512.jpg)
![Ezry Israel](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_175-768x512.jpg)
![Len Mahemoff OAM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_185-768x512.jpg)
![Dane Stern, Chair Shoah Remembrance](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_186-768x512.jpg)
![Michael Gawenda AM, Carly Adno](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_190-768x512.jpg)
![Michael Gawenda AM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_192-768x512.jpg)
![Carly Adno](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_194-768x512.jpg)
![Professor Konrad Kweit](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_223-768x512.jpg)
![Sasha Fisher](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_234-768x512.jpg)
![Ben Adler, Remi Owen, Chutney](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_237-768x512.jpg)
![Remi Owen](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_240-768x512.jpg)
![Remi Owen, Ben Adler, Chutney](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_251-768x512.jpg)
![Julian Leeser MP, Beate Hammett](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_252-768x512.jpg)
![Jillian Segal AO, Ronbert Goot AO SC](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_253-768x512.jpg)
![Michael Gawenda AM, Allegra Spender MP](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_254-768x512.jpg)
![Beate Hammett, Isabel Shur, Zoe Simons](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_255-768x512.jpg)
![Bianca, Barbara, Dane and Marianne Stern](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_256-768x512.jpg)
![Steven Lowy AM, Judy Lowy OAM, Professor Zehavit Gross, Murray Norman](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_257-768x512.jpg)
![Steven Lowy AM, Judy Lowy OAM, Emeritus Professor Suzanne Rutland OAM, Professor Zehavit Gross](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_258-768x512.jpg)
![Fiona Harari, Michael Gawenda AM, Andrew Silvers](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_259-768x512.jpg)
![Mark Coure MP, The Hon Damien Tudehope MLC, Kellie Sloane MP, Matt Cross MP, Cr Will Nemesh, Cr Daniel Rosenfeld](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_260-768x512.jpg)
![Brian Gold, Anna Berger](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_001-768x512.jpg)
![Carly Adno, Michael Gawenda](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_001A-768x508.jpg)
![Tony Colman, Beate Hammett](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_002-768x512.jpg)
![Tony Colman, Beate Hammett, Alexa Cloud](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_003-768x512.jpg)
![Rachel, Akiva and Levy Tanny](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_005-768x512.jpg)
![Robyn Bloch, Bella Sevitt, David and Sandra Solomons](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_006-768x512.jpg)
![Murray Norman, Professor Zehavit Gross, Emeritus Progessor Suzanne Rutland OAM, Richard Glass](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_008-768x512.jpg)
![Irving and Robyn Wienberg, Robyn Bloom](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_009-768x512.jpg)
![Sue and Roger Clifford](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_010-768x512.jpg)
![Shiran Shahmir, Bev and Frank Solsky](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_011-768x512.jpg)
![Zina Kaplan, Jennie Houseman](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_012-768x512.jpg)
![Ingrid and Peter Zelas, Ellen Meyer](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_013-768x512.jpg)
![Professor Konrad Kweit, Jane Kweit, Jennie Houseman](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_014-768x512.jpg)
![Abe James, Jenny Hillman](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_015-768x512.jpg)
![Michelle Roth, Henry Weinreich](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_016-768x512.jpg)
![Shelley Wald, Mandi Lipner](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_017-768x512.jpg)
![Pearl and Michael Jassy](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_018-768x512.jpg)
![Les and Ruth Lilian](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_019-768x512.jpg)
![Jackie Willis, Eve Hillinger](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_020-768x512.jpg)
![Ron, Mavis and Teresa Pirola](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_021-768x512.jpg)
![John and Mary Ziegler, Bob and Eva Gertler](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_022-768x512.jpg)
![John and Anita Ingster](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_023-768x512.jpg)
![Jennie Houseman, Jaffa Haber, Bev and Les Brandon](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_024-768x512.jpg)
![Shiran Shahmir, Meinoo Toussi, Maani Taghizadeh](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_025-768x512.jpg)
![Marianne and Barbara Stern](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_026-768x512.jpg)
![Dane Stern, Cr Daniel Rosenfeld](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_030-768x512.jpg)
![Joshua Kirsh, Liam O'Callaghan](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_031-768x512.jpg)
![Dane Stern, Alexa Cloud, Melissa McCurdie](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_032-768x512.jpg)
![Carly Adno, Michael Gawenda AM, Susan Moses](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_033-768x512.jpg)
![Jaffa Haber, Professor Konrad Kweit, Jane Kweit](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_034-768x512.jpg)
![Len Mahemoff OAM, Dorit Mahemoff](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_035-768x512.jpg)
![Rosita Armer, Michael Gawenda AM, Fiona Harari](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_036-768x512.jpg)
![Dane Stern, Jose Alberto Ortiz](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_037-768x512.jpg)
![Roland Gridiger OAM and Ilana Gridiger](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_038-768x512.jpg)
![Lea Friedlander and Ernie Friedlander OAM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_039-768x512.jpg)
![George Bognar and Rony Bognar OAM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_040-768x512.jpg)
![Julia Sussman, Melissa McCurdie](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_041-768x512.jpg)
![Zoe Booth, Jonathan Sankey](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_042-768x512.jpg)
![Diane and Paul Drexler](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_043-768x512.jpg)
![Mimi Wise, Susan Warhaftig](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_044-768x512.jpg)
![Eleanor Greenberg, Lilly Wolf](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_045-768x512.jpg)
![Vivienne and Charles Beck](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_046-768x512.jpg)
![Barry McCurdie, The Hon Yasmin Catley MP, Vic Alhadeff OAM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_047-768x512.jpg)
![Ted Popper, Beate Hammett, Alexa Cloud](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_048-768x512.jpg)
![Rob Schneider, Cr Will Nemesh](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_049-768x512.jpg)
![Anne Melkman, Jacqui Garber, Sister Giovanni Farquer](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_050-768x512.jpg)
![Roz Levin, Susie Berk](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_051-768x512.jpg)
![Denyse Bernstein, Natalie Rubinstein](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_052-768x512.jpg)
![Jane Kweit, Professor Konrad Kweit, Roma Shell](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_053-768x512.jpg)
![Sam Zweig, Kerry Isaacs](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_054-768x512.jpg)
![Mark Coure MP, The Hon Rod Roberts MLC](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_055-768x512.jpg)
![Natascha Senftleben, Felix Schwarz](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_056-768x512.jpg)
![Kellie Sloane MP, Justin Moddel](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_057-768x512.jpg)
![Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP, Liam O'Callaghan](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_058-768x512.jpg)
![Murray Norman, Peter Wertheim AM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_059-768x512.jpg)
![Allegra Spender MP, Emeritus Professor Suzanne Rutland OAM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_060-768x512.jpg)
![Michael Gawenda AM, Mark Scott](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_061-768x512.jpg)
![Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP, Liam O'Callaghan, Cr Will Nemesh](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_062-768x512.jpg)
![Daniel O'Connor, Zoe Booth, Kara Borecki, Jonathan Sankey](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_063-768x512.jpg)
![Michael Gawenda AM, Mark Scott](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_064-768x512.jpg)
![Louise Cantillon, Felix Schwarz, Dane Stern, Jose Alberto Ortiz](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_065-768x512.jpg)
![Tom Curtis, Jillian Segal AO, Nathalie Samia](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_066-768x512.jpg)
![Robert Goot AO SC, The Hon Jacqui Munro MLC, Peter Wertheim AM](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_067-768x512.jpg)
![Roger Selby, Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP, Liam O'Callaghan, Lesli Berger](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_068-768x512.jpg)
![Miriam and Egon Sonnenschein](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_069-768x512.jpg)
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![The Hon Justice Stephen Rothman AM, Rabbi Shua Solomon, Roger Selby](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_085-768x512.jpg)
![Louise Cantillon, Matt Cross MP](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_086-768x512.jpg)
![Roland Gridiger OAM and Ilana Gridiger, Julian Leeser MO](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_087-768x512.jpg)
![Sasha Fisher](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_089-768x512.jpg)
![NJBD24_KC_091](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_091-768x512.jpg)
![NJBD24_KC_092](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_092-768x512.jpg)
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![Remi Owen](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_094-768x512.jpg)
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![David Ossip, President NSW Jewish Board of Deputies](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_101-768x512.jpg)
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![Ben Adler](https://nswjbd.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/NJBD24_KC_109-768x512.jpg)