Rabbi Weill's Blog

Dear Friends,

Kristallnacht – the two-day pogrom – occurred on November 9 and 10, 1938, in communities throughout Germany and Austria.

For us, this is no mere history. Congregations Ezra and Habonim were founded by German Jewish refugees in 1938, on the north and south sides respectively. Those congregations merged to form Ezra-Habonim in 1973. The merger between Niles Township Jewish Congregation and Ezra-Habonim require us – EHNTJC – to commemorate Kristallnacht each year.

Our Kristallnacht-Yom Ha’Shoah committee is busy planning this year’s commemoration. It will take place on Wednesday evening, November 10, following minyan. I will be honored to interview our own Evie Lowenthal, whose family was directly and grievously impacted by Kristallnacht. Cantor Gale will present music of German-Jewish composers Kurt Weill and Paul Dessau.

We encourage all to attend either in person or virtually. Please remember that we must teach our children about this sad chapter in our history. (All who attend must show proof of vaccination; pandemic protocols will be observed.)

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill