Memorial trail in Bayreuth: Warning against growing anti-Semitism!

Memorial trail in Bayreuth: Warning against growing anti-Semitism!

Today, November 9, 2025, the Night of the Reich Pogrom is commemorated in Bayreuth, Germany, which is celebrating its 87th anniversary. This dark hour in German history is being honored as part of a memorial trail organized by the German-Israeli Society of Bayreuth-Upper Franconia. Among the participants was Thomas Brüggemann, the deputy chairman of the society, who warned urgently about the increasing anti-Semitism in Germany and pointed out the frightening signs of violence and hate speech against fellow Jews.

In his remarks, Brüggemann emphasized the need to remember the horrors of the Shoah and the depressing chapters of Germany's past. The increase in threats and the protection of synagogues and memorial sites under police protection makes it clear that anti-Semitism is no longer a fringe phenomenon, but rather represents a problem for society as a whole. Particularly explosive are the false equations between Israel and terrorist organizations, which are increasingly leading to calls for boycotts against Jews.

The memorial route

The memorial trail extends over five houses that were inhabited by Jewish families until 1938. In front of these buildings, the life stories of those who were abducted were brought to life in order to keep their memories alive. During the event, musical contributions from the Zamir Choir accompanied the commemoration ceremonies. Around 30 people took part in this important event, which clearly focuses on the ongoing relevance of anti-Semitism.

A look into history

Kristallnacht, also known as Kristallnacht, took place on November 9th and 10th, 1938. The trigger was the murder of the German diplomat Ernst vom Rath by the Polish Jew Herschel Grynszpan. These brutal attacks were a response to the anti-Semitic sentiment that had heated up since Hitler came to power in 1933 and the strict anti-Jewish laws that deprived Jews of their civil rights.

The pogrom claimed over 91 lives and led to the destruction of more than 1,400 synagogues and the devastation of more than 7,000 Jewish businesses. Around 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and taken to concentration camps. These events mark a turning point from social and economic exclusion to open violence against Jews and are considered a harbinger of the Holocaust.

The international outcry was great: foreigners and the media emphatically condemned the events. The US withdrew its ambassador and other countries broke off diplomatic relations. As a result, over 115,000 Jews fled Germany within just ten months.

In summary, the memorial trail in Bayreuth is not only a look back at the horrors of the past, but also an urgent appeal to stand up against the current threat of anti-Semitism. It is crucial to remember this part of history to avoid similar mistakes in the future. The challenges that Jewish people face today illustrate the continued importance of such remembrance events.

For more information about Kristallnacht and its historical significance, visit Wikipedia or read the detailed report on Kurier.