Bad Dürkheim remembers the victims: memories of the November pogroms in 1938

Bad Dürkheim remembers the victims: memories of the November pogroms in 1938

On November 7th, 2025, the dark history of the November pogroms of 1938, which also had a strong influence on Bad Dürkheim, will be remembered. The Strauss family in particular, led by Ludwig Strauss, was well-respected in the town and lived in a time marked by prejudice, which ultimately led to terrible violence. Karl Ochsenreither, a contemporary witness, has shared his memories of these tragic events in Bad Dürkheim and talks about the painful fate of this family, which, like many others in the German Reich, suffered under the influence of the National Socialist regime. His reporting is being published to mark today's anniversary to honor the memory of the victims and keep memories alive. As Rheinpfalz reports, a lecture by former state parliament member Manfred Geis about Ludwig Strauss led to memorable reflections on the events of the time time.

What exactly happened during the November pogroms? The violent actions against Jews began on the night of November 9th to 10th, 1938 and were supported by paramilitary groups of the SS and SA as well as the civilian population. These violent attacks resulted in the destruction of synagogues, businesses, and homes of Jewish citizens, with over 1,400 synagogues in Germany being set on fire. Many Jews were seriously injured or killed at that time. In Bad Dürkheim alone, these events were not without consequences for the local Jewish community, as bpb shows.

A fateful occasion

The trigger for these terrible acts of violence was the assassination attempt by the Jew Herschel Grynszpan on the German diplomat Ernst vom Rath on November 7, 1938. The NSDAP leadership shamelessly used this event to further fuel the already existing incitement against the Jewish population. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels called for 'spontaneous' demonstrations, which resulted in brutal riots. This night is considered a turning point, as from now on the systematic discrimination and persecution of Jewish people in Germany was announced more openly and violently. The bpb illustrates the massive impact by pointing out the number of arrests: around 30,000 Jewish men were deported to concentration camps.

The November pogroms left deep wounds and changed the reality of life for Jewish citizens in Germany. After these events, the opportunities for escape and emigration became increasingly limited. The establishment of anti-Semitic laws and increasing expropriations meant that many Jewish families no longer had a livelihood. This time of suffering and injustice is an unforgettable chapter in history.

Commemoration and remembrance

The memories and reports of contemporary witnesses are invaluable in preparing what happened for future generations. Karl Ochsenreither is committed to coming to terms with the past and shows that remembering the victims of the November pogroms is not only a duty, but also a reminder to all of us. The tragic fates, like that of the Strauss family, should never be forgotten so that such atrocities do not happen again.

In a country where prejudice and hatred are constantly emerging, it is even more important that we learn the lessons from history and work together to promote respectful coexistence.