On Sunday (November 8), the Jewish Community of Erlangen and the City of Erlangen jointly commemorated Kristallnacht, which took place on November 9 and 10, 1938, at the Jewish Cemetery and called for a resolute stand against anti-Semitism, racism, and extremism. The event marked the 88th anniversary of the Nazi pogroms, which rank among the most shameful events in Erlangen’s history.
Mayor Jörg Volleth, Ester Limburg-Klaus, chairwoman of the Jewish Community, and Pastor Susanne Gillmann, representing the Christian churches, commemorated the persecution of Jewish people in Erlangen before a large gathering of guests. Among the participants were District President Kerstin Engelhardt-Blum, the former chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Erlangen, Rose Wanninger, as well as members of the State Parliament, the District Council, and the City Council.
On the Night of the Pogrom, Jewish citizens in Erlangen, Baiersdorf, and Forth were dragged from their homes by the police and the SA in full view of the public and detained and mistreated at the Palais Stutterheim, which served as the town hall at the time. Homes, shops, and the prayer hall on Einhornstraße were vandalized and looted. After standing for hours, women and children were taken to the Wöhrmühle homeless shelter, where they were held for days. Men were herded in a publicly staged humiliation march to the former district court prison on Hauptstraße, imprisoned there, and subsequently transferred to the Nuremberg prison. Many residents of Erlangen witnessed what was happening. Many participated or looked the other way and remained silent even when the majority of their former neighbors later “disappeared” without a trace—murdered in ghettos, in concentration and extermination camps, or having taken their own lives.
The speakers drew parallels to the present and emphasized the responsibility of each individual. At a time when anti-democratic forces and extremist ideologies are once again on the rise worldwide, and anti-Semitic hostility, xenophobia, and violence are increasing, remembrance, caution, and taking a clear stand are particularly important, according to the consensus of the speeches.
“Commemorating the victims must not be limited to looking back at history. It challenges us in the here and now—every day,” said Mayor Jörg Volleth. “Let us remain vigilant wherever people are marginalized. Let us speak out when hatred threatens to gain the upper hand. Remembrance is not a state of being, but a mission: for the dignity of the individual and for an unwavering ‘Never again’!” Volleth continued.
Members of the city council, along with Volleth and Mayor Eva Linhart, read aloud the names of the Shoah victims from Erlangen. In accordance with Jewish tradition, stones were laid and candles lit. Rabbi Reuven Guberman recited a prayer. The musical program was provided by the group “Die Botaniker,” who used their songs to advocate for peace, freedom, democracy, and human rights.
