Yinon: genocide

Showing posts with label genocide. Show all posts

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 2010 at 2:57 PM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

Tonight, November 9-10, marks the 72nd anniversary of Kristallnacht - the Night of Broken Glass.

It is called the "Night of Broken Glass" because on this night, in 1938, thousands of rioters stormed Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues causing enormous amounts of damage throughout Germany and Austria.

Just before midnight on November 9, the Gestapo chief Heinrich Müller sent a telegram to all police units informing them:

"In shortest order, actions against Jews and especially their synagogues will take place in all of Germany. These are not to be interfered with."

Instead of arresting the perpetrators of these events, police began rounding up and arresting the victims – Jews all over German occupied territories. Fire companies stood by synagogues in flames with explicit instructions to let the buildings burn. They were to intervene only if a fire threatened adjacent “Aryan” properties.

In two days and nights, more than 1,000 synagogues were burned or damaged, over 7,500 Jewish businesses were looted and ransacked, and at least 91 Jews were killed. Rioters also vandalized Jewish hospitals, homes, schools, and cemeteries. The attackers were often neighbors.

Some 30,000 Jewish males between 16 - 60 were arrested, and deported to concentration camps. Kristallnacht marked the beginning of the Holocaust.

72 years later we still remember, and will never forget!

Posted In Antisemitism, community, genocide, holocaust, Jewish History, Jews in the News | 3 comments |

Kristallnacht, Conflict, and the Congo

Nov 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

It seems quite fitting that on the eve of the 71st anniversary of Kristallnacht, Monique and I attended a staged reading of RUINED at the Kennedy Center in D.C. Written by award winning playwright Lynn Nottage, RUINED is a powerful presentation raising awareness of the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On days like Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance day) or the anniversary of Kristallnacht, it is easy to think of ourselves as being far removed from genocide, conflict, and tyranny. It is far too easy to think of these things as only happening in the past.

But genocide is happening today - in Sudan and in the Congo. And as far as the Congo, this conflict is fueled by us - you and me - directly by our cell phones, iPods, and other technology. Congo is rich in minerals. With the increased desire for greater technology comes a direct need for minerals - especially Coltan. As such, various militias are fighting over control of these minerals, mines, and trade routes in the Congo. We may not realize it, but our desire for the newest technology is directly affecting peoples lives.

Today, in 2009, people in the

Congo

are still being slaughtered. According to Wikipedia, people are dying at a rate of an estimated 45,000 per month and 2,700,000 people have died since 2004. Reports indicate that almost half of the individuals killed are children under the age of 5. The aftermath of the war has gutted the country.

The long and brutal conflict in the DRC has caused massive suffering for civilians. Additionally, there have been frequent reports of weapon bearers killing civilians, destroying property, and committing widespread sexual violence against women. On a daily basis, women are being beaten, killed, and raped. Soldiers daily force women into sexual slavery. Violence against women is rampant. And in DRC society, these women upon returning to their villages are spat upon, turned away, and rejected - treated as thought these dishonoring acts were their own fault.

The conflict in the DRC has caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, becoming refugees, flooding over the borders into neighboring countries.

On this 71st anniversary of the Kristallnacht and the beginning of the Holocaust, it is our obligation to stand up for others around the world who are being killed today. And there is something you and I can do about it!

We can raise attention to what is happening in Sudan and the DRC.

To learn more and to act visit these and other sites for change in the Congo:

Posted In genocide, holocaust, human rights, social justice, tikkun olam, women | 2 comments |