A special Shabbat service was held recently at Temple Judea with a dual program commemorating Kristallnacht and honoring Veterans Day.
Kristallnacht occurred in Germany on Nov. 9, 1938, when attacks by German Nazis resulted in the capture or deaths of thousands of Jews and the destruction of Jewish synagogues and property. The name “Kristallnacht” means “crystal night” or “night of broken glass”, symbolizing the shattering of Jewish existence in Germany.
A powerful speech by Dr. Richard Quinlan described the ramifications of Kristallnacht in the immediate path to the Holocaust.
He also stressed the critical importance of upholding our civic and moral duty to speak up against acts of anti-Semitism and educate others about the Holocaust.
Quinlan earned his PhD from Gratz College in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and is now a Professor of Holocaust/Genocide Studies at Mercy College. Quinlan is the Scholar-in-Residence at the Irving Roth Holocaust Resource Center at Temple Judea
The program included music by violinist Lesley Rosenthal, COO of the Juilliard School, who accompanied Rabbi Todd Chizner and Cantor Deborah Jacobson in the prayers and songs of the Shabbat. Ted Rosenthal, a renowned jazz musician, described letters from his grandmother who wrote from Germany to Ted’s father in Chicago during the Nazi regime.
These letters were translated into English, and Ted composed a jazz opera, “Dear Erich” incorporating his grandmother’s words into the music. The opera was performed at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC and forthcoming at the Mahaiwe Theater in the Berkshires.
As a tribute to American veterans and recognition of Veterans Day, the president of Temple Judea, Mr. Paul Vegoda, spoke about his experience in the U.S. Air Force as captain on a Strategic Air Command B-52 Combat Crew. He expressed the gratitude we have for the veterans who served our country during periods of war.
Temple Judea (Reform), located at 333 Searingtown Road in Manhasset. New members are always welcome! For more information please call (516) 621-8049, or www.temple-judea.com
