Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass”, was a pogrom that occurred November 9-10, 1938. It was the first organized, government-sanctioned act of violence against the Jews in Germany. It marks the start of the systematic violence against Jews during the Holocaust. Each year, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh holds an event to commemorate this important turning point in history.
Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh’s annual Kristallnacht program is generously supported by Edgar Snyder.
2023 Kristallnacht Programs
Resonance of Hope: Building Bridges Through Music
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
University of Pittsburgh Alumni Hall – Anderson Auditorium
Hear the premiere of a work by composer Gerald Cohen and performed by Rabbi/Cantor Jeffrey Myers and the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, especially commissioned for this event.
Alongside with CAPA Vocal Department members, vocalist Anita Levels will sing songs from the Civil Rights Movement; CAPA’s Theatre Arts program students will read quotes from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King; and poet Danielle Obisie-Orlu will introduce a piece she wrote for the event.
We will also recognize Kristallnacht, the night of shattered glass, which occurred on November 9, 1938, through poetry about the Holocaust by Valerie Bacharach and music by Jewish and Black American composers commissioned by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and performed by Pittsburgh Symphony musicians David McCarroll and Tatjana Mead Chamis, and cellist Angela Park.
This concert is produced by Flavio Chamis and Gerald Savage.
A Conversation with Holocaust Survivor Albert Farhy
Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Chatham University’s Eddy Theatre
The first of our “Elizabeth Sylvian Memorial Lectures,” which address issues related to the Holocaust, including lessons still to be learned and implications for the 21st century. This program also marks the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “night of broken glass,” the organized pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany.
Albert Farhy was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the age of 13, he was forced into a ghetto then almost sent to a concentration camp, before Bulgarian officials stepped in to prevent his deportation. Albert will discuss topics including his life before and during the Holocaust, and his rescue at the hands of the Bulgarian officials. He will also recount stories about the presence of music in his life, as his father was once a musician, who played the violin and was involved with the Jewish Symphony of Bulgaria.
Your support enables us to continue our work and expand our reach with more programs like this. The recommended donation for this event is $10, but registration is free and cost should not be a barrier to attendance. There will be an option to donate when reserving your ticket, or if you’d prefer to donate directly through the Holocaust Center’s website, click here.
*Please note, this is an in-person event.