Riverdale marks Kristallnacht with 4 events

Four events in Riverdale will commemorate next week’s anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass” in Germany that set the stage for the Holocaust.

•On Sunday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 pm, the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale/The Bayit will hear from Janet R. Kirchheimer, a community member whose father was among those rounded up during the horrors of Nov. 9-10, 1938.

Kirchheimer’s father, Julius Kirchheimer, hid with his parents and siblings in their basement during the night, while Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues were smashed, burned, looted and destroyed. The next morning, he was ordered to report to the town hall where he was arrested and sent to Dachau.

Kirchheimer will discuss Kristallnacht and its legacy, read poems from her book, “How to Spot One of Us” and present a clip from her film, “AFTER: Poetry Destroys Silence.”

The event is free and the public is invited to attend to learn more about this tragic event. (Register at thebayit.org/kristallnacht)

•On Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 pm, the Riverdale Y will present “Auschwitz, A Virtual Reality Tour,” with participants witnessing the haunted grounds of Auschwitz and honoring the martyrs of the Shoah.

Rabbi Yisrael Goldwasser, an internationally acclaimed speaker about the Holocaust, will narrate the virtual reality tour of the camp. (Register at.riverdaley.org/auschwitz)

•On Sunday, Nov. 9 from 10 am to 2 pm, an annual Jewish book and Judaica sale in commemoration of Kristallnacht will take place at the Riverdale Y’s Sunday Market, in the St. Gabriel’s Playground, 3407 Netherland Ave.

Hundreds of Jewish books on diverse topics (including Torah, Talmud, Halakhic literature, philosophy and mystical literature, musar, modern Jewish literature, the Holocaust, Jewish History, holidays and more) will be available along with Jewish related items including kiddush cups, Passover and Chanukah plates and menorahs, mezuzahs and home decor.

Proceeds will help support the Holocaust Museum and Study Center at Bronx High School of Science and the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan University.

•On Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6 pm, Manhattan University will remember Herbert and Aryeh Ziering, in Room 100 of the O’Malley Library.

Herman Ziering’s recent yahrzeit, observed Oct. 30, will be noted, alongside the loss of his grandson, Aryeh Ziering, who was killed fighting Hamas terrorists while defending his country on Oct. 7, 2023.

This event will commemorate both Herman and Aryeh through the words of Debby Ziering, Herman’s daughter and Aryeh’s aunt.

The Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan University recently completed the digitization of Holocaust survivor Herman Ziering’s entire collection. Refreshments will be served. (No registration required.)