About the Event
Kristallnacht: Testimony from Holocaust Survivor Michael Berkowicz
Date & Time: Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: Room 124A, Reich College of Education (151 College Street in Boone)
Click here to join via Zoom.
On November 7, Michael Berkowicz will speak about his experience in Europe as a child survivor of the Holocaust, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask him questions.
The week of November 7 marks the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or "The Night of Broken Glass." Kristallnacht was a turning point in the beginning of the Holocaust. In two days and nights, a program was carried out against Jews in Germany, Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia by the growing Nazi paramilitary. Over 48 hours, violent mobs spurred on by Nazi officials destroyed Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses while police and firemen watched. Approximately 7,500 structures were destroyed and 91 Jews were murdered. The Nazi government blamed the damage on the Jews and required they pay one billion reichsmarks while forcing Jews to sell their businesses for pennies on the dollar. The Germans named it Kristallnacht referring to all of the broken windows. Kristallnacht marked an important and negative shift in anti-Jewish attitudes leading to the Holocaust.
Sponsored by Appalachian State University's Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies, this event is free and open to the public. For a disability accomodation, visit odr.appstate.edu.
Questions can be directed to the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies via email at holocaust@appstate.edu.
About Michael Berkowicz
Michael Berkowicz was born in Siberia and grew up in post-war Poland. He earned a degree in physics from the City University of New York and has been deeply involved in Jewish cultural life, focusing on Polish-Jewish dialogue and history.
A former treasurer of the North American Council of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (POLIN), he is also a founding member of the Friends of the Krakow Jewish Culture Festival and has held leadership roles in various organizations dedicated to Judaic art and interfaith dialogue.