SHU Remembers Kristallnacht in 10th Annual Commemoration
Rabbi Abraham Skorka reflects upon the historic Night of Broken Glass
Sacred Heart University recently hosted its 10th annual Kristallnacht commemoration in its Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
The event opened with a prelude, Shema Koleinu (O Lord Hear Our Prayer), performed by William Finley, an adjunct professor. Immediately following, Father Anthony Ciorra introduced the event. “What we are doing here today has an element of sadness to it. Today is about human nature at its worst,” Ciorra said. “That kind of violence is still in our society today, so our work isn’t finished yet. That is what makes the element sad.”
University President John Petillo welcomed the audience to SHU’s 10th annual commemoration of Kristallnacht, which translates to “Night of Broken Glass.” It relates to Nov. 9, 1938, when the Nazi army smashed the windows of Jewish-owned stores, homes, synagogues and schools. Ninety-one Jewish people were killed and thousands were arrested and sent to concentration camps. This officially marked the beginning of the Holocaust.
Alejandro Ramos ’23 then addressed the gathering, followed by two University chaplains: Imam Gazmend Aga and Rabbi Josh Ratner. The University choir sang I believe, composed by Mark Miller. The lyrics included “I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining. I believe in love, even when I can’t feel it. I believe in God, even when I can’t hear him.”
“If we come together and restore hope, if we are united in love peace and universal values, even if evil happens, we should all together speak and stand against it,” Aga said.
Language and literature faculty member Cara Killgallen read Shema by Primo Levi, and Christopher Kelly, philosophy chair, introduced Rabbi Abraham Skorka of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to being a rabbi, Skorka is a biophysicist and a book author. Originally from Buenos Aires, he participated in a series of discussions about religious and social issues with Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who went on to become Pope Francis.
Skorka reflected on the tragedies and horrors that took place during the Holocaust and World War II. He discussed the acts of hatred, their origins and meanings. “The smoke of the extermination camps has disappeared, but the shadows of the chimneys of horror continue to fall on all of humanity,” Skorka said.
Students Kristen Janes ’22 and Leela Gallucci ’20 ’22 lit a memorial candle and Sheryl Madison, assistant to the athletic director, read Silence by Elie Wiesel. The event concluded with a moment of silence and a memorial prayer read by Ratner and Jody Bortone, associate dean of faculty affairs and new initiatives. Janes presented the final remarks.