On November 9 1938, less than a year before the Second World War broke out, the Nazis doubled down on their persecution of the Jews with the events of Kristnallnacht.
Kristallnacht, translated as the Night of the Broken Glass, saw Jewish shops, businesses and other organisations become targets, as the Nazis smashed windows, burned synagogues and rounded up Jews to be sent to concentration camps.
Thea Valman was a five-year-old girl living in Vienna at the time, months after the Anschluss union which saw Austria become unified with Nazi Germany.
She shared her memories of the night: “At midnight I was woken by the sound of shouting, screaming and banging on doors all over our block. Through the window, which faced the street, I could also hear the smashing of glass. Totally bewildered I ran out of bed to find my white-faced parents standing in our hall. Unusually, they ignored me.
“Then there was a loud banging on our door, which my parents ignored. Why did they do that I wondered? Three men in uniform came in, took my father by the arms and walked him away. Why did he go with them, I wondered, and where did they go?”
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The Nazis took Ms Valman’s father away and she did not see him for several days, however it later emerged he had managed to escape from the Nazis and therefore avoided being sent away to a camp.
He took shelter in their basement, where their kind caretaker risked persecution himself by helping to hide him. He provided him with food before he finally returned home, looking like a “tramp” with blood all over his face, according to his daughter.
The family then began trying to leave Austria and were ultimately successful, arriving in London in February 1939, where Ms Valman still lives to this day.
Not all of their extended family were so lucky however, and were tragically murdered by the Nazis.
“Our world desperately needs outstanding examples of chesed – loving kindness – and this is exactly what Our Majesty the King is.”
Michael Newman, CEO The Association of Jewish Refugees, said: “As the national organisation representing and supporting Holocaust refugees and survivors, and the largest benefactor of Holocaust education projects in the UK – The AJR is highly sensitised to acts of terror against Jews.
“Today, 85 years on from the horrific events of Kristallnacht, survivors of the Holocaust are witnessing, once again, terrifying atrocities and the uprise in antisemitic acts. That is why it is so important, that we pause to remember anniversaries such as Kristallnacht, to educate people where antisemitism unchallenged can lead.”
The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) is the leading national charity exclusively delivering social, welfare and volunteer services to Holocaust refugees and survivors, and one of the largest benefactors of Holocaust commemoration and educational programmes and projects. To find out more and become a member visit ajr.org.uk.
