Susi Hilsenrath and the Night of Broken Glass

By Chance Forney

Susi Hilsenrath was born May 27th, 1929 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. When she was 10 years old, on November 9-10, her city and many others were attacked during “Kristallnacht”

Susi Hilsenrath was born May 27th, 1929 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. When she was 10 years old, on November 9-10, her city and many others were attacked during “Kristallnacht”

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What is Kristallnacht?What is Kristallnacht?

Beginning on November 9, 1938, the “Night of Crystal” is the wide-spread anti-Jewish riots in Germany. The name refers to the broken glass from homes, synagogues, and Jewish businesses.

Beginning on November 9, 1938, the “Night of Crystal” is the wide-spread anti-Jewish riots in Germany. The name refers to the broken glass from homes, synagogues, and Jewish businesses.

Why did Kristallnacht Happen?

Why did Kristallnacht Happen?

Ernst vom Rath, a German embassy official stationed in Paris, was killed on November 7, 1938. The killer was Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year-old Polish Jew. The German officials claimed that Kristallnacht was a public response to this assassination.

Ernst vom Rath, a German embassy official stationed in Paris, was killed on November 7, 1938. The killer was Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year-old Polish Jew. The German officials claimed that Kristallnacht was a public response to this assassination.

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Above: Herschel Gynszpan

What the Nazis Really Did

• Minister Joseph Goebbels basically started the Kristallnacht by saying: "the Führer has decided that … demonstrations should not be prepared or organized by the Party, but insofar as they erupt spontaneously, they are not to be hampered."

• Storm Troopers and Hitler Youth dressed as citizens to support their lie that Kristallnacht was caused by public outrage.

What did Kristallnacht Lead to?

Kristallnacht proved to the Nazi’s that the public was prepared for more radical measures taken against Jews.

In the weeks after Kristallnacht, dozens of laws stripped Jews of their property and other means of livelihood

The Nazis in Germany really began to force Jews out of Germany completely.

Susi Hilsenrath In France

To escape Germany, Susi Hilsenrath and her brother were smuggled to France. When the Germans invaded France in May 1904, they were evacuated to from their Parisian children’s home to King Louis XIV’s palace.

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Susi Hilsenrath In America

Susi Hilsenrath In America

» Susi and her brother, Joseph, got help from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. They went across the Pyrenees into Spain. And then they sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, and in September 1941, they arrived in New York. They were reunited with their parents and younger brother. They settled down in Washington, D.C.

My ReactionMy Reaction

Well, her story isn’t very exciting, but her story is one of the luckiest ones I’ve heard. All of her family survived and they lived in America! I just hope that she understands how lucky she is. For Kristallnacht, I was frustrated by the fact that they could organize this and just hide it like they didn’t do anything, like little kids!

Well, her story isn’t very exciting, but her story is one of the luckiest ones I’ve heard. All of her family survived and they lived in America! I just hope that she understands how lucky she is. For Kristallnacht, I was frustrated by the fact that they could organize this and just hide it like they didn’t do anything, like little kids!