Let there be light
On November 9, 2020, March of the Living will mark Kristallnacht with a message of unity and hope, through a unique international campaign. Titled “Let There Be Light”, March of the Living will invite individuals, institutions and Houses of Worship across the world to keep their lights on during the night of November 9th, as a symbol of solidarity and mutual commitment in the shared battle against antisemitism, racism, hatred and intolerance.
As part of this historic virtual initiative, people from all over the world will be able to add their voice to the campaign. Individuals of all religions and backgrounds are invited to write personal messages of hope in their own words at the campaign website: http://www.motl.org/let-there-be-light
The main synagogue in Frankfurt (one of the few not destroyed on Kristallnacht) will be illuminated as well as and at other places of religious and spiritual significance across the world. Personal messages and prayers from the virtual campaign will be projected on the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. As such, against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and racism, the shadow of Covid-19, these individual expressions of optimism and unity will help illuminate the world against darkness and hatred.
President of The March of the living Australia Cedric Geffen told J-Wire: “March of the Living Australia strongly supports this global initiative to commemorate Kristallnacht as a unifying non-partisan call out to people of all faiths, cultures, religions, countries and backgrounds to stand up and condemn racism of any kind. To stand up against discrimination and supremacist behaviour, to not stand by whilst others suffer, to not be indifferent to bigotry and intolerance. Let us all unite under the slogan and commandment of ‘ Love thy neighbour as thy self’ and join us as we like light a candle of hope for a better world for us all.
For details on how to be part of this initiative please contact:
Cedric Geffen, President – March of the Living Australia, cedric@motl.com.au
or Matan Franco, Administrator – March of the Living Australia, admin@motl.com.au
In a joint statement, March of the Living President, Phyllis Greenberg Heideman & March of the Living World Chair, Dr. Shmuel Rosenman said: “We must use our voices to tell the world that attacks on Jews and non-Jews alike, whether on the basis of religion, race, colour or creed are inexcusable. In the days when synagogues and holy places for various religions are attacked on a regular basis all over the world, it is our duty to speak out loudly and clearly.”
Head of the Jewish Community Frankfurt am Main, Prof. Dr Salomon Korn added: “Anti-Semitism and racism threaten our society as a whole, they endanger our values and our democracy. Together we want to send a signal against the increase of antisemitism and hate-speech all over the world. We want to raise awareness against growing discrimination and intolerance and bring the light of humanity in these difficult times”.
