Sydney Kristallnacht anniversary highlights resurgence in antisemitism
On Sunday November 10, the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies hosted a solemn event at Moriah College to remember the infamous “Night of Broken Glass,” a violent turning point that foreshadowed the Holocaust.
Michael Gawenda
The commemoration gathered Holocaust survivors, dignitaries, community leaders, and other guests to reflect on the persistent dangers of antisemitism and honour the resilience of Jewish communities.
The highlight of the evening was an in-depth interview with Michael Gawenda, one of Australia’s most respected journalists and former editor of “The Age”. Gawenda, who recently released his memoir, “My Life as a Jew”, was interviewed by AJN senior journalist Carly Adno on the topic “Broken Glass, Shattered Communities: Reflections of a progressive Jewish journalist post-October 7”.
Reflecting on how the Kristallnacht pogrom devastated Jewish life in Europe, Gawenda acknowledged a haunting parallel in today’s world, where antisemitism is again visible and, alarmingly, escalating. “When someone wishes ill on Jews…believe them,” he urged, adding that history has shown antisemitism frequently moves from hateful words to violent actions. Recent attacks on Jews in Amsterdam on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, which he described as a “modern-day pogrom,” exemplified this dangerous shift. He stressed that chants and slogans, while sometimes dismissed as mere political expression, often signal a trajectory towards persecution and violence. “Threatening antisemitic chants are not just idle political expression; they are a forerunner of sinister events to come,” he stated.
In discussing his book, Gawenda spoke about how the left, once a haven for Jewish activists, is now a source of growing hostility towards Jews, particularly those who support Israel. The disconnect, he explained, is personal; October 7 not only strained his political beliefs but also severed ties with friends and colleagues who failed to express sympathy for Israeli victims or condemned the violence against Jews. “Jewish people have felt vulnerable and alone,” he shared, noting that the lack of support from institutions that once championed equality and diversity has been painful. This loss of solidarity, he explained, has alienated many Jews from communities they once counted on for understanding and support. Gawenda’s critique was pointed, suggesting that Australia’s media, academic, and even government institutions have failed Jewish communities in a time of need.
His critique extended to the journalism industry itself. Gawenda reflected on his career, lamenting that modern journalism has strayed from principles of fairness and objectivity. “Journalism has gone away from the basic principles that I thought it was about,” he remarked. He criticised the trend of allowing journalists to act as activists rather than impartial observers, a practice he believes has skewed reporting on Israel and Jewish issues.
“If journalists are activists…is it any wonder that most people don’t trust what journalists write or broadcast?” he asked rhetorically. This departure from objective reporting, he suggested, has led to unbalanced portrayals of Jewish communities and a growing alienation of Jewish voices in mainstream media. Reflecting on his own position, Gawenda noted he can no longer get published in “The Age”, the paper he once led, remarking, “I am published now in “The Australian”, but “The Age” would never publish a Jewish editor who openly supported the state of Israel.”
Gawenda also touched on his broader concerns for Jewish communities, especially in Europe, where he fears a bleak future. Citing the high rates of emigration and declining Jewish populations, he echoed “New York Times” columnist Bret Stephens’ advice to European Jews to “leave while you still can.” While he did not extend this caution to Australian Jews, he expressed uncertainty about the future for Jewish communities worldwide, particularly for his grandchildren’s generation. “We have to be more positive about our lives as Jews,” he added, expressing a renewed commitment to Jewish life and culture that transcends the need to respond solely to antisemitism.
The evening also included moving tributes to Holocaust survivors. Antony Colman delivered a moving tribute to his relative, 95-year-old Beate Hammett, one of a few survivors of the Kindertransport still living in Sydney. Beate lit a memorial candle in honour of her parents and all those affected by the Kristallnacht pogrom. Hammett’s story resonated deeply; her father, an architect in Berlin, was forced to watch the destruction of the synagogues he had designed.
New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip emphasised that commemorations like these serve as both remembrance and warning. “Jewish communities around the world…have gathered together to remember our murdered family members and mourn the lost worlds of Jewish life extinguished in gas chambers or killing fields,” he said. Ossip’s words reminded the audience of the importance of vigilance in the face of escalating antisemitism, echoing Gawenda’s call for zero tolerance toward hate speech and conspiracy theories that often precipitate violence.
The ceremony included with musical tributes, including a haunting piece inspired by Kristallnacht composed and performed by Elana Kats-Chernin who was accompanied on violin by Ben Adler.
Gawenda’s closing words resonated long after the event ended. He urged the Jewish community to hold fast to its identity and history, even in difficult times. “Being a Jew means more than being a victim of antisemitism,” he concluded. For many, his words were both a sobering reminder of the past and an impassioned call to strengthen Jewish identity and unity in the face of rising hatred.
