Students clean stumbling blocks: commemoration of the Kristallnacht pogrom in Güstrow

Students clean stumbling blocks: commemoration of the Kristallnacht pogrom in Güstrow

On November 4, 2025, the events of Kristallnacht will be remembered in Güstrow. November 9th marks the anniversary of this dark part of history, which greatly affected not only the Jewish community in Germany, but also in Güstrow. On the night of November 9th to 10th, 1938, National Socialists in Germany set fire to synagogues, looted Jewish shops and committed violence against Jewish people. These excesses of violence led to a further escalation of the Nazi regime's anti-Semitic policies, which ultimately led to the genocide of European Jews. On the occasion of this day of remembrance, the “Jewish Remembrance” initiative is organizing a variety of events in Güstrow to keep the history of Jewish life in the region alive.

For many students at the Free School in Güstrow, today is more than just a memorial event. They picked up a brush and cleaned the stumbling blocks, which are reminiscent of the city's former Jewish residents. This happens as part of a tradition that has existed for several years and is always celebrated in November and May. “Remembrance is so important,” emphasizes Peggy Tetzlaff, history teacher and founder of the initiative. The stumbling blocks, spread across several streets such as Domstrasse and Hansenstrasse, commemorate 66 Güstrow Jews, whose fates often ended tragically. Many of them died in Auschwitz, and the students decided to document their lives and stories. These are available in the “Stumbling with Heart” brochure and online.

A special devotion to commemorate

On November 9th at 4 p.m. there will be a prayer service in the parish church of St. Mary's to which everyone is invited. This service commemorates the Kristallnacht pogrom and is followed by a walk to the former synagogue in Güstrow. It is a powerful symbol of community and remembrance of the victims.

The destruction of the Jewish synagogue in Güstrow on November 9, 1938 by arson is a clear sign of the brutal attacks on Jewish life. The former pastor Folker Hachtmann was the initiator of the laying of the stumbling blocks in the late 1980s in order to keep the memory alive. It is touching to know that students who have already taken part in a school trip to Auschwitz are now emotionally committed to helping clean the stumbling blocks.

Canceled events and legislative initiatives

A planned lecture on "Open wounds, unfinished business. Literary thoughts of revenge after the Shoah" on November 13th had to be canceled due to health reasons. Nevertheless, the topic of memory and coming to terms with it remains a central point in the social discussion.

Overall, this action by the students in Güstrow shows how important it is to remember the past. It is not just a look back, but also a step into an enlightened future that gives the victims of Kristallnacht and all other persecuted people the honor they deserve. Northern Courier reports that these memories invite the promotion of tolerance and action against anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination.