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(Washington, D.C., Nov. 11, 2021)—B’nai B’rith Latin America is commemorating the anniversary of the Nazi Pogrom of November 1938, also known as Kristallnacht/Pogromnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, during the month of November. Some ceremonies were held virtually. B’nai B’rith events in Panama and Uruguay were in person. 

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela all held this week, or will hold next week, commemoration events.   

On Nov. 9, B’nai B’rith Uruguay held an in-person event with 250 authorized attendees. The event was simultaneously live streamed and broadcast across all TV stations in Uruguay. President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle, Vice President Beatriz Argimon, the chief of staff, ministers, vice ministers, ambassadors, congressmen, former presidents, president of the Supreme Court of Justice and leaders from all political parties attended. Eduardo Kohn, B’nai B’rith International director of Latin American affairs, was the keynote speaker.  

In his speech, Kohn said, “It hurts us as human beings that today’s terrorists who have similar thoughts to the monsters who perpetrated the Shoah 80 years ago can find haven and support not only in some democracies, but day after day in international agencies that were created to foster peace all over the word and not to blow the planet off with injustice and wrong choices.”  

B’nai B’rith Argentina held a virtual event on Nov. 8, joining the Christian Jewish Confraternity and the Buenos Aires Shoah Museum.  

B’nai B’rith Chile and the Chile Jewish community also held a commemoration at the Hebrew College in Santiago.  

B’nai B’rith Venezuela will hold a commemoration event on Nov. 14 and B’nai B’rith Panama on Nov. 16.  
 

During the Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 pogroms in 1938, nearly 100 Jews were killed and more than 1,000 synagogues were set on fire. Nearly 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses were destroyed and countless homes and community centers were looted. B’nai B’rith Latin America is committed to remembering Kristallnacht/Pogromnacht, noting that such a critically important event in Jewish history cannot go unnoticed. 

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit bnaibrith.org.