On the night of November 9, 1938, Nazi violence erupted across Germany and Austria. Synagogues burned. Jewish businesses and homes were destroyed. Thousands of men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. This was Kristallnacht — the Night of Broken Glass — and it marked the beginning of the Holocaust.

In this powerful short film, Holocaust survivors Eddie Jaku, Ruth Rack, and Herbert Freeman share their personal memories of Kristallnacht. Each account offers a deeply human perspective on how it felt to witness their communities collapse under fear, hatred, and state-sponsored violence.

Their testimonies serve not only as eyewitness records of this turning point in history, but also as urgent reminders of the dangers of antisemitism, silence, and indifference—a vital resource for Holocaust education and remembrance.

Produced for the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Holocaust Remembrance event by AD Media.
Directed and produced by Sarita Gold.
Director of Photography and Editor: Agostino Marcello.