The Night of Broken Glass: A Holocaust Tale

In the years around the beginning of World War II, Jews began to be discriminated at high levels. And when the days grew shorter, November 1 would bring such a chaos to innocent people that during this time period were believed by Hitler and his followers were not human, but alien. Tense air led one family to shut their curtains, turn out the lights, and blow out candles to hide from a waiting monster ready to raid and engulf its victims. Many people crowded around this blank house; heavy growls bellowed against thumping of doors. It stopped. One of the neighbors had pulled out of their house, a scowl draped their lower face, "What are you doing? People are trying to sleep." Pushing out to the front, a ruffian snorted, "These people are Jews. So impure."

"They are not home," the neighbor responded coolly and turned off to their home. With that, the crowd left to another Jewish home, hurling rocks through windows. Five, in fact, slammed the door to the floor and charged in, fists ablaze. Pleading and wails traveled across the room, "Please! Stop!" Nothing worked. Several men swept over, clutching the Jews, and hauled them away like sacks of bread. 

Many hours passed; watery light gleamed down on the rubble-clad streets. Dove gray was chased by lavender then pastel yellow as the sun glittered like warm dew. It seemed almost impossible to imagine the night's disaster. Homes lay deserted, glass blanketed around buildings like a clear snow, furniture tumbled out of the cracked doors. In truth, families with Jews and non-Jews together were broken up. Conservation camps would be refreshed with more "aliens." This aftermath would be one that no one, not even the younger    children, could forget. 

-By Brenna H.