Next week, the world will commemorate the 86th anniversary of the November Pogrom, commonly known as “Kristallnacht.” In light of this event, “Spread the Light” an initiative of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and the Religious Kibbutz Movement calls upon Jewish communities across the globe to unite in a powerful act of remembrance and solidarity. In the face of rising antisemitism worldwide, synagogues, community centers, schools and other public cultural spaces are urged to join the “Spread the Light” initiative, and keep their lights on throughout the night of 10 November to commemorate the November Pogrom of 1938.

On the nights of 9-10 November 1938, the Nazis unleashed a brutal wave of destruction upon Jewish communities in Germany and Austria. Synagogues were set ablaze, Torah scrolls and sacred books were destroyed, and Jewish homes, businesses, and cultural institutions were violently ransacked. Thousands of Jews were rounded up, arrested, and imprisoned in concentration camps. The Pogrom sent a devastating message to German and Austrian Jewry that they had no future in their homes and communities, and it marked a terrifying step toward the Nazi regime’s ultimate goal: the annihilation of the Jewish people and the erasure of Jewish culture and heritage.

The “Spread the Light” initiative seeks to symbolically declare that the Jewish spirit was not, and never will be, extinguished. Whether in synagogues, schools, cultural establishments, or communal spaces, this simple act will send a powerful message: the Jewish people are still here, and our light continues to shine brightly.

This initiative, however, goes beyond symbolic lighting. Organizers encourage communities to pair this action with an educational event or gathering. Schools and synagogues are invited to hold discussions, host survivor testimonies, or engage in study sessions focused on Jewish solidarity and resilience during the Holocaust. This is not merely an act of commemoration but a vital opportunity to connect future generations to their past and educate tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of Jewish culture, heritage, and historical awareness. “Spread the Light” also fosters global solidarity, uniting Jewish communities in a shared expression of collective memory. Participating centers and organizations are asked to upload photos from these events and share them on social media hashtag, #SpreadTheLight.