Light Up The Church

March 2025: Kristallnacht News Update

Thank you again for signing the Kristallnacht declaration. Every month we send a few stories about Kristallnacht and the Holocaust that made the news in the previous month. Towards November 2025 we will share information about Light Up The Church 2024.

Below is the update from the stories of March 2025.

  • Oldest Holocaust survivor dies at 113

    Rose Girone, believed to be the world’s oldest Holocaust survivor at 113, passed away in New York, having escaped Nazi persecution as an eight-month‑pregnant refugee who fled Germany for Shanghai and later settled in Queens, where she ran beloved knitting shops. She credited her resilience—and remarkable longevity—to living a purposeful life, strong family ties, and, she humorously noted, plenty of dark chocolate

  • Holocaust survivors share stories with students

    Holocaust survivors shared their stories Tuesday at the John Carroll School to preserve history. Each year, the school hosts a Holocaust Remembrance Day as an opportunity for the school community to honor Holocaust victims, hear from survivors and gain an understanding of the continued impact on their families. This year's gathering comes at a time when anti-Semitism remains high, and Jewish leaders want to ensure future generations understand what happened and the circumstances behind the Holocaust.

  • 95-year-old Holocaust survivor, wife get surprise anniversary party

    Fred Zeilberger, a 95-year-old Holocaust survivor who endured five concentration camps, and his wife Elaine, age 89, were celebrated with a surprise party by family and caregivers on Long Island to honor their 69th wedding anniversary. Their joyful celebration—filled with dancing and affectionate moments—highlights a remarkable life of survival, enduring love, and the power of resilience.

  • Righteous Rescuers to be Honored at European Day of Remembrance Event

    The Claims Conference will mark the European Day of Remembrance for the Righteous by releasing Stronger Than Fear, a collection profiling non‑Jewish heroes from nine countries who risked everything to save over 220 Jews, and hosting an event in Limoges, France, where survivors are reunited with their rescuers’ descendants. This gathering underscores the essential role of moral courage in Holocaust education and preserves personal stories of empathy and bravery for future generations.

  • One of the Last Living Holocaust Survivors in Northern California Dies at 100

    Nick Hope, among the final Holocaust survivors in Northern California, passed away at age 100 in Calistoga, where he and his wife Nadja—also a survivor—had built a life and family after WWII en.wikipedia.org +13 cbsnews.com +13 instagram.com +13 . His incredible journey included enduring forced labor, surviving Dachau, and dedicating his life to building both homes and hope, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and forgiveness shared by his children.

  • Uncovering New Information About the Holocaust

    Historian Hermann Beck’s research has revealed previously undocumented acts of violence during the early months of Nazi rule, shedding light on lesser-known atrocities. His work emphasizes the importance of uncovering hidden evidence to deepen our understanding of Holocaust history.

  • As Children, They Fled the Nazis Alone. Newly Found Papers Tell Their Story.

    The New York Times highlights newly discovered records from Yad Vashem detailing nearly 10,000 Jewish children evacuated via the Kindertransport from December 1938 to September 1939, providing names, chaperone lists, and fresh insight into their journeys. Researcher Amy Williams' findings significantly deepen our understanding of this historic rescue mission and the individual stories of those children

  • How The World Will Tremble Captured A Semi‑Obscure, Yet Crucial Piece Of Holocaust History

    Josh Weiss details the making of The World Will Tremble, a 2025 historical drama that brings to light the escape from Chełmno—the Nazis’ first extermination camp—a narrative previously overlooked yet vital to Holocaust history. By blending rigorous research with cinematic storytelling, director Lior Geller’s film ensures this essential testimony reaches wider audiences, preserving a critical chapter of genocide awareness

  • Tiny Slivers of Freedom: Watching the First Jews to Escape the Holocaust

    David Suissa reflects on The World Will Tremble, a film uncovering the daring escape of two Jews from the Chelmno extermination camp—marking the first known Jewish breakout. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing even the smallest acts of freedom amid unimaginable horror, noting how the escapees risked their lives not only to survive, but to alert the world to the unfolding genocide.

  • Irena’s Vow: The Extraordinary Tale of a Real‑Life Holocaust Rescuer

    This film follows Polish nurse Irena Gut Opdyke’s courageous mission to save a dozen Jews by hiding them in the basement of a Nazi officer’s house, showcasing her wit and bravery amid constant danger. While the true story is powerful and uplifting, critics note that the movie’s tone can feel overly polite, failing to fully convey the horrors of the time or deeply explore its emotional complexity .

  • Irena’s Vow featuring Sophie Nélisse as Olga/Irena, scenes from the villa, and the film’s promotional poster.

    The film chronicles teenage Polish nurse Irena Gut Opdyke sheltering 12 Jews in a Nazi officer’s villa, showcasing her courage and resourcefulness, though critics say its restraint and focus on the Nazi officer soften the depiction of true horror. While praised for its powerful central performance by Sophie Nélisse, reviewers argue the film plays it emotionally safe, failing to explore the deep psychological trauma experienced by both rescuer and rescued.

  • Governor DeSantis Unveils Holocaust Memorial in Tallahassee

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis presided over the dedication of a new Holocaust memorial in Tallahassee, emphasizing the monument's role in educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance. The ceremony featured heartfelt speeches from survivors and community leaders, highlighting the importance of preserving memory as antisemitism continues to rise.

  • Roanoke-Area Holocaust Survivors Share Stories of Hiding, Hope in Documentary

    Three Holocaust survivors from the Roanoke area recount childhood trauma endured in Nazi-occupied Europe and celebrate their resilience in the upcoming documentary Triumph of Hope, which sold out its first local screening. The film highlights not only their survival through hiding networks but also how their postwar contributions in healthcare, philanthropy, and education serve as enduring testaments to hope and the necessity of remembrance uwvbr.org.

  • Holocaust survivor receives Anne Frank award

    Child Holocaust survivor Dr. Irene Butter, who endured deportation to Westerbork and Bergen-Belsen and later rebuilt her life in the United States, was honored with the 2025 Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance for her decades-long advocacy against antisemitism. Presented during the Dutch Embassy’s Tulip Days in Washington, D.C., the award celebrates her contribution to Holocaust education and her testimony that connects directly back to Anne Frank herself.