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These we have Forgotten
For Jews the month of November seems indelibly marked by the long
night of 8th/9th November 1938: Kristalnacht - 'the night of broken glass'- when
the Nazis unleashed the first acts of violence against the Jews of Germany. More
recently, November 9th has taken on another meaning as the day when the Berlin
Wall came down in 1989, and the people of Germany were reunited after more than
four decades of geographical, political and economic separation. Meanwhile, for
the world as a whole - and, in particular, for Europe - another November date
remains deeply significant: Armistice Day, which commemorates the moment in 1918
when, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, the First World finally came to
an end.
Not surprisingly, even though both Kristalnacht and Armistice
Day took place many years ago now - sixty-five and eighty-five years ago
respectively - these dates remain very important both for those who actually
witnessed the events in question, and also for those who did not. How long will
it take before they are forgotten? I ask this question because the month of
November is actually marked by a number of very important dates in Jewish
history, which most of us are completely unaware of. Space doesn't permit me to
mention all of them, but here are ten largely forgotten Jewish November moments:
· 1st - 1290 - The expulsion of the Jews of England on the Feast of All Souls
· 2nd - 1917 - The Balfour Declaration
· 3rd - 1394 - The expulsion of the Jews of France
· 4th - 1571 - The installation of the Inquisition in Mexico
· 9th - 1526 - The beginning of the expulsion of the Jews of Hungary
· 13th - 1757 - The burning of the Talmud in Podolia, Poland
· 15th - 1380 - Riots against the Jews of Paris
· 19th - 1887 - The death of Emma Lazarus, distinguished Jewish American poet
· 20th - 1657 - The death of Menasseh ben Israel in Middleburg, Holland, who
led the return of the Jews to England
· 23rd - 1510 - The expulsion of the Jews of Naples
Of this list, perhaps many of us do recall the Balfour Declaration - but that
was just eighty-six years ago, and remains relevant to us today. If relevance is
the criterion, perhaps we - the Jews of England - should also commemorate the
1st and the 20th November? It's just a thought.
© Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah
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