Yad Vashem USA Foundation Hosted “Spread the Light” Kristallnacht Memorial in New York City on November 9

Commemorating the Past, Illuminating the Future in a Shattered World

The Yad Vashem USA Foundation hosted its annual Kristallnacht memorial event, “Spread the Light: Commemorating Kristallnacht in a Shattered World,” on Sunday, November 9 on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The program brought together leaders, influencers, and community members for an afternoon of reflection, Holocaust remembrance, and renewed commitment to combating antisemitism and hate.

The event featured Dani Dayan, Chairman of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bret Stephens and CNN Senior Global Affairs Analyst Bianna Golodryga, who hosted the program. Special remarks were delivered by Ofir Akunis, Israel’s Consul General in New York.

This year’s commemoration held special significance following Yad Vashem’s recent announcement that it has now documented the names of over 5 million of the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust—a historic milestone in this seven-decade mission to preserve every individual story.

“Kristallnacht was not only a night of shattered glass—it was a night that shattered humanity’s conscience. Our duty today is to ensure that the world never again stands silent in the face of hatred. As we mark the milestone of identifying five million of the six million names of victims murdered in the Shoah, we affirm that memory must become our shield, and moral courage our light,” said Dani Dayan, Chairman of Yad Vashem.

“The act of remembrance is not only about the past—it is our responsibility to bring light into a world that still struggles with darkness,” said Tamar Major, Head of the Yad Vashem USA Foundation. “This milestone reminds us that behind every number is a name, a life, and a legacy that must never be forgotten.”

The program’s theme, “Spread the Light,” reflected Yad Vashem’s enduring call to educate and inspire future generations to stand against intolerance and indifference. The evening honored the memory of Kristallnacht—the “Night of Broken Glass”—and reaffirmed the community’s shared commitment to remembrance, resilience, and renewal.

About Yad Vashem USA Foundation

The Yad Vashem USA Foundation supports the work of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. Dedicated to Holocaust education, commemoration, and research, the Foundation ensures that the memory of the six million victims—and the lessons of their lives—continue to guide and inspire future generations.

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Yad Vashem USA Foundation Hosted “Spread the Light” Kristallnacht Memorial in New York City on November 9 Commemorating the Past, Illuminating the Future in a Shattered World