Karina Rodriguez
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne and the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys co-hosted the 14th annual Kristallnacht Remembrance Lecture on Sunday in the Morgan Auditorium before an audience of roughly 60 community members.
Kristallnacht, also known as the night of broken glass, in 1938 was a violent riot against Jews carried out by the Nazi Party‘s paramilitary forces. Some from the Hitler Youth and German civilians also participated as German authorities looked on without intervening. The event was named for the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the windows of synagogues and Jewish-owned stores were smashed.
The lecture was part of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys’ Jewish book festival.
The lecture featured author and award-winning journalist, Arthur J. Magida, who discussed his book: “Two Wheels to Freedom: The Story of a Young Jew, Wartime Resistance, and a Daring Escape.”
The book featured a 20-year-old hero, Samson “Cioma” Schönhaus, who was a graphic designer and writer. Schönhaus was a Jewish man, a “U-boat.”
“U-boat” was the name that Jewish people gave to other Jewish people hiding in plain sight in the capital of the Nazi totalitarian dictatorship.
“Jews who were hiding were supposed to stay hidden,” Magida said. “That was their job. Cioma broke every role.”
Schönhaus would also frequent places that were Hitler’s favorites.
“He also went to one of the finest restaurants in Berlin for lunch and dinner. This was in the Hotel Esplanade, which was one of Hitler’s favorite hotels in the city,” Magida said.
Schönhaus was spared from being sent to a concentration camp due to his forced labor at an arms and uniform factory. Others found out that they would not be exempt from the concentration camps so, they committed suicide. His parents were not able to escape death.
“They brought the trains in June 1942, never to be seen again,” Magida said.
Schönhaus saw this as a purpose to live. Schönhaus’ time in art school helped him forge believable identifications.
Magida also spoke about how Schönhaus forged many documents to help Jewish people escape during World War II.
“Cioma made that commitment, saving someone’s life was a bitter responsibility,” Magida said.
Magida also spoke about how Schönhaus escaped Nazi Germany to Switzerland on a bike he bought on the black market.
Schönhaus escaped Nazi Germany on his bicycle to Switzerland and remained in Switzerland until his death in 2015, at age 92.
Rebecca Russell, program and community outreach director at the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, said that hosting events, such as this lecture, helps the Jewish community during times of turmoil.
“I am in a position to be able to make Jews feel seen, feel safer, because it’s a lot of what our Jewish federation does,” Russell said.
Russell said that Jewish media helps the Jewish community during these times.
“I know that they’re not alone in this really scary time, and remind them that there’s reason to celebrate. Like, we have amazing things such as Jewish literature and Jewish authors and films,” Russell said.
Zandra Wagoner, University of La Verne chaplain, said that this lecture helps remind people of the horrors of yesterday so that they are not repeated tomorrow.
“It’s a way to honor it, to recognize it, to make sure it is not forgotten in human history because if we’re paying attention, we will work hard to not repeat it,” Wagoner said.
“This event is definitely a reflection of our commitment to the community,” Wagoner said. “It pulls in the wider community to say ‘We care, your story matters,’” Wagoner said.
A book signing and reception followed the lecture.
Karina Rodriguez can be reached at karina.rodriguez3@laverne.edu.
Karina Rodriguez is a senior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and editor-in-chief of the Campus Times. She has previously served as sports editor, social media editor, arts editor and a staff writer.
Camille C.Nan is a senior photography major and art history minor who specializes in portraiture. She is a staff photographer for Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
