Troop 46’s Pogromnacht Remembrance in Berlin
Each November, Berlin pauses to reflect on one of the darkest chapters of its history. The Pogromnacht of November 9, 1938 marked a violent escalation of antisemitic persecution in Nazi Germany. Synagogues were burned, Jewish-owned homes and businesses were destroyed, and thousands of Jewish people were arrested, attacked, or killed. In Berlin and across Germany, the night stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and indifference.
For Troop 46 of Berlin, remembrance is a meaningful act of service, reflection, and education. Continuing a tradition of honor and responsibility, the troop held their annual Pogromnacht memorial and service event, dedicated to remembering victims of the Holocaust and reinforcing lessons of empathy and moral courage.
The event began at the Mirrored Wall Memorial in Berlin-Steglitz. This striking memorial stands in place of a synagogue that once served the local Jewish community, its absence a painful symbol of what was lost. The Mirrored Wall also commemorates the deportation of Berlin’s Jewish residents during the Holocaust, reflecting both past and present, and inviting visitors to see themselves in the story of remembrance.
Gathered here, Scouts and Scouters shared a moment of silence before beginning their walk of reflection through the community.
Visiting the Stolpersteine: Remembering Each Name
Troop 46 then visited a number of Stolpersteine, small brass memorial plaques installed in the pavement in front of the last freely chosen residences of individuals persecuted or murdered by the Nazis. Each Stolperstein represents a name, a life, and a story.
In preparation for the event, Scouts volunteered to research the history of the individuals commemorated by the Stolpersteine they visited. This research turned the experience into more than a ceremony. It became personal learning and an act of restoring dignity to names nearly erased by history.
At each location, a Scout or Scouter shared researched stories about the person or family remembered there. They respectfully cleaned and polished the plaque, lit candles, and paused to pay their respects.
By honoring those who suffered and perished, these Scouts help cultivate a culture of awareness, compassion, and responsibility. Troop 46 demonstrated that remembrance is not passive; it is an active choice to learn, to care, and to share stories that must never be forgotten. Through their service, these Scouts become stewards of history, carrying forward the voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves.
