Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass,” was a massacre that occurred Nov. 9-10, 1938. It was the first organized, government-sanctioned act of violence against German Jews. It marked the start of the systematic annihilation of millions of Jews during the Holocaust. Its commemoration falls two weeks and four years after the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh.
Reading history is critical to provide a lens on current issues, and reading statements made by gubernatorial candidate Sen. Doug Mastriano provides a lens on his dangerous actions. Mastriano aligned with social media site Gab, known for its virulently antisemitic content, the same site used by the Tree of Life shooter.
He introduced a bill for school employees to carry guns instead of supporting gun safety measures. Rather than support public education, he said he would reduce school spending. Instead, he favors prayer and the reading of the Ten Commandments in our schools.
On Nov. 8, on the eve of Kristallnacht, vote with a lens of caring for one another; vote Josh Shapiro for governor.
Michelle Lubetsky
Squirrel Hill