Remembering the 85th anniversary of the 9 November pogromNever Again is Now—Universität Hamburg Rejects All Forms of Anti-Semitism

9 November 2023, by Newsroom editorial office

Photo: Universität Hamburg / Denstorf

Universität Hamburg stands for peace, freedom, democracy, and human decency and condemns exclusion, hate, violence, and war.

Today, Universität Hamburg is commemorating the Jewish victims of the progrom on 9 November 1938. Injustice, violent destruction, the revocation of citizenship and the denial of human dignity—all of this happened in Germany and in Hamburg. Eighty-five years ago, the National Socialists set the main synagogue in Hamburg’s Grindel neighborhood, right next to our University, on fire. There were further assaults on Jewish synagogues, the Jewish cemetery, Jewish businesses, apartments, and above all, people—Jewish citizens.

Every year, 9 November recalls Germany’s darkest chapter. It heeds us to be vigilant and show civil courage; it heeds us to stand up to every kind of hate, persecution, and assaults on freedom and democracy any and everywhere. “Never again” is today, “never again” is now.

There is no place for anti-Semitism at Universität Hamburg

Universität Hamburg condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and actively advocates to protect Jewish life and culture, all the more so for being centrally located in the Grindel neighborhood and the University’s own activities under the National Socialists.

There is no place for anti-Semitism at Universität Hamburg: Universität Hamburg’s Executive University Board, especially since the horrific attacks by the Hamas on 7 October 2023, is especially focused on ensuring that Jewish students and staff at the University feel safe and we consult closely with the faculties. 

As a university, we are a place of exchange, discourse, and social interaction and therefore do not tolerate violence of any kind—verbal, physical—or discrimination due to race, ethnicity, sex or gender, religion, disability, or age.

If students or staff at the University want to file a complaint or need support related to these matters, there are various offices offering advice and services. The University is currently consolidating existing infrastructure and further developing processes. We are planning to set up a central anti-discrimination office responsible for anti-Semitic incidents.

The staff of property data management have been sensitized and instructed to notify the University about and to remove any impermissible hand-outs or graffiti. The University will respond swiftly and decidedly. 

Against the backdrop of its expertise in research and teaching, Universität Hamburg is actively raising awareness in various places about anti-Semitism. There are regular events and training related directly or indirectly to anti-Semitism and fighting it.