On the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a kosher restaurant in Washington, D.C. became the target of a chilling act of vandalism, echoing the horrors of the past and raising alarm about the persistence of anti-Semitism in modern America.
At a Glance
- Char Bar, D.C.’s only kosher restaurant, had two windows smashed on Kristallnacht anniversary
- The incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime
- Global surge in antisemitic incidents reported since October 7, 2023
- Community rallies to support Char Bar, highlighting resilience against hatred
- Incident underscores need for vigilance against modern anti-Semitism
A Disturbing Echo of History
On November 9th, as the world marked the somber anniversary of Kristallnacht, Char Bar, the only kosher restaurant in Washington, D.C., fell victim to an act of vandalism that sent shockwaves through the Jewish community. Two windows of the establishment were shattered, drawing an unsettling parallel to the “Night of Broken Glass” that heralded the horrors of the Holocaust 86 years ago.
Michael Chelst, the owner of Char Bar, expressed his frustration and concern over the timing of the incident.
“Just the idiocy of people — that was my first reaction,” Chelst stated. “Like, really? You don’t have anything better to do with your lives than to waste energy and time and people’s money to do what? We’re just a restaurant here.”
Char Bar, a kosher restaurant in D.C., was vandalized by having two of its windows smashed on Saturday, police say. The vandalism happened on the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht. https://t.co/DVMwjn8lcz
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) November 10, 2024
A Pattern of Hate
This act of vandalism is not an isolated incident. The Anti-Defamation League reported approximately 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the US over the past year, the highest since records began in 1979. This surge in hate crimes against the Jewish community has been particularly pronounced since October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
“That’s a disappointing thing to hear because it’s pretty clear that it’s a hate crime,” Chelst said. “There’s seven other places with glass on this street and they didn’t hit any of those.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has demanded a full investigation into the incident, calling it “deeply disturbing.” The Federation’s JShield security division is in contact with local law enforcement, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for swift action.
Community Response and Resilience
In the face of this deplorable act, the Washington community has rallied around Char Bar. Customers continued to support the restaurant, and an online fundraiser was launched for repairs. This show of solidarity demonstrates the strength and resilience of a community determined to stand against hate.
“Whatever type of hate is out there, we all need to do our part to try and help not let that happen and be supportive of it, and in the meantime, we’re going to go on and we’re going to live our lives and not let people like this change our mission, which is to support our community,” Chelst said.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington has announced plans to organize ways for the community to show support for Char Bar, further illustrating the united front against antisemitism.
A Call to Action
This incident serves as a stark reminder that the battle against antisemitism is far from over. It highlights the need for continued education, awareness, and unity in the face of hatred. As we remember the horrors of Kristallnacht, we must also recognize that the fight against prejudice and hate is an ongoing struggle that requires vigilance and action from all members of society.
The vandalism of Char Bar on the anniversary of Kristallnacht is not just an attack on a single restaurant; it’s an assault on the values of tolerance and diversity that form the bedrock of our society. It’s a call to action for all Americans to stand united against hate in all its forms, to protect our communities, and to ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten.
