(Courtesy of Claims Conference) The Conference on Jewish Material Claims (Claims Conference) has announced the development of a new virtual reality experience that will tell the story of Kristallnacht through the lens of Holocaust survivor Dr. Charlotte Knobloch. This immersive experience from the Claims Conference, announced on the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, is being done in partnership with the USC Shoah Foundation, Meta, UNESCO and World Jewish Congress (WJC).
The USC Shoah Foundation and XR company, makemepulse, were commissioned to create this first-of-its-kind experience. The mixed reality project will feature Knobloch as she shares her memories of the moments before, during and after this pivotal event in history when 30,000 Jews were rounded up and sent to concentration camps—the first mass arrest of Jews based solely on their religion.
Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference said, “Kristallnacht was a critical moment in which antisemitic Nazi propaganda and antisemitism turned from words of hate into physical violence against Jews. This Kristallnacht VR project combines cutting-edge technology with much-needed Holocaust education.”
Knobloch said, “It is imperative at this moment in history that we do everything in our power to elevate Holocaust education and to get it into the hands and minds of future generations. Antisemitism is on the rise throughout the world. If we do not continue to keep the memory of the past alive and push the lessons of the Holocaust, they will soon be forgotten, and we will be doomed to repeat our history. As those of us who survived pass on, these tools, this technology, will continue to be our voice and our testimony.”
The completed project will include real-life footage and photos of Kristallnacht combined with Knobloch sharing the moments her family experienced before, during and after Kristallnacht in an immersive, interactive and virtual setting, allowing the user to experience Knobloch’s memories. Users will be able to engage in a Q&A, asking questions about Kristallnacht, Knobloch’s family and the Holocaust in general. A teaser video of the Kristallnacht VR project has been released at www.claimscon.org/brokenglass. The full immersive VR experience and accompanying education materials will be released in 2024.
Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, said, “The time is fast approaching when we will soon lose first-hand testimonies like Charlotte’s as this generation of Holocaust survivors continues to wane. It is critical that we find new and innovative ways to capture and share their experiences so that future generations can hear and understand the critical lesson of the Holocaust.”
UNESCO assistant director-general for education Stefania Giannini stated, “The November pogroms revealed the true nature of Nazi policy against Jews. For many, it marked the beginning of the end. Voices like Charlotte Knobloch’s remind us of our duty to remember, learn and educate about the Holocaust so that it will never be forgotten.”
Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said, “The haunting legacy of Kristallnacht serves as a stark reminder of the profound implications it had for the Jewish people, leading to the darkest chapters of the Holocaust. Given the recent tragic events of Hamas’ October 7th terror attack, which claimed the lives of over 1,400 Jews, this project is more crucial now than ever. By immersing individuals in Charlotte Knobloch’s experiences, we emphasize the importance of remembering our past and using it as a reference point to combat hate and ensure such horrors are never repeated.”
For more information, visit www.claimscon.org.
