My Most Memorable Visit to Berlin

On November 9, 1938, Kristallnacht, the life of our family was forever changed and my childhood abruptly ended. We had lived in comfort on Meranerstrasse, just off Bayerischer Platz. My father was a successful businessman. He loved his family, enjoyed his success, which he always shared with others less fortunate, and took great pride in his leadership role in our beautiful synagogue, located on the Prinzregentenstrasse – the last of the great synagogues built in Berlin.

He took great pride in his recognition by the community at large and especially the Jewish community to which he was totally committed. I always enjoyed our Sunday walks around Bayerischer Platz, sitting on a park bench as neighbors and friends greeted my father. That too changed in a brutal fashion during 1938 as various park benches were painted yellow and boldly marked “Only For Jews.” Sitting on a bench now would invite taunts and worse yet, stoning by Hitler Youth.

My father, like others of that time,


John H. Lang
Chiffre 107102