The Michigan Senate session on April 24, 2025, featured a poignant discussion on the significance of Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, amid rising antisemitism in the United States. A senator shared a harrowing account of the MS St. Louis, a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939, which was denied entry to Cuba and ultimately turned away by the United States.

The senator recounted the events of Kristallnacht in late 1938, when violent pogroms against Jews erupted in Germany and Austria, leading to widespread destruction of Jewish businesses and synagogues. This marked a critical moment for many German Jews, prompting tens of thousands to flee. The MS St. Louis, one of the last vessels to leave Germany before World War II, sought refuge for its passengers but faced hostility in Cuba, where a large anti-Semitic rally occurred. When the ship arrived in Cuba, the government refused entry, leaving the passengers in a desperate situation.

The senator highlighted the subsequent efforts of Jewish organizations in the U.S. that advocated for the passengers, drawing significant media attention. While some European countries accepted a portion of the refugees, many of those who were not admitted ultimately perished in the Holocaust.

Reflecting on this history, the senator emphasized the importance of remembering these events as a lesson against intolerance and discrimination. Despite the United States being a safe haven for Jews today, the senator warned against complacency in the face of rising hate crimes and urged the need to listen to marginalized voices. The discussion underscored the ongoing relevance of the lessons from the MS St. Louis, advocating for a commitment to freedom, liberty, and the welcoming of immigrants seeking refuge.